Family Health File

It's important for all of us to take charge of our health. One way to do that is to keep good written records of your medical history. The American Medical Association suggests setting up a health file for every member of the family. The information you can record in the file can include:

• shots and immunizations (Read about "Immunization")
• illnesses
• treatments
• hospitalizations
• medications

Your information on medications should include specific instructions for taking the medicine, along with any special precautions such as foods or other medicines to avoid. You can also ask your doctor for copies of any lab reports (Read about "Laboratory Testing") and include these with your records too.

When it comes to records on your medicines, the American Pharmaceutical Association suggests the following:

• Consistently use the same pharmacy. That way all of your medication records will be in one place.
• Let the pharmacist know if you are taking non-prescription drugs on a regular basis. They can add that to your record to watch out for interactions.
• Let the pharmacist know about reactions.

Don't forget to keep a list with all this information at home as well. (For a handy form you can use for this information, see our "Medical Information Printout")

Talking with your doctor

It's also important to keep the lines of communication open between you and your healthcare provider. Whenever you need to see a doctor, keep a log of any and all symptoms prompting the visit, including when the symptoms started, how frequently they occur, and when they seem more likely to happen. The more specific you are, the more you can help the doctor pinpoint the cause of the problem. For example, instead of just saying your stomach hurts, try to describe the type of pain, for example is it sharp or more like a dull ache.

Make a list of questions you want to ask too. The AMA suggests you make sure your questions get the most specific information possible. For example, if your doctor says you need more exercise, find out how much exercise, what type of exercise, how often you need to exercise, etc.

If you have a hard time remembering what the doctor says, you might want to make notes as you talk. Or bring a companion along with you. Asking questions and being actively involved can help ensure you get the kind of treatment and follow-up that will work best.

Related Information:

    Family Health History