Year-End Pop Quiz! (December 27, 2016)
Since we are all successfully ending another calendar year (“success” being defined rather loosely here), this seems like a good time for a little test on 2016’s newsletters. And since the only good test is a multiple-choice test, that is what we will have. So! 1) When you and your doctor have figured out what your problem is, but you don’t like his/her solution to it, you: a) Do it anyhow, because doctors are so much smarter than regular people. b) Don’t do it, but you don’t do anything else either. Because what the hey, it doesn't hurt that much yet. c) Research your problem on the internet and go with whatever sounds the most magical and exciting. d) Tell your doctor that no way you are going to do THAT, and that you need his/her help in devising a plan that you CAN do, or you are just going to bag the whole thing and go to a crystal healer instead. 2) You want to switch from your perfectly good medical doctor to a new one you know nothing about because your copayment will be less with the new guy. Thoughts? a) You have to economize somewhere, and you’re darned if it will be on your daily Starbucks. b) Doctors are mostly all the same, and you won’t have to drive as far now. c) The receptionist at the old place looked at you funny the last time you were there, so who cares. d) Medical malpractice is the third biggest cause of death in the United States, and to trade a doctor you know is good for a mystery doctor because of a few dollars is the ultimate in stupid economies. 3) Which one of the following four statements is TRUE? a) When you get tired of fooling with a health issue, some kind of surgery will fix it for good. b) It is better to take medication than an herb or vitamin. After all, you're really sick. c) No matter what the problem, you should go straight to a specialist. d) Unless you've got an urgent situation, starting with the most conservative care for something is usually the best plan. 4) The best program to follow to lower your chances of dying prematurely by 80% is to: a) Quit going to the doctor altogether. b) Do everything that Dr. Oz recommends. c) Do everything that Durk Pearson recommends. (Is he still around?) d) Don’t smoke, follow the federal recommended guidelines for exercise, keep your BMI in normal range, and eat good food (not too much, mostly plants). 4) Which one of the following four statements is FALSE? a) Considering the marginal diets that so many people have, taking a multivitamin is very cheap insurance. b) Substituting a healthy snack for an unhealthy one is an easy way to improve one’s diet. c) McDonald’s french fries are the yummiest fast food fries. d) We get so many nutrients from our ample diets that almost no one actually has any vitamin or mineral deficiencies. 5) What does taking selfies have in common with medical procedures? a) People do way too many of them. b) No one but you cares about yours. c) Relative risks (in the former case, for example, a photo that 20 people might Like versus possibly plummeting to your death) are often not considered. d) All of the above are true. 7) Three of the following questions should always be asked before taking either an herbal medicine or a pharmaceutical drug. a) Would a change in diet or lifestyle have the same (or better) effect as buying and swallowing this new substance? b) First, HOW does the thing work -- second, is this something that I actually want to do to myself? c) What evidence is there that this works at all? d) Do I know someone at work with this Exact Same Problem who has a better suggestion? d) is the answer you’re looking for each time here, of course. And, wow -- you read ALL THAT STUFF last year? Congratulations! I hope it was enjoyable, and that it was worth your time. And may you have the best New Year ever! --dr. diane holmes Copyright © 2016 |