Is a primary diagnosis a definitive diagnosis based on results of tests and examinations?

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I was looking on my insurance website under my personal medical summary and noticed that under one my many primary diagnosis -- one is Multiple Sclerosis. I have currently been undergoing numerous neurological exams hoping to get some clarity out of my current condition. My primary care physician stated he was worried I could have MS or Lupus and referred me to a Neurologist. After $17,000 worth of medical bills and no known diagnosis, I wonder if it has been diagnosed MS. I must state that all my other diagnoses state specific disorders or illnesses. Is a primary diagnosis a definitive diagnosis based on results of tests and examinations? Or is it just a doctor's offices' way of getting paid for tests administered?
The working diagnosis or primary can become a definitive diagnosis when there exist positive test that nails the diagnosis.

MS is a diagnosis of exclusion, rather than a positive lab test or imaging.

If the Neurologist has not put MS down as a definitive diagnosis it is still in the process of being ruled out.

The fat lady has not sung.  (+ info)

Sun kill my eyes make me headache, dizzy and wet eyes but Night time is fine so I have a Eyes disease?

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Night time, I can see anywhere and I have no problem with it, but Day time, I have headache, dizzy and wet in my eyes when outside was SUNNY with blue sky like beautiful, why I always have it for long time? I have a Eyes disease or disorders? if yes? what kind? I need to find a information what kind of it?
  (+ info)

What is the primary factor that differentiates bulimia nervosa from binge eating?

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a.) Purging is rarely practiced in binge-eating disorder
b.) Higher rates of depression are reported in bulimia nervosa
c.) More food is consumed at one setting in binge-eating disorders
d.) Uncontrollable cravings for high-fat foods are seen only in bulimia nervosa
As someone who struggles with bulemia i know for a fact that the main difference is the purging after the binging. A person with binge-eating disorder eats until uncomfortably full and then duznt do anything to offset the calories wile someone with bulemia eats until uncomfortably ful and finds some way to get rid of the calories whether its vomiting, laxitives, extreme excercise or fasting a few days afterwards.  (+ info)

Is it true that medicines prescribed by psychiatrists(for mental disorders) takes times to appear the result?

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I have anxiety and phobia. Once I consuledt a psychiatrist because the next day I had an examination.The doctor told me that for that day's examination he couldn't do anything because the medicine take minimum one month to appear the result.
But If we take medicine for fever or headache it will take only hours to show the result.
What is the reason behind this?Is this true?
Okay, here's your answer. The antidepressants and stuff they give you to treat anxiety work slowly to change the biology of your brain. If it just changed your brain at once, the results wouldn't be pretty. It has to take place slowly or else it would seriously screw up your body, it would all go haywire from the shock. The medications DO have effects, but it takes time for it to appear and help. I have severe OCD, last year it was ruining my life, I was really depressed...It took a while for it to work, but antidepressants have really helped me, now about six months later, I am very much happy, content although my situation with a separate condition has actually gotten much worse, the medication has changed the biology of my brain in a way that helps my OCD, I'm no longer depressed, I can tell myself it's okay and believe that, I'm no longer miserable. I just take things as they come, it can be very difficult, but that's all I can do. I deal with severe Tourette's in addition to mood problems, Tourette's is physical, it makes my body do weird, scary and painful things, it makes my mouth say things I don't want to say. The reason the medications for a headache or whatever only change the biology of our bodily systems, that's very different than the biology of our brains. The body can take a lot of different things, but the brain is so delicate, so intricate, if you made a sudden change, it would start sending gobbled signals to your body and really screw you up.  (+ info)

Can anyone tell me about digestive malabsorption disorders?

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My primary care doctor has referred me to a gastroenterologist for evaluation for a possible malabsorption problem. My only symptoms are unexplained weight loss of a little over 10% of my body weight over the past 6 months and somewhat frequent bowel movements (not diarrhea, just 'going' 3-4X/day, almost always in the morning). My appetite, diet and activity level remain unchanged and I feel fine. I'm too skinny as it is and very worried about losing any more weight.

For the record, I'm a 43-year-old female in otherwise good health; I do have a family history of pancreatic, prostate and colon cancer.

Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms? If so, what was your diagnosis?

I appreciate any insights.
Sounds like Celiac Disease!You have all the symptoms and the family history is very telling. Be sure to ask the GI for the blood test series to test for CD. If it is CD, count your blessings! What other disease can be treated by only the gluten free diet!! No pills, no surgeries, nothing! Just don't eat gluten!! Its amazing!! I had all those symptoms as you and the family history was the same!! I had the consitpation, bloating, (diarrhea or frequent Bm's is another symptom of CD, its different for everyone). dental problems, infertility, stomach pain, bleeding, hair loss, weight loss then gain, acne, sinus problems, ovarian cysts. ALL attributed to Celiac Disease!!

here's more info below from www.csaceliacs.org
Best of luck!
Amy
Chairperson Louisiana North Shore Celiac Sprue Association

What are the symptoms

of Celiac Disease?

