Medical tests

It is the job of the doctor to form a preliminary assessment of your condition. They generally order tests to confirm or rule out a condition or disease. This process is called differential diagnosis. It is system of narrowing down, through the process of elimination, a working diagnosis of your condition. There are literally hundreds of medcial tests available to your doctor, from blood panels to exploratory surgery. Don't be shy about asking the doctor why a specific test was ordered and what is likely to be learned from such a test. Be sure to ask if there are any dangers or side effects?

Find out about:
X-Ray
MRI
CAT Scan
EMG

X-Ray

Also referred to as radiography, x-rays are often used as the first diagnostic tool for detecting gross abnormalities such as broken and fractured bones, and degenerative changes of the spine. X-rays are not favored for showing subtle detail often required in determining a disk bulge or herniation. There is no patient discomfort; it cost effective and the radiation levels are fairly low. Most physicians believe the risk of radiation is low compared to the benefits.

MRI

Also referred to as magnetic resonance imaging. The MRI is considered the most powerful diagnostic tool for actually seeing detailed images of the human body. The MRI can show the exact location and shape of a disk bulge or herniation, it can show detailed images of lesions, soft tissue and spinal cord abnormalities to name a few. One complete scan can take about an hour to perform. It is noninvasive, painless, and there are no documented side effects. The most common complaint is the length of time it takes and the feeling of being closed in while lying flat within the MRI scanner. The major disadvantage of the MRI is its high cost. A basic scan of the cervical and lumbar region of the spine can exceed two thousand dollars. Also, since the MRI uses strong magnetic fields to create the images, people that have implanted metallic objects or pacemakers are not allowed to have the test.

CAT Scan

Also referred to as computerized tomography, the patient is asked to lie on a narrow table within the scanner. Many times a dye must be injected into a vein to create a better contrast of the image being scanned. Dye injections may cause a warm sensation as it travels through the body. Like the MRI, CT scans offer a very high resolution of the part of the body being scanned. The major drawback is the need for the injected dye, which is iodine based, and which can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

EMG

Also referred to as an Electromyography or myogram, this test is most useful in determining levels of weakness in certain muscle groups. It can used to distinguish loss of strength as a result of pain or atrophy verses neurological damage. The EMG is an electrode sensor that is inserted into the muscle. The electrical impulse that travels to the muscle or muscle group can reveal the ability of the muscle to respond to nerve stimulation. After the examination the patient may feel sore or tender in the area tested.

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