When you have a health condition, understanding all the medicines you take is an important part of your treatment plan that will help you live better for the long term. If you don't understand them, you're missing out on a really important piece of the plan.

So here are three steps you can take today to get back on track.

First, make a list of all the medicines you are taking.

Include everything... prescription medicines, over-the-counter meds, even vitamins and herbal supplements. Next, write down why you need to take each one. Then add any concerns or questions you might have about each medicine, like side effects or cost.

And now that you've done your homework, it's time to take everything you've written down and talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

They are the experts on medicine... But you are the expert on you...

And what you want and think matter too. So have a serious conversation with one-or both-of them to understand all the medicines you need to take. Taking the right medicine and understanding why you're taking it will keep you on track for living better.