People frequently develop routines in their behavior. If you’re neglecting your health because of limited time or energy, financial concerns, fear of outcomes, or simply favoring immediate pleasure over long-term gains, it’s important to recognize and tackle this mindset as it can harm your overall wellbeing. Here are five health mistakes to avoid with some jokes to guide you through this serious topic.
Mistake #1: Avoiding or Postponing a Doctor’s Visit
A patient walks into the doctor’s office and says, “Doc, I’m horribly sick!” The doctor looks at the patient and says, “Flu?” The patient replies, “No, I drove here…”
National Doctor’s Day is observed in March, specifically on the 30th of the month. Per AMA, “This annual observance serves as a moment to honor the dedication, skill, and unwavering commitment of physicians in providing high-quality health care to individuals and communities worldwide.” However, your doctor cannot help you unless you are willing to honor your own health needs as well.
Going to the doctor is a pretty common experience, but as people grow older, they frequently avoid or postpone their visits. When you skip medical appointments, such as annual wellness checks, your health escapes your control and makes the work of your doctor more challenging. Showing respect for yourself and your doctor means attending your appointments regularly and as deemed appropriate.
Many people dislike going to the doctor. Crowded waiting rooms, uncomfortable paper gowns, answering numerous questions, stepping on the scale, and enduring examinations can feel unappealing. Additionally, dealing with insurance, deductibles, referrals, and the cost of copays or office charges can be discouraging. Despite these inconveniences, seeing your doctor is important on many levels.
Regular visits help establish a detailed record of your health, which is valuable for both disease prevention and overall wellness. Some people mistakenly assume their health depends solely on external factors like genetics. Health is also shaped by what experts refer to as “actionable choices,” such as going to the doctor for care, living a healthy lifestyle, and getting tests necessary for wellbeing.
Other actionable choices include proactively managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar which prevent damage to arteries, kidneys, and the heart. Harvard Health describes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and highlights five key areas to a longer life “…chosen because prior studies have shown them to have impact on risk of premature death.” These areas contribute significantly to long-term health and longevity, and include not smoking, limiting alcohol, monitoring weight, staying physically fit, and eating a healthy diet.
It’s important to recognize your doctor as your partner in health and wellness. During physical examinations, doctors will likely discuss the lifestyle choices you make to help achieve your health goals and support you in living longer in good health. Individuals who are dissatisfied with the service provided by their current healthcare professional should not refrain from seeking medical attention. It is advisable to explore alternative providers who may better address healthcare requirements.
If you’re skipping your appointments due to financial problems, there are a few steps you can take. Talk to the medical staff at your doctor’s office to determine your health care coverage based on your private insurance or health benefits from Medicaid, Medicare, or Veteran’s Administration. Some doctors may agree to charge the patient the exact amount that Medicare will bear, or patients may inquire about installment payments or bill negotiations.
Other options for medical coverage include adding other insurance policies to fill the gaps, applying for low-cost health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace, signing up for clinical trials, or calling local community health centers to inquire about low-cost or free basic, preventative, and chronic care health offerings. Some hospital bills may be negotiable, and people can apply for debt forgiveness if they are unable to work out a payment plan. Local walk-in clinics may help patients apply for free or low-cost health insurance or other possibilities for care.
For those physically unable to get to your doctor’s office, ask a family member or friend to drive you, use public transportation offering free or low-cost rides for eligible seniors and the disabled, or check with your local community service(s) for free or low-cost rides. Ride shares, such as Uber, may also offer senior accounts and additional support for those with accessibility requirements. In some areas, commercial accounts associated with senior centers are available, helping older individuals get to the important places they need to go – like doctor appointments.
Mistake #2: Failing to Fill or Skipping Medications
Patient: “Doctor, doctor, I’ve got a strawberry in my ear!” Doctor: “Don’t worry, I have cream for that!”
Doctors often come to the rescue by prescribing medications that can treat health conditions or reduce pain. People should only take medications that are prescribed for them and not share with others due to the potential for dangerous side effects. FDA advises, “Take your medicine regularly and follow your health care professional’s instructions. If you’re having bothersome side effects or have other questions about your medication, talk to a health care professional.”
Skipping medications or failing to take them as prescribed is dangerous and can lead to the worsening of one’s health. FDA also explains that for the best medicine in the world to work, a person must take it correctly. “For example, many antibiotics must be taken for the full length of the time prescribed even after your symptoms go away. Otherwise, you risk the infection returning and in more severe form.”
People often don’t intend to stop taking medication. Those who have trouble remembering how and when to take medications should talk with their doctor or pharmacists to gain a management plan. Or, if possible, ask a trusted friend or family member for assistance in taking medications, setting up reminders on your iPhone health app, or creating logs to make sure medications are taken at the right time.
If medications are stopped due to lack of affordability, talk to your doctor regarding insurance coverage. Sometimes, something as simple as switching to a generic brand can save you money. Other times, discounts can be gained through programs such as TrumpRx.gov, a federal website launched in 2026 by the Trump Administration designed to help consumers find discounted access to expensive name brand prescription drugs, or www.GoodRx.com for prescription savings.
