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Medical diagnosis is the process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury based on the symptoms presented. Here are 5 of the most common diagnoses
Medical diagnosis is the process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury based on the signs and symptoms presented. Types of medical diagnosis are:
- Provisional: Based on physical exam and clinical findings
- Histopathological: Done by a pathologist after examining sample tissue under a microscope
- Final: Done based on provisional diagnosis and investigations
Accurate diagnoses require data from the following sources:
- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Tests such as blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies
5 of the most common medical diagnoses
1. Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia that can severely impair day-to-day function. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:
- Memory loss
- Problems with judgment and thinking
Tests used to make a medical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease include:
2. Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood to the body efficiently. Symptoms of arrhythmia include:
- Fluttering in the chest
- Pounding heartbeat
- Slow heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Sweating
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Anxiety
Tests used to make a medical diagnosis of arrhythmias include:
- Electrocardiography or ECG
- Holter monitor
- Echocardiogram
- Implantable loop recorder
- Stress test
3. Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of muscles and joints. Symptoms of arthritis include:
There are five types of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Spondyloarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Paget’s disease of bone
Tests used to make a medical diagnosis of arthritis include:
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- Complete blood cell count
- Rheumatoid factor assay
- Antinuclear antibody assay
- Joint aspiration
4. Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys do not filter out waste from the blood, leading to the accumulation of waste in the body. Symptoms of CKD include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sleep problems
- Little or no urination
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Muscle cramps
- Swelling of feet and ankles
- Dry and itchy skin
- Uncontrollable hypertension
- Shortness of breath if fluid builds up in the lungs
- Chest pain if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart
Tests used to make a medical diagnosis of CKD include:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Imaging tests
- Kidney biopsy
5. Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot utilize insulin efficiently and thus fails to regulate blood sugar levels. Symptoms of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Numbness or pins and needles sensation in the legs and feet
- Blurred vision
- Yeast infection over the skin and genitals
- Slow wound healing
- Polydipsia (increased thirst)
- Polyphagia (increased hunger)
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Itchy skin
- Blurred vision
- Irritability
- Skin infections
Tests used to make a medical diagnosis of diabetes include:
- Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test
- Random blood sugar test
- Fasting blood sugar test
- Oral glucose tolerance test
