Medical diagnosis facts for kids
A medical diagnosis is when a doctor figures out what is making someone feel unwell. It's like solving a mystery to find out the cause of a sickness. Doctors use different ways to understand what is happening in a person's body.
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How Doctors Find Out What's Wrong
When you don't feel well, a doctor's main job is to find out why. This process is called making a diagnosis. It helps them understand your health problem.
Asking Questions and Looking Closely
Doctors often start by asking you questions. They want to know about your symptoms, like if you have a headache or feel tired. They also ask about your health history. This means they want to know if you've been sick before or if anyone in your family has similar problems.
After asking questions, a doctor might do a physical exam. This means they will check your body. They might listen to your heart and lungs, feel your stomach, or look at your throat. These steps give them important clues about your health.
What Are Medical Tests?
Sometimes, doctors need more information than what they can get from questions and a physical exam. That's when they might use medical tests. These tests help them see what's happening inside your body.
- Blood Tests: A small sample of your blood can tell doctors many things. It can show if you have an infection or if certain parts of your body are working correctly.
- Urine Tests: Like blood, a urine sample can give clues about your health. It can help check your kidneys or find infections.
- Tissue Samples: Sometimes, a tiny piece of tissue is taken from your body. This is sent to a special lab to be looked at very closely.
- X-rays: An X-ray is a picture of the inside of your body. It can show bones, like if one is broken, or other parts of your body.
These tests are important tools. They help doctors understand how your body is working. They also help them find out what might be causing your sickness.
What Happens After a Diagnosis?
Once a doctor has made a diagnosis, they will explain what is wrong. Then, they can recommend a treatment. Treatment is what you do to get better. It might be taking medicine, resting, or doing special exercises. The diagnosis helps the doctor choose the best way to help you feel healthy again.
Images for kids
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An example of a medical algorithm for assessment and treatment of overweight and obesity.
See also
In Spanish: Diagnóstico médico para niños
