Visiting the doctor can be embarrassing, even under the best of
circumstances. After all the poking and prodding that goes on and the
probing questions you have to answer, there's not much the doctor
doesn't know about you -- except, of course, for that one thing you're
too mortified to tell him.
Maybe it's an unsightly rash on your rear end, or a nagging itch in spot that's just not socially acceptable to scratch. Or perhaps it's something more internal, like a deep-seated, psychological urge to do something you'd be ashamed of. Embarrassing medical problems come in many varieties, and some can be life-threatening if left untreated. So while it may seem like a complete surrender of your privacy, giving up the goods when it comes to disclosing embarrassing issues -- like the 10 on this list -- to your doctor is often the best thing you can do for your health.
Jock Itch
Maybe it's an unsightly rash on your rear end, or a nagging itch in spot that's just not socially acceptable to scratch. Or perhaps it's something more internal, like a deep-seated, psychological urge to do something you'd be ashamed of. Embarrassing medical problems come in many varieties, and some can be life-threatening if left untreated. So while it may seem like a complete surrender of your privacy, giving up the goods when it comes to disclosing embarrassing issues -- like the 10 on this list -- to your doctor is often the best thing you can do for your health.
Jock Itch
This problem starts as a minor itch near the groin. Soon, it becomes a
major itch that drives you up the wall. Closer inspection of the
affected area reveals red, oozing and maybe even crusty skin. While this
may be a fine time to consult a doctor (as you should for any problem
down there), it's not an easy thing to mention, considering how
sensitive many people are about their private parts.
Officially known as tinea cruris, jock itch is a common condition caused by fungal growth, friction, heat and humidity. Usually, it starts out in the crease where your legs join your torso. Left unchecked, it can spread to your thighs, buttocks and genitals. In severe cases, untreated jock itch can cause ulcers, open sores, abscesses and even skin infection.
Though this problem usually affects men, women can get jock itch as well, and non-sporty slackers of either gender can get it despite the "jock" tag. It occurs when the skin is moist and warm (for example, when you're sweating after a brisk run), creating an ideal environment for the fungi, which are always present on your skin, to thrive. But it can also spread from person to person through towel- and clothes-sharing.
Call up your doc for a quick consult as soon as you start noticing symptoms, and usually he or she can help you treat jock itch through the use of antifungal sprays and lotions, or with prescribed antifungal pills.
Lack of Libido
Officially known as tinea cruris, jock itch is a common condition caused by fungal growth, friction, heat and humidity. Usually, it starts out in the crease where your legs join your torso. Left unchecked, it can spread to your thighs, buttocks and genitals. In severe cases, untreated jock itch can cause ulcers, open sores, abscesses and even skin infection.
Though this problem usually affects men, women can get jock itch as well, and non-sporty slackers of either gender can get it despite the "jock" tag. It occurs when the skin is moist and warm (for example, when you're sweating after a brisk run), creating an ideal environment for the fungi, which are always present on your skin, to thrive. But it can also spread from person to person through towel- and clothes-sharing.
Call up your doc for a quick consult as soon as you start noticing symptoms, and usually he or she can help you treat jock itch through the use of antifungal sprays and lotions, or with prescribed antifungal pills.
Lack of Libido
It's often taken for granted that sex is something people are
supposed to enjoy -- an idea that's well-supported in contemporary
society by a wealth of hypersexual advertising and other media. So a
decreased interest in sex can be difficult to bring up with anyone, even
your doctor.
And a lack of interest in sex doesn't even necessarily have to do with erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness, because those problems can exist along with a so-called "normal" sex drive. Although stress about these issues can certainly take their toll on your libido, it's possible to experience diminished sexual desire without any related physical conditions.
As much as you may dread broaching the topic, your doctor can help you determine if there's a medical (or lifestyle-related) reason behind your decreased interest in sex. For example, some common causes include:
Bad Breath
And a lack of interest in sex doesn't even necessarily have to do with erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness, because those problems can exist along with a so-called "normal" sex drive. Although stress about these issues can certainly take their toll on your libido, it's possible to experience diminished sexual desire without any related physical conditions.
As much as you may dread broaching the topic, your doctor can help you determine if there's a medical (or lifestyle-related) reason behind your decreased interest in sex. For example, some common causes include:
- Alcohol or drug use
- Prescription drugs use
- Obesity
- Sleep apnea
- A hormone imbalance caused by low testosterone or menopause
Bad Breath
If nobody seems to want to hear about much of anything from you
face-to-face, you may have a common problem that you should bring up
with your dentist: bad breath.
Even worse than discovering your own bad breath is having someone else bring it up to you (as they slowly back away). But that's often what's needed to even know there's a problem in the first place. Once it's brought to your attention, however, trying to ignore the issue won't prevent others from noticing your stinky breath.
Bad breath is often caused by smelly foods you eat, such as onions or garlic, but in those cases, the problem passes once your body has fully broken down the problem-causing item. If your embarrassing breath isn't food-related, finding out what is causing it could pay dividends to your dental -- and overall -- health. For example, bad breath can be a warning sign of a worsening cavity or gum disease. The sooner these issues are addressed, the higher your odds will be of saving teeth or preventing further damage to your gums.
While poor dental health may be the culprit, bad breath can also be a result of non-mouth-related health conditions such as diabetes, problems with your liver or kidneys, and respiratory tract issues. You'll want to address breath issues with your dentist first, then consult your doctor if you still don't have answers.
Self-inflicted Scars
Even worse than discovering your own bad breath is having someone else bring it up to you (as they slowly back away). But that's often what's needed to even know there's a problem in the first place. Once it's brought to your attention, however, trying to ignore the issue won't prevent others from noticing your stinky breath.
