Language of the Day: Describing Medical Symptoms in English
Everyone needs to go to the doctor’s office or hospital at some point and although it can be an uncomfortable or even unsettling experience, we’re also very fortunate to have access to medical services!
Here are some useful phrases to describe common symptoms, injuries, and illnesses to a nurse or doctor:
When your head hurts, you can simply say “I have a headache.” However, a doctor or medical professional may ask you to provide more details.
For example, “I’ve had a throbbing headache since last night, but it doesn’t feel like a migraine. Most of the pain is at the front of my head above my eyebrows, and at the back of my head.
I took some over-the-counter medicine including Tylenol and Advil, but it didn’t help. I went to the doctor’s, and she said the pain may have originated in my neck and spread to my head.
She recommended booking a massage or physio therapy appointment, and to improve my posture when I’m sitting at my desk.”
Sometimes over-the-counter medication isn’t enough and we need a prescription. For example, “I’ve had a runny nose and sore throat since Monday.
I thought it was just a cold but now I think I have the flu. My temperature is a little high so I might have a fever and I also have a dry cough.
I made an appointment at the clinic because I might need a prescription for anti-biotics in case I have a throat infection.”
Now let’s look at some examples phrases while describing an injury. “I hurt my back when I was cleaning my house. I picked up some heavy boxes and felt a muscle being pulled in my lower back and then I feel over!
It hurts when I put weight on my left ankle and my foot is swollen and is slightly bruised. I called my cousin who is a nurse and she told me to put ice on my foot so the swelling goes down.”
Please take care of yourselves and wishing you good health!
