Diagnosis (from the Greek words dia = by and gnosis = knowledge) is the process of identifying a disease by its signs, symptoms and results of various diagnostic procedures. The conclusion reached through that process is also called a diagnosis. The term "diagnostic criteria" designates the combination of symptoms which allows the doctor to ascertain the diagnosis of the respective disease. Typically, someone with abnormal symptoms will consult a physician, who will then obtain a history of their pre ...

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• Diagnosis - History
• Diagnosis - Ancient Greece
• Diagnosis - The Oslerian ideal
• Diagnosis - Garrod's view
• Diagnosis - Present-day Oslerian practice
• Diagnosis - Influence of DNA technology
• Diagnosis - Hypothesis testing

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Definition and meaning of Diagnosis :

Diagnosis:  The process of identifying a disease. (H)

(Source: InsWeb)

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Diagnosis

Indian medicine names three main causes of disease – 'overuse', 'disuse' or 'misuse’ of faculties; 'errors in judgement'; and influence of seasonal changes. According to Ayurveda all human diseases can be classified into the seven broad categories, namely:

1. Genetic (Adibalapravritta)

·      Consists of ailments as obstinate skin diseases, hemorrhoids, diabetes, tuberculosis and asthma that arise primarily due to defects in the sperm (sukra) of the father – when it is called pitrija or the ovum (sonita) of the mother – when it is termed matrja.

·      Undigested food, abnormal behaviour, addiction of any type and stressful situations affect the reproductive elements of both the male and female, resulting in a defective foetus.

2. Congenital (Janmabalapravritta)

·      Caused essentially due to nutritional disorder (rasakrita) and unfulfilled cravings of the mother during pregnancy (dauhrdya)

·      If diet and / or conduct of the mother aggravates vata, the foetus might end up with deformities as kyphosis (hunchback), blindness and dwarfism; increased pitta may cause alopecia and yellowish pigmentation of skin; and enhanced kapha might result in albinism.

3. Constitutional (Doshabalapravritta)

·      Arise out of any dietary or behavioural disturbance brought about by an imbalance in any one of the three vital physical energies (Tridoshas) or the three vital mental energies (Trigunas).

·      Thus constitutional disorders are of two types: somatic (Sharirika) & psychic (Manasika).

4. Traumatic (Sanghatabalapravritta)

·      Undergoing any trauma causing experience – external or internal – leads to this.

·      External trauma is induced by injuries inflicted by sharp instruments and bites of animals or venomous insects.

·      Stress and overstrain lead to internal trauma.

5. Seasonal (Klabalapravritta)

·      Brought about by changes in the nuances of seasonality.

·      Sometimes the body fails to adjust itself to the sudden and abnormal climatic changes – extreme cold might lead to frostbite and rheumatic disease. While extreme heat may cause sunstroke or fever.

6. Infectious and Spiritual (Daivabalapravritta)

·      Either born out of natural calamities as lightning, earthquakes, floods and the invisible, malignant forces of nature.

·      Or contacted through sexual & physical intimacy and sharing of food, plates, bed, clothes, towels and cosmetics with effected friends & relatives.

·      Or as a result of sheer jealousy.

7. Natural (Swabhavbalapravritta)

·      Even the healthiest of people are struck by hunger, thirst, sleep, death or senility.

·      Brought about by functional, organic and natural changes in the body.

In Ayurveda, physicians try to assess the symptoms of these diseases as much as the nature of ailment and its root causes (nidana). This is of utmost importance in ensuring correct choice of remedial & preventive measures for treatment of the disease. For otherwise, even after therapy, one might not get the desired response and there would remain a chance of recurrence.

The early signs and symptoms (purvaroopa) provide useful warnings and the opportunity for taking necessary action before a disease can assume dangerous magnitudes. The main signs and symptoms (roopa) reflect the true nature and intensity of the disease. Another oft used method of diagnosis is exploratory therapy (upasaya) which uses diet, medicines and routines to detect diseases otherwise difficult to diagnose. Acting either against the cause of disease or the disease itself or producing relief. For example a swelling that is alleviated by an oily & hot massage, is obviously caused by an imbalance of vata.

(See also: Diagnosis, Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Pulse diagnosis is a diagnostic technique to be used in Ayurveda and other Asian traditional medicines. Advocates claim that by taking a pulse, for instance in ayurveda, imbalances of vata, pitta, and kapha doshes may be discovered. It may also be possible to identify the presence and location of certain kinds of disorders in the patient's body. Advocates also claim that identifying imbalances in the body's physiology through this symptom may help them prevent the full development of a disease. In no system of medicine is pulse diagnosis used in isolation; in all cases it is combined wit ...

