about your health. To lower your risks for fatal and debilitating diseases, you need to know what is going on inside your body.

However, you may find that it is not always easy to talk with your doctor.

Sometimes the "medical terms'' are confusing. Sometimes you forget to ask the questions you had, before or while sitting in the waiting room.

To make sure that you get quality time with your doctor and that you leave the office with the information needed to help control your health risks; follow these tips: 1: Write information and questions down ahead of time so you don't forget them during your visit. These include family history, weight loss or gain, alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, diet, exercise or any physical complaints (such as colds) and observations (such as no relief with cold medicines). If the doctor should interrupt you, simply return to your list and continue until all points are covered.

2: If you are confused by medical terms, ask that the diagnosis be explained in common everyday words. "Conjunctivitis'' may not mean as much to you as "inflammation of the eye'' may mean to you.

3: As that test results be explained to you. Find our your numbers so that you can compare them with the normal levels. The normal level for blood pressure is less than 140/90 mg. Hg., for cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dl and for blood sugar is 80-120 mg/dl. Find out what the doctor means when he says, "just a little elevated,'' "borderline'' or "just a touch of.'' Find out if these sayings mean that the test results are a temporary finding or whether you have to be careful in certain lifestyle choices so that future tests results favour the normal levels.

4: If medication is prescribed, be sure you understand the doctors instructions before you leave the office. Ask why medication is needed, how long it is needed, the side effects, allergic reaction symptoms, and how soon should symptoms improve.

Be honest with your doctor. If you are having problems taking your medication, or cannot afford it or feel unwell after taking it, do not stop taking the medication without the doctors knowledge. Immediately, explain to your doctor the problem you are having with the medication. The dose may be adjusted or another medication may be prescribed that is in a different form or that may cost less.

5: In the case of treatments and surgery, you will need to find out the benefits and risks. Inquire if there are other treatments available. In the case of radical treatment and surgery, inquire if a referral to another physician can be provided for a second opinion. Find out if surgery is provided on an outpatient basis, and if not, how long and how much will hospitalisation be and cost? Finally, be a partner with your doctor and other members of the health care team. Help your doctor to do the best possible job by asking questions, understanding and following instructions, expressing concerns and fears and keeping regular checkup appointments. Also, your doctor will most likely have a nurse or refer you to a dietitian who can help give you excellent information.

Mellonie Barnum-Branco, RD Government Nutritionist.