Do you keep a health journal? If no, then we share with you why it is important to maintain a health journal or a diary and how you can go about it. Maintaining a health journal or diary is the best way to keep track of relevant information about your wellness in general. Most people keep it to monitor the progression of a disease they are suffering from. But even if you do not have a chronic condition, and you are a perfectly healthy person, you can maintain one. This will help you to monitor your health at home and also prepare for any health crisis that may arise in the future. All you have to do is be honest and accurate, and be cautions about self-treatment. Here are some tips to maintain a health journal. (ALSO READ Healthy Fat for your Body: Signs that your Body Needs More Healthy Fat).
The first step is to jot down basic health information such as your birth date, height, weight and blood type. Also mention if you have any allergies. Do not forget to mention in the journal about your smoking or alcohol-drinking habits or any other form of addiction. If you underwent any kind of treatment or past surgeries, they also need a mention in your health diary. Jot down any past and present medication that the doctor has prescribed.
Now that you have written down everything about your basic health information, also write about your family’s medical history. If there is a history of heart diseases, Alzheimer’s, mental disorders or any other major health complications, it should be noted in your health journal. Do not forget to mention which side of the family it is from and if you remember any other specifics.
One of the most important things about maintaining a health journal is to write down everything honestly and accurately. So, write down how you are feeling for things as simple as slight pain, weakness or something as big as difficulty in breathing. Be specific while writing about the condition. Also write what did you do in response to what you felt. If you begin to see a downward trend regarding your health, seek medical attention.
You can use this health journal or diary to keep track of all your medical appointments. You can jot down your doctor’s appointment and post the consultation you can also write down about the prescribed medicines and the reactions you had to the treatment or medication. Make sure you mention about the health journal to your friends and close relatives and also take it along with you whenever you are travelling.
If you think maintaining a diary will take up a whole lot of time, you can always do it on your phone or laptop. This will make it more convenient for you, to keep the health journal updated all the time.
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