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The diagnosis can be established by measuring catecholamine and metanefrine in plasma or urine. One diagnostic test used in the past for a pheochromocytoma is to administer clonidine (Catapres®), a centrally-acting alpha-2 agonist used to treat high blood pressure. Clonidine mimics catecholamines in the brain, causing it to reduce the activity of the sympathetic nerves controlling the adrenal medulla. A healthy adrenal medulla will respond to clonidine by reducing catecholamine production; the lack of a response is evidence of pheochromocyt ...

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Pheochromocytoma, Pheochromocytoma - Inheritance, Pheochromocytoma - Features, Pheochromocytoma - Diagnosis, Pheochromocytoma - Differential diagnosis, Pheochromocytoma - Treatment

Read more here: » Pheochromocytoma: Encyclopedia II - Pheochromocytoma - Diagnosis

The diagnosis may be suspected as coagulation testing reveals an increased PTT in the context of a normal PT and bleeding time. The diagnosis is made in the presence of very low (<10 IU) levels of factor VIII. A family history is frequently present, although not essential. Nowadays, genetic testing may also be performed. The most important differential diagnosis is that of hemophilia B (also known as Christmas disease) or von Willebrand disease. The former is usually considered if factor VIII levels are normal in a person with a haemophilia phenotype. The latter is excl ...

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Haemophilia A, Haemophilia A - Signs and symptoms, Haemophilia A - Diagnosis, Haemophilia A - Therapy

Read more here: » Haemophilia A: Encyclopedia II - Haemophilia A - Diagnosis

When rhabdomyosarcoma is suspected, tests will be run for blood, muscle, and marrow. Diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma depends on recognition of differentiation toward skeletal muscle cells. The protein myo D1 is a protein normally found in developing skeletal muscle cells which disappears after the muscle matures and becomes innervated by a nerve. Thus, myo D1 is not found in normal skeletal muscle and serves as a us ...

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Rhabdomyosarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma - Diagnosis, Rhabdomyosarcoma - Treatment

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Proper differential diagnosis between the types of dementia (see below) will require, at the least, referral to a specialist, e.g. a geriatric internist, geriatric psychiatrist or neurologist. However, there are some brief (5-15 minutes) tests that have good reliability and can be used in the office or other setting to evaluate cognitive status. Examples of such tests include the abbreviated mental test score (AMTS) and the ...

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Nitrite and leukocytes on a urine dipstick are often detected, which may be an indication for empirical treatment. Formal diagnosis is with culture of the urine and bloods. In patients with recurrent ascending urinary tract infections, it may be necessary to exclude an anatomical abnormality, such as vesicoureteric reflux (urine from the bladder flowing back into the ureter). ...

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Pyelonephritis, Pyelonephritis - Pathology, Pyelonephritis - Signs and symptoms, Pyelonephritis - Diagnosis, Pyelonephritis - Treatment

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Often, the diagnosis is made on the basis of the medical history and some blood tests—especially in young people in whom the risk of malignancy is negligible and the symptoms are generally self-limited. Ultrasound investigation of the renal tract is often used to distinguish between various sources of bleeding. X-rays can be used to identify kidney stones, although CT scanning is probably more precise. In older patients, cystoscopy with biopsy of suspected lesions is often empl ...

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Hematuria, Hematuria - Types, Hematuria - Analysis, Hematuria - Diagnosis, Hematuria - Causes

Read more here: » Hematuria: Encyclopedia II - Hematuria - Diagnosis

The only test for trimethylaminuria at this time is a urine test for elevated levels of trimethylamine. A similar test can be used to identify carriers of this condition - those individuals who carry one copy of a mutated gene but do not have symptoms. In this case, the person would be given a high dose of choline (one of the precursors of trimethylamine) and then have their urine tested for elevated levels of trimethylamine. ...

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Trimethylaminuria, Trimethylaminuria - Diagnosis, Trimethylaminuria - Treatment, Trimethylaminuria - Genetics

Read more here: » Trimethylaminuria: Encyclopedia II - Trimethylaminuria - Diagnosis

Stridor is usually diagnosed on the basis of history and physical examination, with a view to revealing the underlying problem or condition. Chest and neck x-rays, CT-scans, and / or MRIs may reveal structural pathology. Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy can also be very helpful, especially in assessing vocal cord function of in looking for signs of compression or infection. ...

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Stridor, Stridor - Treatment, Stridor - Causes, Stridor - Diagnosis, Stridor - Reference

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A definite history of contact with soil or animals may not be elicited as melioidosis can be dormant for many years before becoming acute. Attention should be paid to a history of travel to endemic areas in returned travellers. Patients with diabetes mellitus often have a more serious presentation of melioidosis. A definitive diagnosis can be made by growing B. pseudomallei from blood cultures or from pus aspirated from an abscess. Culture mediums may need to have additional agents added to facilit ...

