Diagnosis
Doctors use diagnosis to determine the nature of a disorder or ailment. There are different ways to decide the problem that a patient is suffering from. In a medical diagnosis, the doctor performs a complete physical as well as looking over the patient's medical history. The medical procedures for diagnosis may include the patient having the patient undergo laboratory testing, x-ray, CT or MRI scans. X-Ray, CT, and MRI are also considered diagnostic imaging. It allows doctors to see any abnormalities in organs, tissue, bone and other areas that cannot be detected by a regular physical examination.
A physical examination is different from diagnostic imaging because it focuses on the doctor's palpitation of the patient, as well as testing their blood pressure and body temperature. These procedures may show whether or not the patient has abnormalities internally such as enlarged organs. The sounds from the heart and lungs can also detect abnormalities. Some of the abnormalities include fluid or blockage that affects breathing patterns as well as a heart beat that seems rapid or irregular. Doctors often use bodily secretions (urine, blood, and saliva) to check for a chemical imbalance, white and red blood cell change, and for the possible presence of pathogenic organisms that may be present. For more serious, or complicated illnesses that were detected through these types of tests, a doctor may run a routine biopsy procedure. This involves a slight incision at the site in question and removal of a sample of tissue or liquid for further testing and complete diagnosis.
Other than medical and physical examinations, observations from the patient and doctor can be important to determine abnormalities. Doctors are observant of colors (such as the whites of the eyes or a person's skin color). Also, a doctor may look at the patient's tongue and the texture of it to help determine a problem.
Early diagnosis is the best way for patients and their families to determine the illness or complication and treat it as soon and as efficiently as possible. The earlier the diagnosis is, and the quicker the doctor and patient begin treatment, the greater chance for recovery and prolonging life. For example, if a person is diagnosed with a form of cancer that is in its later stage, the process for treatment is more difficult and positive reactions to medication and therapies become slim. It is important that a patient suspicious of possible ailments contact a doctor immediately. Awareness is the first step in a diagnosis to determine the cause and resolve the problem a patient may be suffering from.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
