Diagnostic Tests detect and confirm the presence or absence of any disease, injury, or severe health condition at an early stage. Through such tests, doctors help their patients live healthier lives by identifying issues at their early stages.
Some tests require simple tools and can be carried out in the diagnostic centre itself. On the other hand, others require advanced tools for the detection of physical ailments and damages. These Diagnostic tests involve MRIs, PET scans, CT scans, etc, and are done by using different apparatuses in a diagnostic centre that are specifically designed for it.
Many other tests check body fluids and tissue samples to help in the detection of any detrimental health conditions. In this article, we will be talking about the most common diagnostic tests that you should know about before searching for the best ‘diagnostic centre near me’.
7 Types of Diagnostic Tests
1. Xray
X-ray tests are one of the most common diagnostic tests. This test involves the doctor passing painless beams on the patient’s bones, which get absorbed in different amounts depending upon factors such as bone density. There are various kinds of X-ray tests that your doctor might wish to run on you in a diagnostic centre depending on your condition.
2. CT Scan
A Computed tomography scan, popularly known as the CT scan, is an imaging procedure too. However, unlike x-ray tests, the results of a CT scan are much more detailed. Through this test, doctors get a detailed image of the patient’s internal components like muscles and blood vessels too.
3. MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is another imaging test. It involves combining magnetic fields and radio waves to obtain a detailed view of components like the organs and tissues of a patient’s body. MRI is particularly useful in identifying diseases that might go unnoticed through a CT scan.
4. Mammogram
A mammogram is used to detect breast cancer in women. It also helps to keep a record of progression during the treatment. Mammograms are usually of 2 types – diagnostic mammogram and screening mammogram.
5. Ultrasound
Ultrasound, also known as sonography, uses high-frequency sound waves to create images that showcase the condition of organs and vessels in a clinical diagnostic centre. Since it does not involve any kind of radiation being emitted, it is safe for vulnerable patients such as pregnant women.
6. PET Scans
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is another imaging test that helps reveal metabolic functioning at the cellular level. This test involves using a mildly radioactive drug diagnostic centre to identify any abnormally increased activity amongst the cells of a patient’s body.
7. Pathology Tests
Pathology tests are common to detect Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. A blood sugar test is one of the most common pathology tests. It may also involve testing the patient’s urine, feces, and sputum samples.
Where to get these diagnostic tests done?
The 7 most common diagnostic tests can take place at any clinical diagnostic centre. If there’s an issue with knowing where to find a diagnostic centre, the patient can just search ‘diagnostic centre near me’ in google maps.
One should only get his or her diagnostic tests done in a clinic that has proper pieces of equipment that are marked up to date. Any mistakes in these kinds of reports can cause a risk to the lives of the patients, and going for the first result of the search ‘diagnostic centre near me’ might not be the best decision.
To avoid this, it is important to check if a specific clinic is certified or not. The doctor should be able to make out if there are any casualties and detect diseases or illnesses as early as possible and provide the required treatment, hence one should only go to a reputed diagnostic centre to get tested.
Tips to Prepare for Diagnostic Tests
- Only a few specific tests require preparation for lab tests like fasting, avoiding eating any specific food, or taking a few steps in advancement. The instructions for any lab tests are provided by the practitioners, so make sure to go through them before getting tested.
- It is very important to follow up with the doctor after any diagnostic tests because the content of the results is meant to be the supplement and not the actual guidance.
- There are many factors that determine the cost of a lab test such as the type of test you are undertaking, where the test is being performed, and whether or not you have insurance coverage for a clinical diagnostic centre. Make sure to know the costs before you book a test.
Conclusion
Diagnostics tests play a very vital role in the healthcare sector since it helps to monitor the proper functioning of the body and to detect vital and severe changes in the body. For scheduling a test, it’s as easy as finding the nearest diagnostic centre and calling them to get an appointment.
Now that you know better than simply searching ‘diagnostic centre near me’, you can be a more informed patient. Hopefully, this article will provide you with all the information that you need to possess when it comes to common diagnostic tests.
