🔍 Stages of Making a Diagnosis:
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Taking Medical History (Anamnesis):
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Patient’s complaints (What hurts? How long? When did it start?)
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Previous illnesses and surgeries
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Family health history
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Lifestyle (smoking, diet, exercise, stress)
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Physical Examination:
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Inspection (looking)
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Palpation (feeling with hands)
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Percussion (tapping to hear sound)
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Auscultation (listening, usually with a stethoscope)
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Additional Tests and Investigations:
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Laboratory tests (blood, urine, etc.)
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Imaging (X-ray, Ultrasound, CT, MRI)
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Other tools (ECG, biopsy, etc.)
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Formulating the Diagnosis:
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Analyze all data
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Compare possible causes (differential diagnosis)
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Eliminate unlikely options
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Confirm a final diagnosis
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📚 Types of Diagnosis:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Preliminary (Provisional) | Based on initial findings, not confirmed yet |
| Clinical (Final) | Confirmed after full examination and testing |
| Differential | A list of possible conditions with similar symptoms |
| Misdiagnosis | A wrong diagnosis (error in identifying the illness) |
| Coexisting (Comorbid) | Other conditions present along with the main illness |
| Complicated Diagnosis | Includes both the main disease and its complications |
🏥 Example of a Diagnosis:
A patient reports chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. After performing an ECG and a blood test, the doctor makes a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).
❗ Why Is Diagnosis Important?
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Ensures correct treatment
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Prevents complications
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Reduces medical errors
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Helps patients recover faster
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Essential for communicating between healthcare professionals