(HealthDay News) -- Keeping a health journal is a great way to share your medical history with your doctors.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this advice on what to record:

• Any illness or injury.
• Any surgery or procedure.
• Any time you go to the hospital.
• Any allergies to food, substances or medications.
• A history, in your immediate family, of any disease or condition.
• Every medication, vitamin or supplement you take, as well as dosage information.