One Little Lie Forms One Large Consequence

When it comes to human nature, there is one glaring flaw that seems to become even the best of us. When we are in the presence of authority, we lie. For example, in a doctor/patient setting we may, in some twisted way, end up signing our death wish by not tracking and talking about our health and habits to our doctors because we fear judgement and feel ashamed. We give medical care providers either too little information or the wrong information and this can be deadly. Not knowing or withholding any medical history, eating and social habits and overall feeling of health could very well cut lifespan years shorter.

In 2004, there was a poll taken at WebMD collecting data about patient lies. The results were as follows:

 Of 1,500 responders to a 2004 online survey by WebMD, 45% admitted they hadn't always told it exactly like it was -- with 13% saying they had "lied," and 32% saying they had "stretched the truth."

Not included in those figures would be patients who "lie" without knowing they do so by withholding information because it slips their mind or they have no idea it could be useful. (Maybe Aunt Agnes would gladly tell about the time she snored so loud she woke the neighbors if she knew that a diagnosis of sleep apnea could depend on it.)[1]

One of the most notable, unquantified numbers in there: the 'lies' in which past medical history was forgotten or withheld. Chances are, the forgotten truth could be the most pertinent truth. This is why it is very important to spend the time backtracking medical history and collecting the data into a Personal Health Record. Even things such as slight color changes on features of the body, when ignored or not tracked for further developments could be fatal.

The truth be told, we as humans are complex and susceptable to breakdown in more ways than we can imagine. The practice of self-monitoring and reporting to medical care providers is one of the easiest and most proven ways to live a long happy life - even in spite of daily habits. Lastly, there's no need to fear judgement and persecution from care providers because if they did judge their patients, they would not be able to save the lives that they do.

A complete Personal Health Record could very well be your cheapest and safest route route through the healthcare system.Visit https://www.thesmartmedcard.com to begin tracking your health today.


Sources:
[1]"Do Patients Tell The Truth | Body of Lies: Patients Aren't 100% Honest with Doctors - Los Angeles Times." Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 08 June 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2011. <http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/08/health/he-lying8>.