How to Keep a Health Diary

A health diary is a simple tool that helps manage and organize health-related information from vaccination dates to medical contact information to appointment reminders. Keeping track of records and sudden life style changes are particularly important when an illness or accident occur. Health diaries can be bought or downloaded online; personally made; and even recorded electronically on the computer and downloaded to an Ipod. It all depends on a personal preference; but they should all include the following sections and updated regularly.

Things You'll Need

• Health diary
• Medical records
• Medical contact information
• Health insurance information

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Instructions

Sections

• 1

  The first section should include all important contact information -- including your own. Additionally, it should also contain your insurance provider and policy number; primary doctor and any specialists; pharmacy and your first and second emergency person contact.

• 2

  The second section should contain all basic health information such as: date of birth, gender, weight/height, blood type, allergies, blood pressure, cholesterol level, blood sugar level, medication and any other medical conditions. Be sure to add lifestyle notes that include any allergies, present/previous addictions and smoking or drinking habits.

• 3

  Dedicate the third section to family medical history can be useful in determining a current medical condition or prevention. It is helpful to be specific and making notes to which relative had a certain condition and which side of the family the condition is prevalent.

• 4

  List all the healthcare appointments including the reason for the visit and the results in the fourth section. Also consider writing down any questions and concerns you have for your doctor before the appointment. Be sure to include current symptoms, any lifestyle changes that may contribute to the condition and be thorough with the appointment outcome, particularly if medication is prescribed.

• 5

  The fifth section should have records of any medication that have been prescribed in the past or in the present. Include all important information such as: reason, dosage, side-effects and the start/end dates. This section should also include information on any X-rays, procedures, surgeries and lab testing, as well as, the results. Also add the dates of all vaccinations and immunizations.