HOW TO KEEP A HEALTH JOURNAL

There are several reasons to keep a health journal. It can make switching doctors easier or be invaluable in the case of an emergency when you can’t give the information and doctors need to depend on others. If you have chronic health issues that doctors can’t solve, even though you’ve gone to several, consider keeping a health journal that includes your daily diet. Other options to add to your journal are previous illnesses, surgery, family medical history, allergies, and medications you take.

DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE FAMILY HISTORY.

It might not seem significant, but noting your family history of serious diseases is important. Some conditions or illnesses run in families. Aortic aneurysms tend to run in families. If one parent had an aneurysm, it increases your chances of having one. If both parents had aortic aneurysms tell your doctor so he sets up a schedule of periodic testing.

YOUR DIET CAN TELL YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR A LOT.

If you track your food intake and note when you feel bad or good, you have a lot of health information listed. If you notice every time you have dairy that you get digestive issues, you might have solved the mystery of why you get sick. Just cut out dairy for a few weeks and you’ll know if you have a problem with lactose intolerance or even a milk allergy. If you can’t lose weight and firmly believe you aren’t eating that much, tracking your food intake can back up your belief or help show you the truth.

INCLUDE ADVANCED DIRECTIVES.

Advanced directives can include the healthcare power of attorney, DNR orders, organ donor wishes, and the healthcare power of attorney. People usually think their spouse automatically makes their medical decisions if they can’t, but that’s not always the case, especially in severe cases. Parents and children can take steps to stop spouses from doing what they believe is best. Having advanced healthcare directives with your wishes written helps your chosen healthcare POA to make tough decisions.

• Choose the old-fashioned type of journal that’s a book and write everything down, or keep it on notes in your phone. Always let a family member or your medical power of attorney know you have a journal and where it is.

• Record pain as you experience it. Include the type of pain, such as sharp or dull, and the specific area where it occurred. It helps identify why you have pain when you go to the doctor’s office later when your memory might be foggy.

• Do you have a reoccurring issue that you’ve found a way to control You can help identify the problem by writing down your solution so the doctor can help eliminate it permanently.

• Don’t forget to track your fluid intake, particularly your water intake. It can help you remember to hydrate more frequently. You track all fluid or break it down into categories, isolating water intake.

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