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Every person feels the symptoms of illness in different ways, so use words that are as specific, detailed, and descriptive as possible. This can help the doctor diagnose you and develop proper treatment. Adjectives can help the doctor understand how you feel. For example, if you have pain, explain it to your doctor by using terms such as dull, throbbing, intense, or piercing. You should never feel embarrassed discussing anything with a doctor. Be absolutely honest when you discuss your symptoms or medical history. Not telling your doctor everything relevant to your health may make it hard to diagnose your symptoms. Doctors get training for different kinds of medical conditions and contingencies. Symptoms that could embarrass you are probably something your doctor sees regularly. Don't be afraid to discuss things like STDs, rashes, or personal habits. Keep in mind that any information you give your doctor remains confidential by law. Many doctors will ask "What brings you to the office today?" Be honest and tell your doctor all your symptoms, which can give your doctor context and may help her more effectively diagnose any illnesses during your visit. Some common symptoms include:Pain, fatigue, Nausea, gastrointestinal distress, fever, respiratory issues, or headache. For example, you can tell your doctor "I've been experiencing headaches and persistent vomiting for the past couple of weeks." Describe your specific symptoms to the doctor, showing him where on your body where you are experiencing each ailment. This information may aid your doctor in making a definitive diagnosis and formulating possible treatment. Remember to use specific and descriptive vocabulary as much as possible. If you're having elbow pain, don't say it's on your arm, but point out to your doctor the exact spot on which you have the pain. It could be vital to describe to your doctor when your symptoms started and how often you experience them. This may help your doctor formulate possible diagnoses. Tell the doctor when your symptoms began, if and when they stop and how often you experience them. For example, "I haven't been able to keep any food down for the past two days." Tell your doctor how the symptoms are affecting you and your lifestyle. Other things to mention include what helps relieve symptoms, what makes symptoms worse, any treatments you have attempted, any specific medication or substances you have taken to help alleviated the problem. Include how much over-the-counter medication has been used, and how your symptoms responded to treatment. Tell the doctor if anything relieves or exacerbates your symptoms. She may be able to make a diagnosis and formulate potential treatment plan for you based on this information. For example, if you have pain, describe movement that makes the pain worse. You can describe this by saying "My ankle feels fine until I bend it towards my leg, and then I experience a sharp and shooting pain." Describe other situations or elements that make your symptoms worse. This includes food, drink, position, activity, or medication. Describe how bad your symptoms are using a numerical scale of one to ten. This may help your doctor more effectively diagnose your condition and may further indicate the severity of your condition. The severity scale should range from one having virtually no impact on you to ten being the most excruciating pain you can imagine. It's very important to tell your doctor if someone else you know or with whom you have contact is experiencing the same issues as you. This may help your doctor formulate a diagnosis and any alert her to potential public health issues.
Use specific, detailed, and descriptive vocabulary. Tell your doctor the truth. Summarize why you're seeing your doctor. Explain your specific symptoms and their location. Describe the beginning and regularity of your symptoms. Mention what alleviates or makes your symptoms worse. Rate how severe your symptoms are. Let your doctor know if others have the same symptoms.