A healthcare provider will diagnose polymyositis with a physical exam and some tests. They’ll ask about your symptoms and examine the muscles that are feeling weak or experiencing symptoms. Your provider will ask you how it feels when you do certain movements or motions. Your provider will use a few tests to diagnose polymyositis. Some of these tests will rule out other …

A polymyalgia rheumatica diagnosis can be difficult for a healthcare provider to make because the condition is similar to several other medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, pseudogout, myositis and other connective tissue diseases as well as degenerative joint disease. Your provider will have to rule out these other conditions before making a diagnosis. Your provider will ask about your medical history and perform a physical examination. …

Polymorphous light eruption is typically diagnosed with a thorough health history and skin examination. A skin biopsy, or tissue sample, may be obtained to confirm the diagnosis. Your healthcare provider may recommend a blood test to rule out other medical conditions, like lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease that can also cause a rash following sun exposure.

Your pregnancy care provider will measure your abdomen (a measurement called fundal height) to determine if your uterus is too large. Typically, that means you’re measuring two or more weeks ahead of your expected due date. They’ll use an ultrasound to measure how much amniotic fluid is in your uterus. There are two ways to do this: amniotic fluid index (AFI) and maximum …

The World Health Organization (WHO) requires three separate criteria to diagnose polycythemia vera: Criteria 1: Blood test showing high red blood cell count: Red blood cells may be measured as: High hemoglobin count (protein found in red blood cells). High hematocrit levels (percentage of red blood cells). High blood volume (red cell mass). Criteria 2: Bone marrow biopsy showing either: Excess of blood cells in the bone marrow, or Excess …

A healthcare provider diagnoses polio by performing a physical exam, testing samples of body fluids and asking you about your symptoms. It’s important to let your provider know if you’ve traveled anywhere recently. Your provider might take samples of body fluids to look for signs of polio or other infections, including: Spit (saliva) from your throat. Poop (stool). Blood. Cerebrospinal …

A healthcare provider will look at the rash, assess your symptoms and ask questions to determine if you could’ve encountered a poisonous plant. Other allergens and irritants besides poisonous plants can cause contact dermatitis or an itchy rash. If you haven’t been outdoors or in contact with plants, your provider will rule out other skin conditions or causes.

Your provider will ask about your medical history and symptoms. They’ll perform a physical exam to check for signs of POEMS syndrome. Your provider may perform several tests, including: Blood and urine tests: Your provider may test a blood or urine sample to see if you have high levels of M-protein or VEGF. They may perform a blood test to …

A healthcare provider can diagnose pneumonitis. They’ll examine your symptoms, review your medical history and conduct a physical examination. During the physical exam, they’ll listen to your lungs with a stethoscope (auscultation). They’ll also order tests to help confirm their diagnosis. What tests will be done to diagnose pneumonitis? To help confirm pneumonitis, a healthcare provider may order the following tests: …

To diagnose pneumonia, a healthcare provider will ask about your health history and conduct a physical exam. They’ll listen to your lungs with a stethoscope and may perform or order additional tests. These include imaging (like chest X-rays), pulse oximetry (checking oxygen levels in your blood), blood tests or sputum (spit) tests. Even if your healthcare provider confirms that you …