Symptoms are physical or mental feelings or sensations that may indicate a change in your health or the presence of a disease.
Tips & Links
Being aware of and tracking your symptoms may help you recognize early signs of a health condition, leading to early intervention and treatment. It also allows you to monitor changes in your condition, ensuring better management and preventing potential complications.
Identify & Track Symptoms
- Be aware of any changes or new or unusual sensations or feelings that could signal a symptom. Only you know what you are experiencing and feeling.
- Consider keeping a symptom diary and include when symptoms start, their intensity, how long they last, and any possible triggers or patterns. See samples at Healthlink BC.
- Record any over the counter drugs (OTC) or treatments you used to relieve the symptoms. Make a note if you experienced any change or relief.
- Record your symptoms on your phone (health or notes app) or in/on a health calendar, or in your notes for your health care visits.
- Update your physician or specialist on any changes or new symptoms at your health care visits.
- Know that your symptoms list helps health care professionals understand your specific health problem, hopefully leading to a diagnosis or an effective treatment.
Have a Plan
- Have a plan to contact a family member, your health advocate or care partner if you are unable to manage your symptoms alone.
- Talk with your physician or specialist to determine who to call for what and when.
- Call emergency services (911) if symptoms become life-threatening or you feel you need urgent care such as difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, or loss of consciousness.
Get More Information
- Explore information about your symptoms and health condition on research-based websites such as Healthlink BC.
- Explore ways to self-manage your pain from Pain BC.
- Reach out to 811 to ask for general health information, direction on how to monitor your symptoms, or help finding health care in your community, if needed. Navigation services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from Healthlink BC.
- Know how to use urgent care or emergency services in your community.
- Learn about palliative care and symptom management supports from Interior Health.
- Ask your physician for a referral to a specialist who can provide more targeted treatments or symptom management options.
Mywell Health helps you organize all your personal health information in one place. Track your symptoms and side effects, add them to your Health Profile fillable PDF tool found in My Health Information. Save all print and/or digital files for easy access.