Maybe you feel tired on certain days. Maybe your stomach hurts after some meals but not every time you eat. Maybe you get headaches, dizziness, rashes or pain that comes and goes without an obvious reason.
Unexplained symptoms can be frustrating. Tracking your symptoms may help.
“Reporting what you track to your doctor can make it easier for your doctor to find the right diagnosis, order the right test or prescribe the right treatment,” said Jeffrey Curtis, MD, a family medicine specialist with Banner Executive Health and Wellness.
Why tracking symptoms can help your doctor
Your symptoms can change from day to day and it’s easy to forget details during your appointment. Tracking symptoms helps your doctor understand patterns that might not be obvious at first.
A symptom log can:
- Help your provider understand timing, severity, triggers and whether symptoms are getting better or worse
- Help avoid unnecessary testing or point to the right test sooner
- Show whether treatments or lifestyle changes are working
What to track when you have unexplained symptoms
You don’t need a complicated app or medical knowledge. A simple symptom journal with a few key details can make a big difference. You can use a notebook, notes app, calendar, spreadsheet or symptom tracking app. Here’s what to track:
1. What the symptom feels like
- The main symptom, such as pain, nausea, dizziness, rash, fatigue, shortness of breath or headache
- Where you feel it
- What it feels like, such as sharp, dull, burning, pressure, throbbing, itchy, tight or cramping
- Whether it stays in one place or spreads
- Any other symptoms that happen at the same time
2. When symptoms start and stop
- Date and time they begin
- How long they last
- If they happen at the same time of day
- If they come and go or stay constant
- If they are becoming more frequent
- What you think might have caused the symptom(s)
3. How severe it is
- Use a zero to 10 scale, with zero meaning no symptoms and 10 meaning the worst you can imagine
- How the symptom affects daily activities
- If you can work, sleep, eat, walk, exercise or care for others
- If the severity is changing over time
4. What you were doing before it started
- Meals or drinks
- Exercise or activity
- Sleep
- Stress
- Travel
- New products, such as soaps, lotions or detergents
- Work tasks
- Screen time
- Weather or heat exposure
- Menstrual cycle timing, if relevant
- Sexual activity, if relevant
- Injury, fall or strain
5. What makes it better or worse
- Rest
- Food or fluids
- Movement
- Position changes
- Heat or ice
- Medication
- Caffeine or alcohol
- Stress
- Sleep
- Bathroom habits
- Time of day
6. Medications, supplements and recent changes
- Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications
- Vitamins, herbs or supplements
- Missed doses
- New medicines or dose changes
- Recent vaccines
- Side effects
- Alcohol, cannabis or other substance use, if relevant
7. Photos or measurements when helpful
- Rash, swelling, bruising or wound photos, which can be helpful for symptoms that change or disappear before the appointment
- Temperature
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Blood sugar, if you monitor it
- Weight changes
- Peak flow readings for asthma, if prescribed
- Oxygen level, if your provider has asked you to track it
How long should you track symptoms before seeing a doctor?
“How long you should track symptoms depends on what the symptoms are,” Dr. Curtis said.
For mild or recurring symptoms, tracking for a few days to a few weeks can help. For chronic symptoms, tracking for two to four weeks may show trends. But don’t wait to get care for symptoms that are severe, sudden or getting worse.
A Banner Health provider can review your symptoms, look for patterns and help you decide what to do next.
Symptoms that are especially helpful to track
With some symptoms, their patterns can help guide your diagnosis and care:
- Pain
- Headaches
- Digestive symptoms
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or palpitations
- Skin changes
“But really, any symptom bad enough to make you stop and think about it is worth tracking,” Dr. Curtis said.
How to share your symptom tracker with your doctor
“Don't be shy or nervous about discussing any symptoms with your doctor. Bring it up right away so you have time to address it fully,” Dr. Curtis said.
Summarize the most important patterns, including when symptoms started, how often they happen and what makes them better or worse. Mention the top two or three concerns first and bring the full log in case you need it.
Dr. Curtis said, “Share your symptoms as efficiently as possible. You could say something like, ‘I am here to discuss my ankle pain. It started hurting three weeks ago when I was playing basketball and twisted it. The pain was so bad that I couldn't walk at first. My ankle swelled but most of the swelling has gone down. The pain is worse now over the side of my foot, just under the ankle bone. It hurts all the time but it is worse when I walk. When I am sitting down, it is three out of 10. When I walk it is eight out of 10."
Be sure to:
- Use clear examples
- Bring your medication list
- Ask what to track next
- Ask when to follow up and when you should get care sooner
When to see a doctor for unexplained symptoms
Contact a health care provider if:
- Symptoms last more than a few days without getting better
- Symptoms keep coming back or are getting worse
- Symptoms interfere with your sleep, eating, work, school or daily activities
- You have unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- You have ongoing fatigue
- You have frequent headaches
- You have persistent digestive symptoms
- You have a new rash, swelling or skin change
- You started a new medication or supplement and symptoms began afterward
- You have a chronic condition and symptoms are new or unusual
- You are worried and do not know what is causing the symptoms
Get urgent or emergency care for:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Trouble breathing
- Fainting
- Signs of stroke, such as face drooping, arm weakness or speech trouble
- Sudden severe headache
- Severe abdominal pain
- Confusion
- Severe allergic reaction
- Heavy bleeding
- High fever or fever with stiff neck
- Sudden weakness, numbness or loss of movement
- Thoughts of self-harm
Bottom line
Tracking symptoms can help your doctor understand what is happening, especially if your symptoms are unexplained, hard to describe or keep coming back. You do not need a perfect record. Focus on timing, severity, triggers, what helps and what has changed.
If symptoms are severe, sudden, getting worse or interfering with daily life, get care right away.
Reach out to a Banner Health provider who can review your symptoms, recommend next steps for a diagnosis and help you find the treatment you need.
Frequently asked questions about tracking symptoms
What should I track when I have unexplained symptoms?
Track what you feel, when it starts, how long it lasts, how severe it is, what you were doing before it began, what helps, what makes it worse and any other symptoms.
What is the best way to track symptoms?
The best method is the one you will actually use. A notebook, phone note, calendar, spreadsheet or app can all work. Keep it simple and consistent.
How long should I track symptoms before seeing a doctor?
For mild symptoms, tracking for a few days to a few weeks can help show patterns. But do not wait to get care if symptoms are severe, sudden, getting worse or causing you worry.
Should I bring photos of symptoms to my doctor?
Yes, photos can help if symptoms change or disappear before your visit. They are especially useful for rashes, swelling, wounds or skin changes.
Can tracking symptoms help with a diagnosis?
It can help your doctor see patterns and decide what questions, exams or tests may be needed. Tracking does not diagnose the problem by itself.
Can stress cause unexplained symptoms?
Stress can contribute to symptoms such as headaches, stomach problems, sleep changes, fatigue and muscle tension. But you should still discuss new, ongoing or worsening symptoms with a provider.
Should I track wearable data for my doctor?
Wearable data can be helpful if it relates to your symptoms, such as heart rate during palpitations or sleep patterns during fatigue.
What if my symptoms do not follow a pattern?
That is still helpful information. Tell your doctor the symptoms seem random and share what you tracked. Your provider can help decide what to do next.
