Getting answers from the doctor

The interactions seniors have with their doctors is the subject of three recent studies, with the focus on encouraging patients to ask more questions.

In the studies, some patients were coached far in advance of the doctor visit about what questions to ask. This didn't result in much change during the actual visits, however. Other patients were given pamphlets and coached right before the visit. This encouraged patients to ask more and better questions; therefore they got more out of the visit.

Our time with our doctors is limited, but we can prepare in advance to get the most out of the time we have.

Write down your questions ahead of time and makes notes when you get each answer. If you don't understand an answer, ask for clarification. Rule of thumb: In the doctor's office, there's no such thing as a stupid question. If you have a question, ask it. If you have a concern, voice it.

Here are some specific questions you might need to ask:

What could be causing my problem? What tests can be given to find out? What are my treatment options? Are there any risks? Will any of my current medications conflict with new medications? What are the side effects? Do I need to be screened for any chronic diseases?

Make notes, too, about the things you need to tell your doctor so he or she has the full picture. Be sure to mention any extra stresses in your life, because sometimes those can cause physical symptoms.

In one study, it was determined that a patient could talk for about 30 seconds before the doctor interrupted. Don't let that happen to you. You need to have your questions answered.

Dark Chocolate Is Good for Us

I knew that someday they'd figure this out: Chocolate is good for us!

I ran across a few studies about chocolate and blood pressure. It appears that dark chocolate -- not milk chocolate or white chocolate -- lowers blood pressure.

In one study, test subjects (with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension) received either dark chocolate or white chocolate for 18 weeks. At the end of that time, they switched to the other chocolate. The results showed that while they were on the dark chocolate, blood pressure was lowered. The difference wasn't radical, but it was enough to decrease the expected rate of mortality from hypertension.

In another study the results were even more impressive, but the subjects were given more chocolate than any of us would normally want to eat.

Researchers think it's the polyphenol antioxidants in the cocoa that do the trick. And that makes sense. Dark chocolate has more antioxidants than raspberries, blueberries, cranberries or red grapes -- all the things they've been telling us to eat for the antioxidant health benefits. Even more, says the researcher in charge of the study, the polyphenols caused the body to increase nitric oxide, which makes blood vessels open, thus lowering blood pressure.

The problem, of course, is overdoing it. A chocolate bar can't take the place of hypertension medicine, and there's the issue of maintaining a balanced diet and not gaining weight.

If your doctor agrees it's good for you to have a small amount of dark chocolate every day, choose a brand with the highest cacao percentage you can find! The higher the percentage of cacao, the more polyphenols you'll be getting.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.