Diagnosis

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.

Related Topics:
Greek - Disease - Signs - Symptom

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Typically, someone with abnormal symptoms will consult a physician, who will then obtain a history of their present illness and examine them for signs of disease. The physician will formulate a hypothesis of likely diagnoses and in many cases will obtain further testing to confirm or clarify the diagnosis before proceeding to render treatment.

Related Topics:
Physician - Treatment

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Forms of testing commonly performed are urine tests, stool samples, saliva samples, blood tests, medical imaging, electrocardiogram, urinalysis and, occasionally, biopsy.

Related Topics:
Urine test - Stool sample - Saliva sample - Blood test - Medical imaging - Electrocardiogram - Urinalysis - Biopsy

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The list of most likely and possible diagnoses based on available information is called a differential diagnosis; the final diagnosis is only arrived at after other diseases on this list have been eliminated through further investigations or consultations.

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