Things You Should Never Do Before Going To The Doctor

Let's try a little experiment: Take a moment to think about how many different types of doctors exist in the U.S. And really think about this in terms of specialties and medical focuses. Do you have your number? Okay, now here's the answer. According to the Association of Medical Colleges' website, in the United States there are more than 135 specialties and subspecialties in the medical industry. These range from pediatrics to geriatrics and can be as broad as general surgery to as specific as orthopaedic surgery of the spine. So it's not surprising that different doctors may require you to take different types of tests and procedures.

However, sometimes patients forget there isn't a blanketed approach for preparing for a doctor's appointment or diagnostic test, regardless of what you're having done. For some, you'll have to fast. For others, you might only need to avoid certain foods. And in some cases, you may have to skip a regular part of your daily routine even if you're just going for a general checkup. Can all this be a bit inconvenient? Honestly, yes, but the trade off is you increase your chances of more accurate and more helpful medical care. Let's take a look at some of the things you should never do before going to the doctor.

For many, coffee is an absolutely essential part of their morning routine. Whether it's brewed at home or by a local barista, that cup of joe becomes especially important for non-morning people who need to be alert early in the day. So if you have an early doctor's appointment, why not have a little caffeine?

Unfortunately, coffee can throw off a test done at most standard checkups. "Using coffee or other caffeine such as energy drinks or colas within an hour of having your blood pressure measured can make the number artificially higher," Dr. James Dewar, physician and vice chairman of family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, explained to East Lakeland OB/GYN Associates, PA. 

If you really crave your cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning, you might want to bring it in a travel mug. This way, you can enjoy it immediately after your appointment. Or, you can run a quick search for coffee shops near your doctor's office. 

There's an old saying that goes "never let them see you sweat." When it comes to getting a mammogram, however, a little perspiration (and, yes, even odor) may be a fair trade off to avoid being misdiagnosed with cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, you should not wear antiperspirant or deodorant before a mammogram because they can appear as white spots on an x-ray. And even if this mistake is cleared up, just briefly thinking you may have cancer or having to get a second mammogram can be extremely stressful for both you and your loved ones. Consider thoroughly washing your underarms before getting dressed for your screening to make sure there's no deodorant residue remaining.

Once the procedure is over, you can, of course, resume wearing deodorant. But if you're still concerned about looking and smelling a bit ripe, try putting a gauze pad under each arm to absorb at least some of your sweat and help minimize any concerning odors. And for your comfort, don't schedule a mammogram the week before your period when your breasts may be tender and swollen.

Do you like orange juice in the morning? How about a red-colored electrolyte drink after a workout? If these are some of your favorite beverages, then get ready to go without them the next time you have a colonoscopy.

According to Healthline, there are different preps, depending on why a person is having a colonoscopy, but as Dr. Ashkan Farhadi said, "I tend to prefer a whole day of a liquid diet for everyone." However, all this prep to help clear your bowels means what you do drink and eat (Jell-O is allowed on the liquid diet) is not absorbed like it normally would be because your body is processing it faster. So, if the liquids in your liquid diet are red or orange, they'll still look red or orange in the colon and could be confused for blood.

If you feel like you can't go without a sports drink after a workout, Dr. Farhadi tells Healthline that green- or yellow-colored ones are safe before a colonoscopy. And don't be afraid to ask you doctor if certain foods are allowed before your procedure especially if you have other health concerns like diabetes or hypoglycemia.

For many, a nice manicure and/or pedicure is a pampering treat in what can be a very stressful world. But did you know a little nail polish can mask one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer from your dermatologist?

As Dr. Alexa Boer Kimball, director of dermatology clinical trials at Massachusetts General Hospital, tells Shape, "Patients should take their nail polish off if they're having a skin check, since moles [and melanomas] sometimes hide underneath the nails." And as the Mayo Clinic explains, melanoma, an extremely serious form of skin cancer, sometimes occurs on skin that has no moles and appears completely normal and healthy. Plus, the darker your skin tone, the more at risk you are to develop melanoma on your fingernail beds or in other less obvious places like the soles of your feet.

In addition to cleaning off your nail polish, you should bring along any beauty products you're using that you think could be the culprits for a skin allergy or irritation (via Shape). This includes sunscreen, so your dermatologist can either rule it out as the source of a problem or recommend another brand.

While some people opt for chocolate and other sweets when they're nervous, others go the opposite way and crave comfort foods like potato chips. But if your doctor is helping you manage hypertension, then salty goodies are not a good idea.

According to Medical News Today, hypertension, or what is commonly called high blood pressure, can lead to some serious medical problems, including strokes and heart attacks. While normally your blood pressure goes down a little after eating, the reverse happens if you eat foods high in salt. So unless you're choosing low-sodium potato chips, canned soups, sauces, or ready meals, you could be artificially spiking your blood pressure right before a doctor's appointment.

If you're dealing with hypertension, you might want to start a food journal and share it with your doctor. And if you have any doubts about something you're eating, don't be afraid to ask questions and show your doctor food labels. Will that add a little time to your appointment? Yes, but it might also help your doctor fine-tune your treatment and avoid health issues down the road.

You're running late and need to cut down on your morning routine to make it out the door on time. Some things are simple to substitute, like opting for an energy bar instead of a cooked breakfast. But what about mouthwash? In all likelihood, you're planning on still using it especially if you have to go without flossing, but you might want to instead endure a little morning breath if you're on your way to take a drug test.

As WebMD explains, products that give you fresh, clean breath may contain a type of alcohol called ethanol, which can throw off a drug test's results. Okay, sure that could happen with a breath or blood test, but what about the kind that analyzes your urine? After all, you're not supposed to drink mouthwash. Nevertheless, that trace amount of ethanol can raise red flags even on a urine drug test.

And the bad new doesn't stop there. If you regularly use hand sanitizers that contain alcohol (and who doesn't these days?), you could also have false positives on your drug test (via WebMD). It's very important to read your products' labels.

We've all heard the importance of quitting smoking. In fact, it can have a very positive impact on many aspects of your health, ranging from your blood pressure to your cholesterol levels (via WebMD). Continuing to smoke, on the other hand, means any surgeries you need are more complicated than they would be for a non-smoker.

Pulmonologist Humberto Choi told the Cleveland Clinic, "Smoking before surgery puts you at a higher risk for postoperative heart attacks, blood clots, pneumonia and even death." Dr. Choi continued, saying, "Anesthesiologists have to work harder to keep smokers breathing while under anesthesia, fighting against lungs compromised by cigarette smoke." Plus, wounds tend to heal slower for smokers than non-smokers.

Although there are many benefits to quitting smoking, nicotine addiction can be very difficult to deal with alone. Make no mistake, there are withdrawal symptoms, which can include trouble sleeping and changes in mood, and in some cases withdrawal can even be mistaken for the flu. Nevertheless, they are temporary.

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with quitting smoking, help is available. Visit the smokefree.gov or contact 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669).