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Don't drink coffee before a blood pressure test -

Avoid drinking coffee or any other caffeinated drinks at least within an hour before your appointment.

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Don't drink coffee before a blood pressure test -

Caffeine can increase your blood pressure, so the measurement won't be accurate.

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Don't smoke before a blood pressure test -

The same applies to tobacco products and over-the-counter decongestants.

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Don’t eat a high-fat meal before a blood test -

Especially if you don't usually eat high-fat meals. This can have an impact on the results.

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Don’t drink alcohol before getting your cholesterol tested -

Alcohol alters your triglycerides, so it's best to avoid consuming any 24 hours prior to a cholesterol test.

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Don’t eat sweets before getting your cholesterol tested - Sweets are also not a good idea before getting a cholesterol test, for the same reason.

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Don't eat at all if you're testing cholesterol and triglycerides levels -

If your cholesterol and blood sugar is getting tested, you should not eat for eight to 10 hours beforehand.

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Don't take cold medicine before seeing a doctor -

If you're sick, it's important for your physician to assess your symptoms as accurately as possible.

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Don't take cold medicine before seeing a doctor -

Medicines can have an impact on how you feel, on your blood pressure, and can ease your symptoms. This won't give the doctor a clear picture of your health.

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Don't get a manicure or pedicure before seeing a dermatologist -

Dermatologists can check your entire body, and this includes your nails.

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Don't get a manicure or pedicure before seeing a dermatologist -

Nails can give clues to a number of conditions, so it's important to keep them clean, without any kind of polish.

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Don't wear makeup when you see a dermatologist -

The same goes for makeup. Avoid anything that will cover your skin, so the doctor can spot any potential problems more accurately.

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Don't eat red foods before a colonoscopy -

Yes, that bowl of cherries can color your colon. So, just avoid any red and purple foods.

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Don't take iron supplements before a colonoscopy -

The same goes for iron supplements. You should also avoid these as iron can stain the walls of the colon.

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Don't ingest caffeine before stress tests -

Stress tests are designed to measure the condition of your heart. But if your stress test includes medicines such as adenosine or regadenosine, it's best to avoid caffeine. 

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Don't ingest caffeine before stress tests - This is because caffeine counteracts the medicine used to simulate stress during the test.

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Don't use deodorant before doing a mammogram -

Avoid using deodorant/antiperspirant on the day you're getting your mammography done. This is because most of them contain aluminium.

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Don't use deodorant before doing a mammogram -

On a mammogram, aluminium looks similar to breast calcifications, so it could be read as such, giving a false positive result.

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Don't cancel your gynecology appointment if you have your period -

It's okay. Gynos are used to it, so there is no need to be embarrassed about it. Even smear tests can now be done when the woman is menstruating.

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Don't cancel your gynecology appointment if you have your period -

The only exception is if you're seeing your gyno because of a specific thing that can be masked by your period (e.g. discharge).

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Don’t get dehydrated before a urine test -

Don't get too thirsty before a urine test as this can compromise the results.

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Don’t get dehydrated before a urine test -

Avoiding exercise that you're not usually used to do is also advisable, as this can lead to further dehydration.

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Don't abstain from having intimate relations before seeing an urologist -

Doing so won't have an impact on any urine, testicles, or prostate exams.

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Don't abstain from having intimate relations before seeing a gynocologist -

The same goes for women who have gyno appointments. Having intimate relations won't affect your Pap smear test, for instance.

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Do eat foods you normally eat before a checkup -

Don't change your eating habits before an appointment. It's important to have a clear picture of your diet and the impact it has on your health.

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Do eat foods you normally eat before a checkup -

Even if you're worried about your cholesterol and blood sugar, changing eating habits for a few days probably won't have a big impact, so you might as well just eat as you normally would.

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Do drink water before a checkup -

It's important to be hydrated before getting a physical.

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Do drink water before a checkup -

Being dehydrated can have an impact on your pulse and blood pressure, so make sure you drink enough water.

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Do write down your questions before the appointment -

It's normal to be nervous when you have a medical appointment, so it's better to think ahead and write down any questions beforehand.

See also: Bizarre medical facts you won’t believe are true.

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