Diagnosis During a physical exam, your healthcare professional may apply gentle pressure to the affected muscles, feeling for tender or painful areas called trigger points. Pressing on these points can sometimes produce responses such as a muscle twitch, which helps identify the source of pain. Muscle pain can have many causes. Your healthcare professional may use additional tests and procedures …
Myoclonus
Diagnosis To diagnose myoclonus, a healthcare professional reviews your medical history and symptoms and performs a physical examination. Because myoclonus can be caused by many conditions, additional tests are often needed to identify the cause and rule out other possible disorders. Some people may need imaging tests or nerve and muscle studies to better understand where the abnormal muscle jerks …
Myocarditis
Diagnosis Early diagnosis of myocarditis is important to help prevent long-term heart damage. To begin, a healthcare professional reviews your symptoms, performs a physical exam, and listens to your heart using a stethoscope. Blood and imaging tests are commonly used to assess heart health, confirm myocarditis, and determine how severe the condition may be. Several tests may be used to …
Muscle Strains
Diagnosis Muscle strains are usually diagnosed with a physical examination. During the exam, your doctor checks the injured area for swelling and points of tenderness. The location, severity, and type of pain help determine how extensive the injury is. In more serious injuries, where a muscle or tendon may be completely torn, your doctor may be able to see or …
Mumps
Diagnosis A healthcare provider may diagnose mumps based on typical symptoms and a known or suspected exposure to someone with the infection. Swollen salivary glands, especially near the jaw, are a common sign that helps guide diagnosis. To confirm the diagnosis or detect the virus, the provider may recommend one or more tests, including: A test of a sample collected …
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type 2 (MEN 2)
Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2, also called MEN 2, is a rare condition. It causes tumors in the thyroid and parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, lips, mouth, eyes and digestive tract. Genetic testing can find the changed gene that causes MEN 2. Health care providers can treat the health issues that gene may cause. MEN 2 is an inherited disorder. This means people …
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type 2 (MEN 2)
Diagnosis To diagnose multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2 (MEN 2), your healthcare provider begins with a physical exam and a review of your personal and family medical history. Genetic testing is performed to identify gene changes that cause MEN 2. Additional tests may include: • Blood tests to measure calcitonin, calcium, and parathyroid hormone levels• Urine or plasma tests for …
Multiple System Atrophy
Diagnosis Diagnosing multiple system atrophy can be difficult because its symptoms often overlap with other neurological conditions, especially Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms such as muscle stiffness, slow movement, and difficulty walking may appear similar, which can delay or complicate diagnosis. Your healthcare professional begins by reviewing your medical history and performing a physical and neurological examination. Tests of autonomic nervous system …
Multiple Sclerosis
Diagnosis There is no single test that can definitively diagnose multiple sclerosis. Health care professionals make the diagnosis by combining medical history, a physical and neurological exam, imaging studies, and laboratory results. Part of the diagnostic process also involves ruling out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, known as a differential diagnosis. Neurological examA neurological examination checks how well …
Moyamoya Disease
Diagnosis Moyamoya disease is usually diagnosed by a neurologist who specializes in brain conditions. The neurologist reviews your symptoms, medical history, and family history, and may perform a physical exam. Several tests are typically needed to confirm the diagnosis and assess underlying conditions. Tests may include:• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiogram to view blood circulation in the …