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Health problems (I)

ACTIVITY 100: What are your symptoms? Look carefully at the pictures below and try to choose the correct health problems from the menus. Then check the answers.

Health problems (II)

Read carefully and study below how you can express your health problems and the symptoms you are feeling when you visit your doctor.

EXPRESSING YOUR SYMPTOMS

I have ... I've got ...	a temperature (British English) / a fever (American English) a cold / a cough / a sore throat / a runny nose a stomachache / a headache toothache / earache / backache a back pain / a pain in my side / chest pains a rash on my chest / a bruise on my leg / a lump on my arm indigestion / diarrhea / insomnia / hives / sunburn / a black eye
I feel ...	sick to my stomach / nauseous / dizzy / breathless shivery / weak / stuffed up
I am ...	tired all the time / constipated / tense sweating / depressed / hyper (colloquial) being sick all the time
My ...	nose itches back, arms and legs are aching eyes are itching and watery
I've lost ...	my appetite / my voice / my hearing / all my concentration ability
I can't ...	sleep / walk fast / hear well / concentrate on my work

ACHE, PAIN AND HURT

It is important that you remember the following information:

1) -ache can be added to the nouns back, ear, head, stomach and tooth. But note that backache, earache and toothache are usually uncountable nouns, while headache and stomachache are countable nouns:

Example: I've got backache and a headache.

2) Alternatively you can use the noun pain or the verb hurt:

Example: I've got a pain in my back. My back hurts.

3) Also remember this:

British English: I've got a temperature.
American English: I've got a fever.

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR PHYSICIAN

DIAGNOSIS
– What's wrong, what has caused it, and how serious is it?

TESTS
– What tests do you recommend, and what is the purpose?

RESULTS
– How will I find out about the results?
– Will I be advised if nothing is wrong?
– Will I be advised only if something needs attention?

OPTIONS
– What treatment choices do I have?

MEDICATIONS
– What are my choices?
– What are the side effects?
– How will it interact with other prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs?
– What's the dosage and frequency?
– Should I take with or without food, or avoid alcohol?

DOCTOR'S ORDERS
– What activities do I need to avoid?
– Am I contagious?
– Do I need a follow up visit?
– Should I watch for anything special?

DEALING WITH YOUR DOCTOR

Do not be intimidated by your physician. Ask him all the questions that concern you. Sometimes if necessary, clearly express your doubts with your doctor. Indeed, call your doctor himself in question. A good doctor, worried by his patient, who wishes him well, appreciates that his patient wants to take responsability. The good doctor always encourages his patient to be a co-decision maker and active partner in his treatment. If you are well informed, courteous, and express your concerns clearly and with persistence, your doctor must be ready to discuss your case more in detail with you. Jot down things you want to discuss so you don't forget them, but try not to overwhelm the doctor with a "laundry list". And don't leave the doctor's office until you are clear on all those questions !!

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