How to Describe Symptoms to a Doctor

It can be difficult to see a doctor if your symptoms are due to an undiagnosed medical problem. It is often difficult for patients to fully explain their symptoms during the medical examination, and this is an important factor in helping doctors effectively diagnose symptoms and develop treatment plans. Your doctor has been trained to guide you throughout your visit and help you describe your symptoms. You can optimize every medical appointment by describing your symptoms simply and succinctly so that both you and your doctor can understand.

Table of Contents

Preparing to go to the doctor

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Learn about the basics of symptom description. There are four basic elements that you need to use when describing your symptoms. Learning about them will help you identify your symptom and best communicate it to your doctor. ^{[1] X Research Source}

You should tell your doctor how your symptoms are making you. For example, if you have a headache, you need to use descriptive words such as sharp, dull, aching or throbbing. You can use these types of words to describe physical symptoms. ^{[2] X Research Source}
Explain or show your doctor the exact location of the symptom. You have to be as specific as possible, so say, “The area above my kneecap is swollen and painful,” rather than generally saying, “I have a sore foot.” ^{[3] X Research Source} You should also state whether symptoms have spread to other areas.
You should describe how long you have had symptoms. The more time you specify, the easier it will be for your doctor to determine the cause. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Talk about how often you experience or are aware of the symptom. This information will also help your doctor determine the cause of your symptoms. For example, you could say, “These symptoms appear every day, especially after I exercise,” or “Only occasionally do symptoms appear, like after a few days.”

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Identify and write down the symptom. It is important that you recognize specific symptoms and write them down before going to the doctor. Not only will this help you best describe your symptoms, but it will also help ensure that you don’t forget to talk about them and how they affect you. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Be sure to bring your symptom list, including basic information, with you when you visit your doctor.
Take note if symptoms are related to specific activities, injuries, times, foods, drinks, and anything else that make them worse. In addition, you should also take notes if they affect your life in some way. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

During medical examination

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You need to be specific, detailed, and descriptive as much as possible. Everyone experiences symptoms in different ways, so be sure to use specific, detailed, and descriptive words as much as possible. This action will help your doctor diagnose your condition and keep track of your future care. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Use adjectives. For example, if you are experiencing pain, you should let your doctor know whether it is a dull, sharp, heavy, or aching pain. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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You need to be honest with your doctor about your symptoms. There’s no reason to be embarrassed in front of your doctor, so be completely honest with them. Being dishonest will make it difficult for your doctor to diagnose your symptoms. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Doctors are trained to deal with all sorts of illnesses, so it’s possible that the symptom that’s embarrassing you is one that your doctor regularly encounters.
You should remember that any information you provide to your doctor will be kept confidential as required by law. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Summarize your reasons for going to the doctor. Most doctors will start an appointment with a question like “Why should you go to the doctor?”. Having one or two answers ready to summarize your symptoms will help your doctor better understand and optimize your examination. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Some common symptoms include: Pain, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, fever, delirium, shortness of breath, or headache.
For example, you might tell your doctor, “I have had stomach pain and vomiting for the past two weeks.”

Describe specific symptoms to your doctor

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You should let your doctor know about your specific symptom and where it occurs. Tell your doctor about the specific symptom from the list you have prepared and indicate where on your body you experience it. This will help them make a diagnosis and determine the right treatment. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Remember to be as specific and descriptive as possible. If you have knee pain, don’t say you have foot pain, but tell your doctor where exactly you feel the pain is in your knee.

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Describe when and how often symptoms appear. You need to tell your doctor when your symptoms started and how often they occur. This will help them come up with a viable diagnosis. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Be sure to state when symptoms began, whether they have stopped, and how often they recur. For example, “I have severe pain between periods and the pain lasts for about 3 days.” ^{[18] X Research Source}
Talk to your doctor about how your symptoms are affecting your daily life and ability to function. ^{[19] X Research Source}
Tell your doctor if you have experienced this symptom before and the circumstances in which it occurred. ^{[20] X Research Source}
Tell your doctor if you notice your symptoms get better or worse at a particular time of day. For example, “I have anal itching that is worse at night.” ^{[21] X Research Source}
Refers to another symptom or condition that occurs at the same time. For example, you could say, “For three weeks I used to pass out, my wife said I look very pale and my stools are quite dark, I have lost 4.5 kg even though I am eating and drinking as usual. “.

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Explain factors that reduce or worsen symptoms. Tell your doctor everything that makes your symptoms better or worse. This will help them make a diagnosis and set up a treatment plan for you. ^{[22] X Research Source}

For example, if you have pain, you should highlight any movement that makes it worse. You can describe it as “When I bend my finger towards the palm, I feel a sharp pain, otherwise it’s normal”.
Describe additional triggers related to your symptoms such as foods, drinks, activities, or medications.

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Assess symptom severity. You should describe the severity of your symptoms on a scale of 1 to 10. This will help your doctor make a diagnosis and show how acute your problem is. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

The rating scale should start from 1 for a condition that does not affect you at all and a score of 10 for the worst condition imaginable. Be honest, and don’t minimize or exaggerate the situation.

Advice

Consider seeing a doctor with a friend or loved one if you don’t know how to explain your physical problem correctly, or if you’re forgetful or easily confused.
You should remember to make sure that your appearance matches the symptom you describe. For example, if you’re complaining about the worst pain of your life, you shouldn’t be sipping coffee, reading a magazine, or answering the phone.

Steps

Preparing to go to the doctor

During medical examination

Describe specific symptoms to your doctor

Advice

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