Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. They’ll check for signs of infection or other issues that could cause hearing loss. They may do a CT scan (computed tomography scan) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) if you hurt your ear or they think you may have a tumor. Your provider may refer you to an audiologist (or you may contact …

To diagnose illness anxiety disorder, healthcare providers refer to the criteria listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th edition (often known simply as the DSM-5. Your provider may make a diagnosis or they may refer you to a behavioral health specialist, like a psychologist or psychiatrist. The six criteria for illness anxiety disorder include: Frequent or …

In order to evaluate and diagnose the headaches, your healthcare provider will need to perform a physical examination. They’ll check for things like: Fever. High blood pressure. Muscle weakness. Balance problems. Vision problems. They’ll also interview you and your child. It’s helpful to keep a diary of your child’s experiences leading up to your appointment. This can help with the …

The following tests are commonly used to try to determine the cause of a thunderclap headache. CT scan of the head. CT scans take X-rays that create slice-like, cross-sectional images of your brain and head. A computer combines these images to create a full picture of your brain. Sometimes an iodine-based dye is used to augment the picture. Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). The doctor …

Healthcare providers may ask about your medical history and symptoms, including questions like: How often do you have symptoms? Do your symptoms feel worse at certain times of the day? Do your symptoms feel worse after doing certain activities? Do over-the-counter pain relievers help you feel better? They may do computed tomography (CT) scans and brain magnetic resonance imaging (brain …

A healthcare provider diagnoses a spinal headache based on your history and symptoms. If you’ve had a spinal tap in the last 14 days, the diagnosis is often obvious. In that case, you usually don’t need tests. If you haven’t had a spinal tap, providers typically use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose the source of the headache. This imaging test allows …

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or ongoing, you may also need imaging tests like X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans. Imaging tests show if your sinuses are blocked. If they aren’t, it may mean you have a different issue like a migraine or a tension headache. Migraine headaches and sinus headaches have common …

Your provider will likely recommend brain imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain can help detect any underlying causes for your headache. During the MRI exam, a magnetic field and radio waves are used to create cross-sectional images of the structures within the brain. Computerized tomography (CT). In some cases, especially if your headache occurred less than 48 …

If you have migraines or a family history of migraines, a specialist trained in treating headaches, known as a neurologist, will likely diagnose migraines based on your medical history, symptoms, and a physical and neurological examination. If your condition is unusual, complex or suddenly becomes severe, tests to rule out other causes for your pain might include: An MRI scan. A magnetic resonance …

A diagnosis of head lice is made by visual inspection. If you look closely at your child’s hair on their scalp, you may be able to see the tiny white nits attached to the hair shafts. Nits resemble dandruff but aren’t as easy to brush or shake off the hair. Adult lice can move around quickly and are difficult to …