How do I get diagnosed for a medical condition?

How to Get Diagnosed for a Medical Condition

The diagnostic process for any medical condition begins with consulting a healthcare provider who will document your signs and symptoms, take a careful history, and perform a physical examination of the relevant body systems. 1

General Diagnostic Approach

Step 1: Prepare for Your Medical Visit

• Keep a symptom journal documenting:
  • When symptoms started
  • How often they occur
  • How long they last
  • What makes them better or worse
  • Any patterns related to activities or time of day
• List all medications and supplements you take
• Gather your family medical history

Step 2: Initial Medical Consultation

• Your healthcare provider will:
  • Ask specific questions about your symptoms 1
  • Perform a physical examination focused on the affected body systems
  • Look for "red flags" or alarm symptoms that might indicate serious conditions 1

Step 3: Diagnostic Testing

Based on your symptoms and examination findings, your provider may order:

• Laboratory tests: Blood tests, urine tests, or other fluid analyses
• Imaging studies: X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI
• Specialized tests: Based on suspected condition (e.g., audiogram for hearing issues 1, electrocardiogram for heart conditions)

Condition-Specific Diagnostic Approaches

For Suspected Ménière's Disease

• Audiogram to measure hearing levels
• Video- or electronystagmogram to evaluate vestibular function
• Electrocochleography to measure electrical responses of the cochlea
• MRI of the brain to rule out other conditions 1

For Suspected Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

• Dix-Hallpike test or supine roll test to observe specific eye movements when the head is positioned in certain ways 1

For Suspected Diabetes

• Fasting plasma glucose test
• Hemoglobin A1C test
• Oral glucose tolerance test
• Note: In certain conditions (pregnancy, sickle cell disease, recent blood loss), only plasma blood glucose criteria should be used 1

For Suspected Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Diagnosis based on Rome II criteria (abdominal pain/discomfort with specific characteristics for at least 12 weeks in the preceding 12 months)
• Stool examination for parasites, occult blood
• Complete blood count and sedimentation rate
• Additional testing as indicated by symptoms 1

For Suspected Peyronie's Disease

• In-office intracavernosal injection test with or without duplex Doppler ultrasound 1

Important Considerations

Barriers to Diagnosis

Be aware of factors that might delay seeking medical care:

• Lack of knowledge about the disease and its treatment
• Fear of the disease or subsequent treatments
• Stigmatization concerns
• Privacy concerns
• Economic consequences of diagnosis 2

Facilitating Diagnosis

To improve your diagnostic experience:

• Seek accurate and informative communication about your symptoms
• Be honest about symptom severity
• Choose healthcare facilities that are easy to access
• Develop a good relationship with your healthcare provider 2

Role of Online Information

• Online research before diagnosis can impact all stages of the diagnostic process
• Web information can help evaluate symptoms and possible causes
• However, discuss all information found online with your healthcare provider 3

When to Seek Specialized Care

Some conditions require evaluation by specialists with specific expertise and diagnostic tools. For example:

• Neurological conditions may require evaluation by a neurologist
• Vestibular disorders may require an otolaryngologist
• Genetic conditions like Fragile X syndrome require specialized genetic testing 4

Remember that the diagnostic process may take time and multiple visits, especially for complex conditions. Keeping detailed records of your symptoms and being prepared with questions for your healthcare provider will help facilitate an accurate diagnosis.