Medicine.org - Diagnosis & Testing

Diagnosing Diabetes

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:27:24 -0400

Diabetes is diagnosed through various lab tests, the chief one remaining a Fasting Blood Sugar. Fasting Blood Glucose is a simple blood test, after not having anything by mouth for 12 hours prior to test (that includes coffee, but does not include water). Usually, if you have a fasting blood sugar over 126, you may have diabetes. Many things can affect your blood sugar, besides diabetes, so a doctor should always be involved in this determination. For instance, chronic infections and medications may both elevate your blood sugar.

How Is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Diagnosed?

Thu, 17 May 2007 13:44:51 -0400

To find out whether you have a UTI, your doctor will test a sample of urine for pus and bacteria. You will be asked to give a "clean catch" urine sample by washing the genital area and collecting a "midstream" sample of urine in a sterile container. This method of collecting urine helps prevent bacteria around the genital area from getting into the sample and confusing the test results. Usually, the sample is sent to a laboratory, although some doctors' offices are equipped to do the testing.

Urinary Tract Infections: Second Most Common Infection in Adults

Thu, 17 May 2007 13:08:23 -0400

A urinary track infection (UTI) can occur anywhere between the kidney and the urethra (the tube leading from the bladder to the outside). However, they may have different names; such as kidney infections are called pyleonephritis, bladder infections are termed cystitis, and urethra infections are called bacteriuria.

On an outpatient basis, it is the second most common infection among adults. It is estimated that 7 million visits a year occur in primary care, and about 1 million in the emergency room. These numbers are probably significantly higher, as infections sometimes are symptomless. These infections are cleared naturally from the system and no treatment is necessary, although exceptions exist.

Stages of Ovarian Cancer

Mon, 14 May 2007 14:55:32 -0400

To plan the best treatment, your doctor needs to know the grade of the tumor (see Diagnosis) and the extent (stage) of the disease. The stage is based on whether the tumor has invaded nearby tissues, whether the cancer has spread, and if so, to what parts of the body.

Usually, surgery is needed before staging can be complete. The surgeon takes many samples of tissue from the pelvis and abdomen to look for cancer.

Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer

Mon, 14 May 2007 14:50:52 -0400

If you have a symptom that suggests ovarian cancer, your doctor must find out whether it is due to cancer or to some other cause. Your doctor may ask about your personal and family medical history.

You may have one or more of the following tests. Your doctor can explain more about each test:

• Physical exam: Your doctor checks general signs of health. Your doctor may press on your abdomen to check for tumors or an abnormal buildup of fluid (ascites). A sample of fluid can be taken to look for ovarian cancer cells.

Diagnosing Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Sun, 13 May 2007 22:01:24 -0400

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a spectrum disorder. The symptoms run the length of the continuum, and are more intense or occur more frequently in some individuals than others. Fifty percent of the children who are diagnosed with ADHD will not go into remission, but remain as an adult, who has ADHD. This spectrum disorder is based on DSM-IV criteria (American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic Manual); therefore, more restrictive than other sources which may be used to diagnose this problem.

Bi-Polar Spectrum Disorder: Mis-Diagnosed Or Under Treated

Fri, 11 May 2007 13:25:54 -0400

BIPOLAR SPECTRUM DISORDER MAY BE UNDERRECOGNIZED AND IMPROPERLY TREATED

A new study supports earlier estimates of the prevalence of bipolar disorder in the U.S. population, and suggests the illness may be more accurately characterized as a spectrum disorder. It also finds that many people with the illness are not receiving appropriate treatment. The study, published in the May 2007 issue of "Archives of General Psychiatry", analyzed data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), a nationwide survey of mental disorders among 9,282 Americans ages 18 and older. The NCS-R was funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Do Other Illnesses Co-Exist with Bi-Polar Illness?

Tue, 08 May 2007 12:21:11 -0400

Alcohol and drug abuse are very common among people with bipolar disorder. Research findings suggest that many factors may contribute to these substance abuse problems, including self-medication of symptoms, mood symptoms either brought on or perpetuated by substance abuse, and risk factors that may influence the occurrence of both bipolar disorder and substance use disorders. Treatment for co-occurring substance abuse, when present, is an important part of the overall treatment plan.

Can Children Have Bi-Polar Illness?

Tue, 08 May 2007 11:36:11 -0400

Can Children and Adolescents Have Bipolar Disorder?
Both children and adolescents can develop bipolar disorder. It is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the illness.

Unlike many adults with bipolar disorder, whose episodes tend to be more clearly defined, children and young adolescents with the illness often experience very fast mood swings between depression and mania many times within a day.5 Children with mania are more likely to be irritable and prone to destructive tantrums than to be overly happy and elated. Mixed symptoms also are common in youths with bipolar disorder. Older adolescents who develop the illness may have more classic, adult-type episodes and symptoms.

Illegal Drug Use vs Drug Abuse

Tue, 08 May 2007 11:26:59 -0400

Although many studies have been conducted to survey illegal drug use in America, no research has been done in the past generation on the prevalence of illegal/legal drug use, other associated diseases or disorders, or types of treatment, if any, which may have been used.

Therefore, this study funded in part by the National Institute of Health was a milestone in epidemiology to look at Americans and what drugs were being used, and what are the characteristics of those who use the drugs.

Diagnosing Bi-Polar Disorder

Tue, 08 May 2007 00:35:17 -0400

Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

Like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder cannot yet be identified physiologically—for example, through a blood test or a brain scan. Therefore, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made on the basis of symptoms, course of illness, and, when available, family history. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV).2

How Are Headaches Diagnosed? Isn't It All Subjective?

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 11:25:34 -0400

What Tests Are Used to Diagnose Headache?

Diagnosing a headache is like playing Twenty Questions. Experts agree that a detailed question-and-answer session with a patient can often produce enough information for a diagnosis. Many types of headaches have clear-cut symptoms which fall into an easily recognizable pattern.

Patients may be asked: How often do you have headaches? Where is the pain? How long do the headaches last? When did you first develop headaches? The patient's sleep habits and family and work situations may also be probed.

Diagnosis of TB

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 10:17:45 -0400

TRANSMISSION

TB is primarily an airborne disease. The bacteria are spread from person to person in tiny microscopic droplets when a TB sufferer coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings, or laughs. Only people with active TB can spread the disease to others. People with TB who have been treated with the correct drugs for at least 2 weeks, however, are no longer contagious and do not spread the bacteria to others.

Classification for TB

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:43:22 -0400

Classification System

Many systems have been used to classify people who have TB. The current classification system (Table 1.3) is based on the pathogenesis of TB. Many health departments and private health care providers use this system when describing patients. Thus, it is important for public health workers to be familiar with this system. In particular, public health workers should be aware that any patient with a classification of 3 or 5 should be receiving treatment for TB, and the case or suspected case should be reported.

Sites of TB

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:28:07 -0400

Sites of TB Disease

TB disease can occur in different places in the body. Pulmonary TB is TB that occurs in the lungs. About 85% of TB cases are pulmonary. Most patients with pulmonary TB have a cough and an abnormal chest x-ray, and they should be considered infectious until they meet certain criteria.

Extrapulmonary TB occurs in places other than the lungs, such as the larynx, the lymph nodes, the pleura (the membrane surrounding each lung), the brain, the kidneys, or the bones and joints. Extrapulmonary TB occurs more often in people who are infected with HIV than in people who are not infected with HIV. In HIV-infected people, extrapulmonary TB is often accompanied by pulmonary TB. Most types of extrapulmonary TB are not considered infectious.