At the Doctor: Explaining Symptoms

Hello, English learners! Today’s lesson is very important for your health and safety. Imagine you are in an English-speaking country and you don’t feel well. How do you tell the doctor what’s wrong? This lesson will teach you the essential vocabulary and phrases to explain your symptoms clearly and confidently. We will cover common health problems and how to describe them, from simple aches to more specific feelings. Let’s make sure you can communicate effectively when it matters most!

I. Essential Vocabulary: Basic Symptoms and Body Parts

First, let’s learn some basic words for parts of your body and common symptoms. Knowing these will help you pinpoint where you feel pain or discomfort.

Body Parts:

  • Head: The top part of your body.
  • Stomach: The part of your body where food is digested.
  • Throat: The front part of your neck, inside.
  • Back: The rear surface of your body.
  • Chest: The front part of your body between your neck and stomach.
  • Arm: The part of your body from your shoulder to your hand.
  • Leg: The part of your body from your hip to your foot.
  • Ear: The part of your body used for hearing.
  • Eye: The part of your body used for seeing.

Basic Symptoms:

  • Pain: A feeling of discomfort or suffering.
  • Ache: A continuous, dull pain (e.g., headache, stomachache).
  • Cough: To push air from your lungs with a sudden, loud sound.
  • Fever: A higher than normal body temperature.
  • Cold: A common mild illness that makes you sneeze and cough.
  • Flu: A common infectious illness that causes fever and pain.
  • Tired: Feeling sleepy or needing rest.
  • Dizzy: Feeling like you are spinning or losing your balance.
  • Nauseous: Feeling like you need to vomit.
  • Sore: Painful, especially from overuse or injury (e.g., sore throat, sore muscles).

II. How to Explain “What’s Wrong?”: Simple Phrases

When you first see the doctor, they will usually ask, “What brings you in today?” or “How can I help you?”. Here are some simple phrases you can use to answer.

  • “I have a…” This is a very common way to describe many symptoms.
    • “I have a headache.” (Pain in my head)
    • “I have a stomachache.” (Pain in my stomach)
    • “I have a cold.” (Sneezing, runny nose, light cough)
    • “I have a fever.” (My body temperature is high)
    • “I have a cough.” (I am coughing often)
    • “I have a sore throat.” (My throat hurts when I swallow)
  • “My… hurts.” Use this for specific body parts that have pain.
    • “My head hurts.”
    • “My back hurts.”
    • “My leg hurts.”
    • “My ear hurts.”
  • “I feel…” Use this for general feelings or sensations.
    • “I feel tired.”
    • “I feel dizzy.”
    • “I feel sick.” (General unwell feeling)
    • “I feel nauseous.” (Feeling like I want to vomit)
    • “I feel weak.” (Having little physical strength)

III. Describing Your Symptoms: More Detail for Intermediate Learners

For intermediate students, you can add more details to help the doctor understand your condition better. This includes when it started, the type of pain, and how often it happens.

  • When it started:
    • “It started yesterday.”
    • “It started two days ago.”
    • “It started this morning.”
    • “I’ve had this symptom for about three days.”
  • Type of pain:
    • “It’s a sharp pain.” (Sudden, strong, piercing pain)
    • “It’s a dull ache.” (Not severe, but continuous, not sharp)
    • “It’s a throbbing pain.” (A pain that beats steadily, like a pulse)
    • “It’s a burning pain.” (Feels like something is burning)
    • “It’s a stabbing pain.” (Feels like being stabbed)
  • Severity:
    • “It’s mild.” (Not very strong)
    • “It’s moderate.” (Medium strength)
    • “It’s severe.” / “It’s very painful.” (Very strong, hard to bear)
  • Frequency:
    • “It comes and goes.” (The pain is not constant, it stops and starts)
    • “It’s constant.” (The pain is always there)
  • Other symptoms:
    • “I also have a cough.”
    • “I’m also experiencing some dizziness.”

IV. Understanding the Doctor’s Questions

Doctors will ask questions to get a full picture of your health. Here are common questions and how you might respond.

