Diagnosis of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCMs) Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are often discovered accidentally during brain imaging for another condition. Many people with CCMs may not experience any symptoms, while others may develop neurological signs that lead to further testing. Your neurologist will review your medical history, discuss any symptoms, and may recommend several diagnostic tests to confirm the presence …
Cataracts
Diagnosis To diagnose cataracts, your eye doctor will begin by reviewing your medical history and discussing any vision changes or symptoms you may be experiencing. A thorough eye examination is then performed, which may include several key tests. Vision Test A vision test, also known as a visual acuity test, is used to measure how well you can read letters …
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Diagnosis To evaluate childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), a speech-language pathologist reviews your child’s medical history, symptoms, and speech development. The evaluation involves assessing how your child produces sounds, words, and phrases, as well as examining the muscles used for speech. The speech-language pathologist may also evaluate your child’s language skills, including vocabulary, sentence structure, and understanding of spoken language. …
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Diagnosis To diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, your healthcare provider will review your symptoms and perform specific tests to confirm the condition. History of Symptoms The pattern of your symptoms plays a key role in diagnosis. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms commonly appear when holding a phone, reading a newspaper, or gripping a steering wheel. They often occur at night, waking you …
Carotid Artery Disease
Diagnosis Diagnosis of carotid artery disease begins with a detailed medical history and physical examination. During the exam, your healthcare professional listens for a swooshing sound, called a bruit, over the carotid artery in your neck. This sound can indicate narrowing of the artery. You may also undergo tests of strength, memory, and speech to check for any neurological effects. …
Heart Disease
Diagnosis Diagnosing heart disease begins with a physical examination and a discussion of your medical history. A healthcare professional will ask about your symptoms, lifestyle, and family history of heart conditions. Listening to your heart and checking your pulse and blood pressure are also part of the initial evaluation. To confirm a diagnosis and identify the cause or extent of …
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Diagnosis Diagnosing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy begins with a thorough physical examination and a detailed review of your symptoms, medical history, and family history. A healthcare professional listens to your heart using a stethoscope to detect murmurs that may suggest abnormal heart function. If you have a family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, genetic testing or counseling may also be recommended. Common diagnostic …
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Diagnosis To diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy, a healthcare provider conducts a physical examination and reviews the patient’s personal and family medical history. Using a stethoscope, the provider listens to the heart and lungs for signs of abnormal sounds or fluid buildup. Referral to a cardiologist is common for further evaluation. Tests Several diagnostic tests are used to confirm dilated cardiomyopathy and …
Cardiomyopathy
Diagnosis Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle that make it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. Diagnosis usually involves a combination of medical history, physical exam, and imaging tests. Physical examination: Checking for swelling, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and signs of heart failure Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): Detects abnormal heart rhythms and structural changes Echocardiogram: …
Enlarged Heart
Diagnosis To diagnose an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly), your health care provider will typically perform a physical examination and discuss your medical history and symptoms. Tests commonly used to determine the presence and cause of an enlarged heart include: Blood tests: Help detect conditions that can cause heart enlargement or confirm a heart attack by identifying substances from damaged heart muscle. …









