It’s more common to find people in Houston, TX, keeping a health journal as new people move in and the city grows. A health journal makes it easier to change doctors and is invaluable if something happens that you can’t communicate with others. Your medical history is ready for anyone who needs to know the information that might save your life. It can offer clues to identifying an elusive illness, by providing the symptoms you’ve experienced but might not remember during your visit.
Start with your family’s medical history.
Many conditions tend to run in families. Keeping a family history of common health problems like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, and stroke of blood relatives is information that you should record. Include the age your relative discovered it. If you don’t know the medical history of close relatives, call them and explain what you’re doing. Most people understand why you’re asking and may even ask for a copy of the information once you have gathered it. You can even create copies to share the history with other family members and create one for your children..
Record your health history, including all the medications you’re taking.
A health journal can tell others about your current medications. It can be lifesaving if you’re unable to speak or unconscious. You should also include OTC medications like vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements. Even special lotions and skin creams that contain ingredients that can soak through your skin, like CBD oil or medicated lotions, can interact with other therapies. Herbal remedies and other supplements can cause a reaction even though they may seem innocuous because they’re natural.
Include your childhood illnesses, current health issues, and past surgical procedures.
If you developed rheumatic fever as a child or had a severe case of strep throat, it’s worth noting, but you don’t have to list every sniffle or cold on your health history. List the traditional childhood illnesses. If you know that you’ve never had chickenpox, that’s important to list. You won’t be susceptible to shingles. Significant diseases to list are ones that caused hospitalization. Identify any chronic conditions that are still issues even if they are dormant and list any surgical procedures, especially ones with a negative outcome like excessive bleeding, complications, or a reaction to anesthesia.
- If you have a chronic health issue that nobody can identify, including a food journal in your health journal helps. Just record every bite of food you consume and include any reactions that may have occurred, like digestive issues.
- If you have a mysterious pain, log in when the pain occurs. Is it just when you’re lying down? Is it a sharp pain or dull pain? Did you eat anything before it started? Is it constant or intermittent?
- Sometimes, listing any home remedy that improves a chronic issue helps the doctor. It’s one more clue to work with. Note any OTC or remedy that worked.
- Your health journal can contain your healthcare power of attorney, DNR directives, and desires about donating your organs. It can be digital or on paper, just make sure family members know where it is at all times.
For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym