Diagnosing TTM involves a combination of a physical exam, where your healthcare provider looks for visible signs of the condition. They’ll also ask questions about your health history, current circumstances and anything else that might have a connection to a medical problem. TTM is a relatively straightforward condition to diagnose, but people with this condition often hide it out of …
Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection
If your healthcare provider suspects H. pylori bacteria may be causing a stomach ulcer, they may order one or more of the following tests: A breath test: In this test, you exhale into a bag before and after drinking a solution. The test measures the amount of carbon dioxide released in your breath before and after drinking the solution. A higher level after drinking the …
Periodontitis
Dentists typically diagnose periodontitis during routine examinations. During your appointment, they’ll likely: Ask about your symptoms, medical history and smoking history. Examine your gums for signs of inflammation. Take dental X-rays to check for bone loss. Use a periodontal probe, which is like a tiny ruler, to measure areas of bone loss (periodontal pockets) around your teeth.
Growing Pains
There are no tests to diagnose growing pains. Your child’s healthcare provider may perform a physical examination and will ask you about your child’s symptoms. They will ask where your child’s pain is located, when the pain started and what your child was doing on the day the pain started. If your child was very active during the day — playing sports, …
Group B Strep Disease
After you give birth, if your doctor suspects your baby has group B strep disease, a sample of your baby’s blood or spinal fluid will be sent to a lab for evaluation. If your baby appears ill, he or she might be given other tests, including: Urine culture Lumbar puncture Chest X-ray For adults who are diagnosed with an infection, …
Graves’ Disease
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history, including your family history of thyroid disease, and perform a physical exam. They may also order the following tests to confirm a Graves’ disease diagnosis: Thyroid blood tests: These blood tests check the level of thyroid hormone in your blood and amounts of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). A low TSH level …
Granuloma Annulare
A healthcare provider will perform a physical examination of your skin. After a physical examination, they may perform a skin biopsy to confirm their diagnosis. They’ll remove a small sample of your skin. Then, they’ll send the skin sample to a laboratory so other healthcare providers can examine it under a microscope to help determine what’s causing your rash.
Gonorrhea
Only a healthcare provider can tell you for sure if you have gonorrhea. First, they’ll ask you questions about your symptoms and sexual history. Then, your provider will collect a sample of your pee or bodily fluid to check it for the bacteria that causes gonorrhea. Your provider may: Perform a pelvic exam, taking a sample of fluid from your cervix …
Golfer’s Elbow
Your healthcare provider will ask what activities make your elbow hurt. They’ll examine your arm for specific movements that cause pain. Other tests might include: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasound. Computed tomography (CT) scans. Bone scans.
Celiac Disease
You might suspect you have celiac disease if you have gastrointestinal symptoms after eating gluten. Many people appear to have a sensitivity to gluten or wheat products in their diet. Food intolerances can cause uncomfortable symptoms after eating, but they don’t damage your intestines the way celiac disease does. To diagnose celiac disease, healthcare providers will look for evidence of this damage. It’s important …