Mistake #3: Avoiding or Postponing Bloodwork
Why did the phlebotomist go to art school? To learn how to draw blood.
Regular blood workups are an important part of one’s overall medical care. But why is bloodwork important? Per Healthline, blood tests help doctors diagnose a variety of health conditions, including infections, anemia, high cholesterol, vitamin deficiencies, organ failure, HIV, cancer and diabetes. They provide a picture of your overall health and help doctors diagnose different diseases, monitor chronic health conditions, assess your organ function, and determine your immune system strength.
Bloodwork provides doctors and patients with a way to track wellness. Healthline explains that doctors use blood tests to analyze substances like proteins, cells, or chemicals in the blood. Some common tests that people can expect include a Complete Blood Count (CBC) that check red and white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume. Doctors may use this test to detect things like infection, anemia and clotting issues. A Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) evaluates blood chemistry, checking levels of compounds of the blood including calcium, glucose, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. Doctors may use this to evaluate kidney function, electrolyte balance, blood sugar levels or monitor chronic health conditions. These blood tests may be ordered together as part of a physical examination.
Some blood tests require fasting, meaning that patients must refrain from consuming food and beverages (with the general exception of water) for typically 8 to 12 hours before blood is drawn. Patients should ask their doctors for specific instructions and follow up on the results. Lab results are important as they help doctors analyze, diagnose, monitor and treat medical conditions and are beneficial for disease prevention. Therefore, people should not skip foundational or specialized bloodwork.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Essential Tests
Why did the doctor laugh at the x-ray? Because it was humerus.
Many routine health tests are based on health risks. For those over 50, screenings target early detection of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other age-related conditions. Routine tests like blood pressure can be done at a general practitioner’s office, while specialized screenings—such as colonoscopies, mammograms, skin cancer checks, and some eye or hearing exams—often require referrals to specialists. These are experts who focus on specific aspects of health and can provide optimal services.
Colonoscopy is an important diagnostic tool for detecting colorectal cancer. Nobody wants to get it done, but it’s an essential test that most people require at some point in their lives. Skipping this all-important examination is ill-advised as it is the primary tool for preventing – not just detecting – colorectal cancer. The procedure can remove precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. However, delaying a colonoscopy can give polyps time to turn into cancer, thereby hindering the chance of recovery and increasing cancer-related mortality.
Other specialty tests like breast mammograms can also save lives. Like early colorectal cancer, there may be no symptoms of breast cancer in its earliest stages. Both colonoscopies and mammograms can catch cancer early and in their most curable stages. Individuals who heed their doctor’s advice by getting specialty tests done can experience significant risk reductions. However, missing these screenings may make it too late to make a difference should medical problems exist.
Per Columbia Surgery, insurance typically covers colonoscopies starting at age 45 and repeating every 10 years for average-risk individuals. They explain, “Many people avoid colonoscopies due to misconceptions, but colorectal cancer affects over 150,000 Americans annually, with 85% having no family history.” But they boast, “Despite past unpleasant experiences, advancement have made colonoscopy preparations more tolerable, offering a crucial opportunity to prevent colorectal cancer, which is highly treatable if detected early.”
Mistake #5: Ignoring Lifestyle Recommendations
Doctor: I’m sorry. I’m afraid you’re very ill. Patient: Can I have a second opinion? Doctor: Sure. You’re ugly, too!
When we think of doctors, treating illness, giving vaccines, or prescribing medicine often comes to mind. However, doctors also pay attention to their patient’s lifestyle and provide wellness recommendations. These are more than just mere suggestions but are grounded in medical science with the goal of positively influencing health outcomes. For instance, based on poor eating habits, a doctor may advise a patient to eat more fruit and vegetables. Or a doctor may instruct a patient with pre-diabetes to limit their sugar intake, tell a smoker to quit, or recommend weight-training exercise for someone who is losing muscle mass.
While lifestyle changes can be general, such as eating right and exercising, most doctors provide specific and actionable advice that their patients can follow, along with support needed to make it happen. Mental health is another area that medical practitioners address as part of a person’s overall wellness. Doctors might suggest therapy or recommend lifestyle changes like better sleep habits or mindfulness to help manage stress, along with actionable steps.
In response to the complexity of the human body and mind, doctors often apply a multidisciplinary approach to helping their patients. This means creating a team of doctors and specialists to work together to help patients. Depending upon circumstances, these professionals may apply a combination of methods to address health issues. For instance, a person receiving therapy may also benefit from medications and lifestyle changes to impact well-being rather than just one single treatment plan.
Summary of Five Health Mistakes to Avoid
How did the doctor cure the invisible man? He took him to ICU.
Many people avoid doctor visits due to time, cost, or discomfort, often waiting until they are unwell. However, regular checkups, tests, and vaccines can prevent health issues. Common mistakes include skipping appointments, neglecting medications, avoiding bloodwork and tests, and ignoring lifestyle advice, all which harm health. Building a proactive partnership with your doctor helps boost wellness and reduce risks – so it’s well worth your time and effort.
Disclosure: This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as a medical resource, advice, or substitute for professional healthcare.
