Making a Diagnosis

Healthcare providers, such as those you encounter in your family doctor’s office or in an emergency room, are skilled medical professionals that are trained to assess many different aspect of medicine and patient information to establish an accurate diagnosis. These providers can make diagnoses based on patient history and records, presented signs and symptoms, a physical exam, and diagnostic tests. There are a multitude of tests that can be run to detect a GI disorder including: endoscopy, ultrasound, urinary tests, stool tests, blood tests, CT scan, X-ray, MRI scan, and colonoscopy.¹ The results and analysis of any of these tests can point your provider in the direction of an accurate diagnosis or referral to a specialist. It is extremely beneficial for a patient to provide a detailed and accurate history and be knowledgeable of symptoms to assist their provider in making the diagnosis. The following images illustrate a few of the diagnostic tests mentioned.

                                                                          

X-Ray

Endoscopy

MRI Scan

References:

1.            Abdominal Pain | Symptoms and Conditions | MUSC DDC. Accessed October 19, 2016.