Bad breath is often caused by smelly foods you eat, such as onions or garlic, but in those cases, the problem passes once your body has fully broken down the problem-causing item. If your embarrassing breath isn't food-related, finding out what is causing it could pay dividends to your dental -- and overall -- health. For example, bad breath can be a warning sign of a worsening cavity or gum disease. The sooner these issues are addressed, the higher your odds will be of saving teeth or preventing further damage to your gums.
While poor dental health may be the culprit, bad breath can also be a result of non-mouth-related health conditions such as diabetes, problems with your liver or kidneys, and respiratory tract issues. You'll want to address breath issues with your dentist first, then consult your doctor if you still don't have answers.
Self-inflicted Scars
For some, the act of self-harming -- often through cutting or burning
-- serves as a means of coping with emotional distress or trauma, even
if the source of the trauma happened long ago. Those with major
depression or eating disorders sometimes do this as well.
Even if the underlying issue has been long-resolved, bringing up the subject of self-inflicted scars -- and how best to heal them -- can be extraordinarily difficult, since you'll likely bring attention to how you got them. The scarring itself is simply a biological function of your skin repairing damage by forming new collagen growth. While scars begin forming almost immediately after a person is wounded, they can also take a year or two to reach their final state. Early on, scars are typically dark and raised, but over time they will probably lighten in color and flatten out.
If you're willing to bring up the subject with your doctor, he or she can help you sort through various options for diminishing the severity of scars. Injections of a steroid called triamcinolone, for example, help the skin absorb the collagen and limit how much collagen is ultimately produced during the long healing process. For older scars, treatments with aloe vera may help. Silicone sheets applied over scars -- a technique often used following mastectomies or breast reconstruction surgeries -- also can help in healing. Dermabrasion -- removing the topmost layers of the skin in order to give it a smoother appearance -- may also be an option.
It's important to get professional medical advice about which treatment is best for you, rather than trying to self-treat. For instance, covering your scars with vitamin E may prevent rather than promote healing, contrary to popular belief. And if self-harming is an ongoing problem for you, a doctor can also direct you toward counseling and other treatment options, to help prevent further scarring of either the emotional or physical variety.
Addictions
Even if the underlying issue has been long-resolved, bringing up the subject of self-inflicted scars -- and how best to heal them -- can be extraordinarily difficult, since you'll likely bring attention to how you got them. The scarring itself is simply a biological function of your skin repairing damage by forming new collagen growth. While scars begin forming almost immediately after a person is wounded, they can also take a year or two to reach their final state. Early on, scars are typically dark and raised, but over time they will probably lighten in color and flatten out.
If you're willing to bring up the subject with your doctor, he or she can help you sort through various options for diminishing the severity of scars. Injections of a steroid called triamcinolone, for example, help the skin absorb the collagen and limit how much collagen is ultimately produced during the long healing process. For older scars, treatments with aloe vera may help. Silicone sheets applied over scars -- a technique often used following mastectomies or breast reconstruction surgeries -- also can help in healing. Dermabrasion -- removing the topmost layers of the skin in order to give it a smoother appearance -- may also be an option.
It's important to get professional medical advice about which treatment is best for you, rather than trying to self-treat. For instance, covering your scars with vitamin E may prevent rather than promote healing, contrary to popular belief. And if self-harming is an ongoing problem for you, a doctor can also direct you toward counseling and other treatment options, to help prevent further scarring of either the emotional or physical variety.
Addictions
Unless you actually show up intoxicated to a medical appointment, it
is possible to hide an addiction to drugs or alcohol from your doctor.
In fact, people with addictions often become quite adept at concealing
the condition from others -- especially from doctors who could
potentially be a source of habit-forming prescription medication.
However, talking to your doctor about an addiction may be the best thing you ever do for yourself. For starters, your doctor won't judge you. Instead, he or she can offer many options for confidential treatment, including referring you to an addiction counselor or inpatient facility. Also, with a more complete picture of your health, your doctor can better examine you to make sure substance abuse hasn't caused any damage to your body -- and help you with any physical symptoms of withdrawal.
If alcoholism is advanced enough, for example, you might actually need medical supervision to detox, or the process could be fatal. Delirium tremens, a serious reaction to alcohol withdrawal that affects your nervous system, can cause heart attacks and strokes.
Your doctor also can prescribe medications to help battle addiction, such as Naltrexone or Acamprosate, which can help curb cravings for alcohol. Disulfiram will make you physically unable to drink alcohol without becoming very sick. Medications such as clonidine and methadone can also be prescribed to aid in withdrawal from narcotics.
However, talking to your doctor about an addiction may be the best thing you ever do for yourself. For starters, your doctor won't judge you. Instead, he or she can offer many options for confidential treatment, including referring you to an addiction counselor or inpatient facility. Also, with a more complete picture of your health, your doctor can better examine you to make sure substance abuse hasn't caused any damage to your body -- and help you with any physical symptoms of withdrawal.
If alcoholism is advanced enough, for example, you might actually need medical supervision to detox, or the process could be fatal. Delirium tremens, a serious reaction to alcohol withdrawal that affects your nervous system, can cause heart attacks and strokes.
Your doctor also can prescribe medications to help battle addiction, such as Naltrexone or Acamprosate, which can help curb cravings for alcohol. Disulfiram will make you physically unable to drink alcohol without becoming very sick. Medications such as clonidine and methadone can also be prescribed to aid in withdrawal from narcotics.
No comments:
Post a Comment