Talking about Health

A.

Personal Health - Conversation

John     :           You look very pale.

David  :           I feel rather dizzy, and I have a headache.

John     :           Maybe you’re catching a cold.

David  :           You’re probably right.

John     :           You went to the doctor today, didn’t you?

David  :           Yes, I go once a year for checkup.

John     :           What did he say?       

David  :           He said my health was good.

John     :           Have you put on weight recently?

David  :           I probably have.

John     :           Maybe you don’t get enough exercise.

David  :           I really don’t, but I’m careful about eating.

David  :           You certainly look very healthy to me.

John     :           I’ve been feeling very well lately.

David  :           Haven’t you gotten a little heavier?

John     :           Yes, I think I have.

David  :           You certainly look happy about something.

John     :           I’ve lost some weight.

David  :           you look much better.

John     :           I feel better too.

B.

Describing general health

• I’m not fit
• I’m usually healthy
• I have a (bad back)
• My (heart) is (not) very strong
• I have to take (pills)
• I have to follow a diet/eat special food
• I’m allergic to (penicillin)
• I have a high/low blood pressure
• I have a (stomach) illness
• I had (an accident last year)
• I’ve (never) been in hospital
• The cavity is killing me.
• She poked me in the eye.
• My head is spinning.
• His snoring is getting worse.
• I feel like I’ve been run over by a freight train.
• My head is stuffed up.
• I didn’t sleep a wink last night.

C.

Describing symptoms

• I’m not feeling well
• I’ve been feeling. (tired)
• I haven’t been sleeping
• I haven’t been eating well
• I can’t (sleep)
• I have a headache
• I have a stomach ache
• I have a ear ache
• I have a pain in my (back)
• I think it’s (flu)
• It may be (from playing tennis)
• I think it may be (something I ate)
• It’s probably (the weather)
• I’m feeling worse
• I’m feeling better
• It’s getting worse
• I’m/It’s the same
• The medicine/pills helped/didn’t help

D.

Asking about health

• How are you feeling (today)?
• How is the (leg)?
• Are you feeling any better/worse?
• What did the doctor say?
• Do you have any medicine/pills to take?
• Have you had a (check-up)?

E.

How…? / What …like? – for health and character

Here there is a much clearer distinction in use. How…? Refers to a person’s health or mood and what….like? to a person’s character:

How’s Bob today? ~ Very tired, I would say. He was out all night at Tricia’s party.

What’s Bob like? ~ Very sociable. He’s the life and soul of any party.

What’s his wife like? ~ She’s serious and shy. I’ve never seen her smile.