This includes the legal stuff, of course, like alcohol and cigarettes.
Heres what our panel of MDs had to say.
So, should you tell your doctor you smoke weed?
And what about other substances?
What I always tell folks is that physicians went to medical school.
We have a specialized medical knowledge that we ultimately use to keep you healthy.
a board-certified family medicine physician and District Medical Director at One Medical in North Carolina
So I encourage people to tell their doctors about every substance.
double-check you share that with your doctor as well.
You want to share any supplements you take.
Nutritional supplements, how much caffeine and alcohol you consume, and other drugs.
There are some that people may not think to share.
Im not the police, Im your doctor.
Were not here to admonish people.
Were here to help you.
Divesh Goel, MD
You should tell your doctor everything!
a board-certified family medicine physician and District Medical Director at One Medical in North Carolina
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
Everybody can Google things or read articles, but doctors study it.
Were not here to admonish people.
Our point of view is really to consult for you.
Were here to help you.
An open conversation with your physician is vital to help your doctor understand you as a person.
And to help them understand how to best make recommendations.
Could you still tell them that you tried it once?
I would always recommend to share with your doctors what supplements you are taking.
Many times those supplements could have interactions with prescription medications.
Doctors have good reasons for quizzing you on your substance useand no, its not just nosiness.
(Nor do they generally care about the legality of what youre using.
Rather, doctors ask because many substances have health implications.
Take vitamins, for example: Some can interact with prescribed meds, according to theMayo Clinic.
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