Before Your Visit
Pro Tip
Keep a short symptom diary for a week: when symptoms start, how long they last, severity (0–10), triggers, and what relieves them.
Track the Basics
- Location: where it is (e.g., lower back, right temple, upper abdomen).
- Timing: when it started, how often, how long it lasts.
- Severity: 0–10 scale at its worst and typical.
- Quality: sharp, dull, pressure, throbbing, burning, cramping.
- Triggers & relief: foods, stress, activity, position, meds, rest, heat/ice.
- Related signs: fever, rash, nausea, weight change, shortness of breath.
During Your Visit
Use Clear Language
Short, concrete statements work best. Examples:
- "I get a tight pressure in the center of my chest after climbing stairs. It lasts 5–10 minutes and eases with rest."
- "The headache is throbbing behind my right eye. Bright light makes it worse; sleep helps."
- "The rash started on my wrists two weeks ago. It's itchy, worse with heat, and spreads after gardening."
Remember
It's okay to read from your notes. Your clinician wants the details so they can help.
After Your Visit
Next Steps
Record what was recommended (tests, referrals, medications) and how to follow up. Update your diary if symptoms change.
Important
Seek urgent care for red flags like severe chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness, confusion, heavy bleeding, or stroke-like symptoms.