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Melioidosis, Melioidosis - Symptoms and signs, Melioidosis - Diagnosis, Melioidosis - Treatment, Melioidosis - Prognosis, Melioidosis - Prevention

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Spermatoceles can be discovered as incidental scrotal masses found on physical examination by a physician. They may also be discovered by self-inspection of the scrotum and testicles. Finding a painless, cystic mass at the head of the epididymis, that transilluminates and can be clearly differentiated from the testicle, is generally sufficient. If uncertainty exists, ultrasonography of the scrotum can confirm if it is spe ...

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Spermatocele, Spermatocele - Epidemiology, Spermatocele - Diagnosis, Spermatocele - Treatment, Spermatocele - Related Terms

Read more here: » Spermatocele: Encyclopedia II - Spermatocele - Diagnosis

As with the rest of medicine, important clues as to the cause of any symptom are gained in the history and physical examination. Laboratory tests are almost always aimed at: urea, creatinine, electrolytes, and urinalysis-- which is frequently the key test in suggesting a diagnosis. More specialized tests can be ordered to discover or link certain systemic diseases to kidney failure such as hepatitis b or hepatitis c, lupus serologies, paraproteinemias such as amyloidosis or multiple myeloma or various other systemic diseases th ...

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Nephrology, Nephrology - Scope of the specialty, Nephrology - Who sees a nephrologist?, Nephrology - Diagnosis, Nephrology - Therapy

Read more here: » Nephrology: Encyclopedia II - Nephrology - Diagnosis

Sporotrichosis is a chronic disease with slow progression and often subtle symptoms. It is difficult to diagnose, as many other diseases share similar symptoms and therefore must be ruled out. Patients with sporotrichosis will have antibody against the fungus S. schenckii, however, due to variability in sensitivity and specificity, it may not be a reliable diagnosis for this disease. The confirming diagnosis remains culturing the fungus from the skin, sput ...

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Sporotrichosis, Sporotrichosis - Forms and symptoms of sporotrichosis, Sporotrichosis - Diagnosis, Sporotrichosis - Prevention, Sporotrichosis - Treatment, Sporotrichosis - Complications

Read more here: » Sporotrichosis: Encyclopedia II - Sporotrichosis - Diagnosis

The diagnosis is essentially made by the patient's description of the symptoms. Enquiring about dietary habits may reveal a low intake of dietary fiber or inadequate amounts of fluids. Constipation as a result of immobility or side effect of other medications should be considered in the elderly. Rarely other symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism may be elicited. During physical examination, scybala (manually palpable lumps of stool) may be detected. Rectal examination gives an impression of the anal sphincter tone and whether t ...

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Constipation, Constipation - Signs and symptoms, Constipation - Diagnosis, Constipation - Causes, Constipation - Treatment, Constipation - In art

Read more here: » Constipation: Encyclopedia II - Constipation - Diagnosis

Conjunctivitis - Symptoms. Redness, irritation and watering of the eyes are symptoms common to all forms of conjunctivitis. Itch is variable. Acute allergic conjunctivitis is typically itchy, sometimes distressingly so, and the patient often complains of some lid swelling. Chronic allergy often causes just itch or irritation, and often much frustration because the absence of redness or dis ...

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Conjunctivitis, Conjunctivitis - Epidemiology, Conjunctivitis - Diagnosis, Conjunctivitis - Symptoms, Conjunctivitis - Signs, Conjunctivitis - Differential diagnosis, Conjunctivitis - Investigations, Conjunctivitis - Treatment and management

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Laboratory tests might include: full blood count, liver enzymes, renal function and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. If the cause for the high platelet count remains unclear, bone marrow biopsy is often undertaken, to differentiate whether the high platelet count is reactive or essential. ...

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Thrombocytosis, Thrombocytosis - Signs and symptoms, Thrombocytosis - Diagnosis, Thrombocytosis - Causes, Thrombocytosis - Treatment, Thrombocytosis - Reference

Read more here: » Thrombocytosis: Encyclopedia II - Thrombocytosis - Diagnosis

Physicians now use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose syringomyelia. The MR imager takes pictures of body structures, such as the brain and spinal cord, in vivid detail. This test will show the syrinx in the spine or any other conditions, such as the presence of a tumor. MRI is safe, painless, and informative and has greatly improved the diagnosis of syringomyelia. The physician may order additional tests to help confirm the diagnosis. One of these is called electromyography (EMG), which measures muscle weakness. The doctor ...

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Syringomyelia, Syringomyelia - The Cause, Syringomyelia - Different Origins, Syringomyelia - Diagnosis, Syringomyelia - Treatment, Syringomyelia - Research, Syringomyelia - Organizations

Read more here: » Syringomyelia: Encyclopedia II - Syringomyelia - Diagnosis