Look both ways before crossing the street. Don’t speak to strangers. Back up your computer hard drive…. Some wisdom is meant to prevent a problem later, as is today’s column.

Today’s wise words suggest developing a Personal Health Journal now, to help you solve a future diagnosis mystery, or to help you get the right diagnosis and treatment sooner than you otherwise might.

There are two kinds of records you’ll want to pull together. Both your family health history, and your individual medical history can be invaluable when you begin to experience symptoms. Assemble them now, keep them in a notebook or binder, and make sure they stay current.

Begin with your family health history. Gather information about blood relatives only: parents, grandparents and siblings. Don’t bother recording their names. To maintain their privacy, include only their relationships to you, and the mental or physical health problems they have been treated for. And don’t worry about steps, halves or adopted relatives since they are not genetically related to you.

When a health problem crops up, and you need to visit your doctor, share your Journal. The idea is to identify trends or genetic traits among your family members that may affect your own health. From heart disease, to certain cancers, to Alzheimer’s, stroke, alcoholism and many others; what your family members have suffered or died from can steer you and your doctor toward the right decisions about tests, screenings, preventative measures or treatments if you begin to develop symptoms, too.

Your individual medical history is also important. It will help you remind your doctor when past medical events could possibly affect a future diagnosis. If you broke your ankle when you were young, it may suggest a diagnosis of arthritis later in life, or if you know you are allergic to penicillin, then it could explain a drug reaction today.

Even if you have seen the same doctor your entire life, that doesn’t mean that doctor will have all your records, nor does it mean they will be easily accessible. Taking the time now to pull them together will prevent treatment delays later.

For now, just make a list of the times you’ve needed medical care that might affect your future health. In the next Every Patient’s Advocate column, we’ll talk about how to get copies of your records from your doctor to round out your Personal Health Journal.

(This is part 1 of 3.  Link here to part 2 or part 3.)

©  2006 Trisha Torrey

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