What Questions Should I Ask A Podiatrist?

What questions should I ask a podiatrist? I get this sort of question from many of my friends who are suffering from foot pain. Some even wonder if it is something that can be treated at home, others are convinced that only a podiatrist can help them. What they don’t know is that there are some simple guidelines that they can follow in asking questions of their doctor or have any medical professional for that matter. If you are unsure of whether or not you need to make an appointment, contact Da Vinci Foot & Ankle.

The first guideline that I would recommend is that you don’t ask questions that might not help you. There are some medical conditions that will never go away by themselves, so the best way to deal with them is by taking them as they come. If your feet hurt all the time, you might want to ask the doctor if you can take ibuprofen. Most people don’t realize that the pain could be the result of an underlying medical condition. Don’t ignore this simple tip.

Next, be careful about the type of questions that you ask. One of the most common mistakes that people make is that they simply ask their doctor whatever pops into their heads. The problem here is that you shouldn’t assume that your doctor knows everything. Even if you think that you are getting good advice, don’t forget that you should still seek outside advice in order to verify what you heard. Sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Another important guideline to follow is to make sure that you ask questions that relate to your condition and not just your symptoms. For instance, if you have low back pain, don’t ask your podiatrist about the pain in your left foot. This is because your foot may be causing pain in your left leg. You should seek out other specialists such as an arthritis expert for this example.

Another important point to remember is that it’s okay to admit that you don’t know what’s wrong. Sometimes this is a necessary step in helping to figure out a proper diagnosis. If you can’t quite fathom why you’re in pain, ask questions until you get some better insight. For instance, if you can’t fathom why you have lower back pain, ask someone else. Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t fully understand something.

The important thing to keep in mind is that the best questions are those that bring out new and helpful information. If you are asking a question that doesn’t help your situation or your understanding of it, then you probably shouldn’t be asking it in the first place. Try to stay away from questions that ask for a “diagnosis”. Those are vague and can cause more confusion than help. Keep your questions specific and productive.