It’s important to have a complete knowledge of your medical history, even if you live with your parents and continue to see the same providers. Some information that you should be aware of includes:
- Create a health summary of past and present treatments including medications and surgeries with this form. Have copies available for each new provider.
- If you have a chronic disease or condition, make sure that you know some basic information about it. Read about it on a reputable website such as WebMD or the Mayo Clinic website. Be able to give its proper name and some basic information about the disease. Ask your family how you got diagnosed with this condition.
- Learn about your family health history, including the diseases and conditions that family members have had.
- Know about any allergies that you have, including:
- Medications, food, bees, environmental allergens, or any other substances that you are allergic to
- Your body’s response to coming into contact with allergens
- Any medications that you need to take if you experience an allergic reaction
- Know the medications that you take regularly, including the dosage and when and why you take them. You can use an app like Medisafe.
- If you have a medical condition that is life-threatening or may prevent you from communicating with first responders in an emergency, consider getting a medical alert bracelet or necklace. Some of these conditions include seizure disorders, diabetes, or severe allergies that result in anaphylactic shock. Medical alert bracelets can also be helpful if you take certain medications (e.g., blood thinners), have certain medical devices (e.g., a pacemaker, cochlear implant), or have severe allergies to certain medications or items that may be used by medical providers in an emergency (e.g., penicillin, latex).