The word “diagnosis” comes from the Greek, meaning “to distinguish.” It is the process of finding out the cause of a disease or injury. A diagnosis can be made by looking at the person’s symptoms and medical history. It can also be made with tests, such as X-rays, blood tests, and biopsies.
A diagnosis is important because it helps to find the right treatment. Without a diagnosis, people might get treatment that doesn’t help or might even make their condition worse.
There are different types of diagnoses. The most common type is a physical examination, which is when a doctor looks at the person’s body and asks questions about their health. Other types of diagnoses include:
• Blood tests: These test for things like infections and diabetes. They can also show whether someone has too much or too little of certain substances in their blood.
• Imaging tests: These create pictures of inside the body. They can show things like tumors or broken bones. Common imaging tests include X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans.
• Biopsy: This is when a doctor removes tissue from the body to look at it under a microscope. Biopsies are often done to check for cancerous cells