  • “What brings you in today?” / “What’s wrong?”
    • Response: “I have a terrible headache.” / “My stomach hurts.”
  • “Where exactly does it hurt?”
    • Response: “It hurts right here, on the right side of my head.” (Point to the area)
  • “How long have you had this symptom?” / “When did it start?”
    • Response: “It started two days ago.” / “I’ve had it since Monday.”
  • “Is the pain constant, or does it come and go?”
    • Response: “It comes and goes.” / “It’s constant, but sometimes it’s worse.”
  • “Can you describe the pain? Is it sharp, dull, burning?”
    • Response: “It’s a sharp pain.” / “It’s a dull ache.”
  • “Do you have any other symptoms?”
    • Response: “Yes, I also have a fever and feel very tired.” / “No, just the headache.”
  • “Have you taken any medicine?”
    • Response: “Yes, I took some pain relievers, but they didn’t help much.” / “No, not yet.”

V. Practical Examples: Short Dialogues

Let’s practice with some short conversations between a patient and a doctor.

Dialogue 1: Headache

Doctor: “Hello, what brings you in today?”
Patient: “I have a really bad headache.”
Doctor: “How long have you had it?”
Patient: “It started this morning, and it’s getting worse.”
Doctor: “Can you describe the pain? Is it sharp or dull?”
Patient: “It’s a throbbing pain, mostly on the front of my head. I also feel a bit dizzy.”

Dialogue 2: Stomachache

Doctor: “Good morning. What can I do for you?”
Patient: “My stomach hurts a lot.”
Doctor: “Where exactly does it hurt?”
Patient: “It hurts right here, in my lower stomach.” (Points to the area)
Doctor: “Is the pain constant, or does it come and go?”
Patient: “It comes and goes, but when it comes, it’s a sharp pain. I also feel nauseous.”

Dialogue 3: Cold/Flu

Doctor: “Hi there. What seems to be the problem?”
Patient: “I think I have the flu. I’m not feeling well at all.”
Doctor: “What are your symptoms?”
Patient: “I have a fever, a bad cough, and my throat is very sore. I also feel incredibly tired.”
Doctor: “How long have you felt this way?”
Patient: “It started about three days ago. My body aches everywhere.”

VI. Quick Reference: Symptoms and Phrases Table

Here’s a quick summary to help you remember key phrases:

Symptom/Feeling Basic Phrase More Detail (Intermediate)
Headache I have a headache. It’s a throbbing pain. It started this morning.
Stomachache My stomach hurts. It’s a sharp pain in my lower stomach. I feel nauseous.
Fever I have a fever. My temperature is high. I also feel weak.
Cough I have a cough. It’s a dry cough and it’s constant.
Sore Throat My throat is sore. It hurts when I swallow.
Dizzy I feel dizzy. I feel like I’m spinning, especially when I stand up.
Back Pain My back hurts. It’s a dull ache in my lower back.

VII. Tips for Visiting the Doctor

Here are some extra tips to help you when visiting a doctor in an English-speaking environment:

  • Be specific: Try to give as much detail as you can about your symptoms. Where exactly does it hurt? When did it start?
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification: If you don’t understand something the doctor says, politely ask them to repeat or explain it in simpler terms. You can say, “Could you please explain that again?” or “Can you say that in simpler English?”
  • Write it down: Before your appointment, write down your symptoms and questions in English. This can reduce stress and help you remember everything. For more helpful ESL resources, visit our website.
  • Bring a friend or interpreter: If you are still very new to English, consider bringing someone who can help translate for you.
  • Practice at home: Use these phrases at home! Practice describing imaginary symptoms to a friend or family member. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become. Practice makes perfect! Explore more lessons here.

VIII. Conclusion

Learning to explain your symptoms to a doctor is a crucial skill for any ESL student. We’ve covered essential vocabulary for body parts and symptoms, basic phrases for beginners, and more detailed descriptions for intermediate learners. We also looked at common questions doctors ask and provided practical examples. Remember, clear communication about your health is incredibly important. Don’t worry about making mistakes; the goal is to be understood. Keep practicing these phrases, and you’ll feel much more confident next time you need to visit the doctor. Your health matters, and so does your ability to communicate about it. Continue your English learning journey with more practice materials.

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