Guides

Short answers to the questions people ask before an appointment. To put your own notes on one page, use the free visit summary.

How to describe pain to your doctor

Prepare a note about where pain is, what it feels like, and when you first noticed it. Keep uncertain dates clear and bring your own questions.

How to keep a simple symptom diary

Use a notebook or phone note to record what you noticed and when you wrote it down. Keep remembered start dates separate from dated entries.

What to say when the doctor asks "when did it start?"

Explain what you remember about a symptom start date, use a range when needed, and distinguish the first symptom from the first written note.

What makes it better or worse: notes for your appointment

Intake forms ask what makes a symptom better or worse. Note what you were doing, what you tried, and what changed afterwards, with dates.

What to write down before your first physical therapy visit

Physical therapy intake forms ask when it started, how it started, where it is, how strong it is, and what makes it better or worse. Prepare short answers.

How to track symptoms on your iPhone

Three ways to track symptoms on an iPhone: a note, the Health app, or a symptom app. What to record each time, and how to keep the dates honest.

Free symptom diary template (printable PDF)

A free one-page symptom diary to print: date of the note, what you noticed, how strong, when it started, what was going on, and what to ask.

How to describe knee pain to your doctor

Words and prompts for describing knee pain: where on the knee, what it feels like, what makes it worse, and when it started.

How to describe a headache to your doctor

How to describe headaches clearly: where the pain is, what it feels like, how long it lasts, what was going on, and when they started.

How to describe back pain to your doctor

Words for describing back pain: upper, middle or lower back, one side or both, whether it spreads, what makes it worse, and when it started.

How to describe shoulder pain to your doctor

How to describe shoulder pain: front, top, side or back of the shoulder, which movements set it off, what it feels like, and when it started.

How to describe tooth pain to your dentist

How to describe tooth pain to a dentist: which tooth or side, what sets it off, what it feels like, how long it lasts, and when it started.

What to tell your doctor about diarrhea

What to write down before an appointment about diarrhea: how often, what it looks like, what you ate and drank, and when it started.

How to describe period pain to your doctor

How to describe period pain or cramps to a doctor: where you feel it, what it feels like, how strong it is, and when it started.

How to describe a rash to your doctor

How to describe a rash or skin change to a doctor: where it is, what it looks and feels like, what was going on around it, and when you first noticed it.