A healthcare provider diagnoses MRSA by sending a sample of body tissue or fluid to a lab to be tested. They might try to grow (culture) bacteria from the sample. Examples of samples they could test include: Blood. Tissue from a wound. Urine (pee). Sputum (mucus coughed up from your lungs). Providers sometimes test for MRSA colonization with a skin …

Your healthcare provider will begin an exam for metatarsalgia by asking about your symptoms. They’ll also examine your foot manually. You may need a foot X-ray to rule out stress fractures or other problems that could be causing your pain. Other times, they may order an ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to assess the soft tissues surrounding your metatarsophalangeal joints.

Tests and procedures to diagnose prostate cancer may include: Blood tests. Blood tests can measure the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Also called PSA, this chemical is made in the prostate. Sometimes prostate cancer causes the prostate to make extra PSA. Having a higher than expected level of PSA in the blood may be a sign of prostate cancer. Imaging tests. Imaging tests take …

If your or your child’s healthcare provider (often, a neurologist) suspects metachromatic leukodystrophy based on your symptoms, they’ll likely order these tests: Genetic testing: This can identify mutations in the ARSA and PSAP genes, which are responsible for MLD. Biochemical testing: This testing measures your levels of sulfatides. Tests include sulfatase enzyme activity and urine (pee) sulfatide levels. Brain MRI: A brain MRI can confirm …

Your doctor diagnoses mesenteric ischemia based on a combination of a physical examination, lab tests and imaging. Unfortunately, this condition is usually difficult to diagnose in its early stages. An additional challenge is that many people with this condition can’t talk or answer questions easily, especially if they’re in a lot of pain. What tests will be done to diagnose …

To determine a diagnosis and check for related complications, you may have: A physical exam. Your doctor will try to rule out physical problems that could cause your symptoms. Lab tests. These may include, for example, a check of your thyroid function or a screening for alcohol and drugs. A psychological evaluation. A doctor or mental health professional talks to you about your …

There are several ways your healthcare provider can diagnose menopause. The first is discussing your menstrual cycle over the last year. Menopause is unique in that your provider will diagnose it after it occurs. If you’ve gone a full year (12 straight months) without a period, you’ve entered menopause and are postmenopausal. Blood tests that check certain hormone levels can suggest …

Your healthcare provider will physically examine your knee, looking for signs of swelling. They’ll test your range of motion using a McMurray test or Thessaly test. You may also get imaging tests, like X-rays or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), to assess the damage. Your provider may recommend knee arthroscopy to better view and accurately diagnose your injury. During this procedure, the surgeon inserts a tiny camera …

Your healthcare provider will diagnose meningitis by doing a physical exam, asking you about your symptoms and testing your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). They may also ask you if you’ve been around anyone with certain illnesses or traveled recently, get a blood or poop (stool) sample, swab your nose or throat or get imaging of your brain. What tests will be …

A meningioma can be difficult to diagnose because it often grows slowly and often doesn’t cause symptoms until it’s big enough to affect neighboring areas of your brain. In addition, the majority of meningiomas are slow growing and mainly affect adults. The symptoms may be so mild that the affected person and/or their healthcare provider may attribute them to the …