The symptoms of celiac disease (CD) vary so widely among patients that there is no such thing as a "typical celiac." The amount of intestinal damage that has occurred and the length of time nutrient absorption has been abnormal seem to be the factors that determine the type and severity of symptoms experienced. It is interesting to note that some people with CD report no symptoms at all.

"Celiac disease is one of the great mimics in gastroenterology in particular and medicine in general. Of 100 patients with CD, just over 10 percent present with classical overt symptoms of malabsorption such as weight loss, diarrhea and nutritional deficiencies. About 10 percent are incorrectly diagnosed for some length of time, in some cases years. Forty percent present in an atypical manner, which leads to lengthy delay in diagnosis. About 33 percent of patients have clinically silent disease and 7 percent have latent CD (no symptoms or small bowel lesion but will develop CD later, or had disease at an early age and resolved)."

C. Robert Dahl, MD, "Celiac Disease: The Great Mimic Presentation," CSA Annual Conference, September 2000,

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A. The Patient's Physical State

What are the symptoms? How long have they been present? How often do they occur?

* Abdominal cramping/bloating



* Feet (Reduced fat padding)

* Abdominal distention



* Flatus (Passing gas)

* Acidosis



* Gluten ataxia

* Appetite (Increased to the point of craving)



* Mouth sores or cracks in the corners

* Back pain (Such as a result of collapsed lumbar vertebrae)



* Muscle cramping (Especially in the hands and legs)

* Constipation



* Night blindness

* Decreased ability to clot blood



* Skin (Very dry)

* Dehydration



* Stools (Loose? Hard? Small? Large? Foul smelling? Floating? Clay, Light tan or Gray-colored? Highly rancid? Frothy?)

* Diarrhea (See Stools below)



* Tongue (Smooth or geographic - looks like different continents)

* Edema



* Tooth enamel defects

* Electrolyte depletion



* Weakness

* Energy loss



* Weight loss

* Fatigue



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B. The Patient's Emotional State

What is the patient's emotional state? Is it consistent throughout the day? When and for how long do the symptoms occur?

* Depression

* Disinterested in normal activities

* Irritable

* Mood changes

* Unable to concentrate

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C. Additional Conditions

What else is involved? Other diseases? Other organs?

* Amenorrhea

* Iron-deficiency anemia

* Bone disease

* Hyperparathyroidism

How is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?

When working with a physician to diagnose and/or confirm celiac disease (CD), three major steps are taken. First, a thorough physical examination is conducted, including a series of blood tests, sometimes referred to as the Celiac Blood Panel. Second, a duodenal biopsy is performed with multiple samples from multiple locations in the small intestine. And third, the gluten-free diet is implemented. When the patient shows a positive response to the diet - symptoms subside and the small intestine returns to its normal, healthy state - the diagnosis of CD is confirmed.

(NOTE: To ensure the most accurate and timely diagnosis, the gluten-free diet should be implemented only after the first two steps have been completed.)


1: Examination

Patient History

When reviewing a patient's medical history and symptoms with a physician, the following areas should be considered in the discussion: (The first three are applicable to adults and children. The last is specific to children.)

* What are the symptoms? How long have they been present? How often do they occur?

* What is the patient's emotional state? Is it consistent throughout the day? When and for how long do the symptoms occur?

* What else is involved? Other diseases? Other organs?

* How is the child developing?

See What are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease? for a thorough list of possible symptoms.

Physical Examination

Depending on the presentation of symptoms, the physician will check for some of the following items:

* emaciation

* pallor (due to anemia)

* hypotension (low blood pressure)

* edema (due to low levels of protein, [albumin] in the blood)

* dermatitis herpetiformis (skin lesions)

* easy bruising (lack of vitamin K)

* bone or skin and mucosa membrane changes due to vitamin deficiencies

* protruding or distended abdomen (intestine dysmotility)

* loss of various sensations in extremities including vibration, position and light touch (vitamin deficiency)

* signs of severe vitamin/mineral deficiencies which may include:
* -diminished deep tendon reflexes

* muscle spasms (magnesium and/or calcium deficiency)

* bone tenderness and bone pain (due to osteomalacia)

Blood Tests

A number of tests, sometimes collectively referred to as the Celiac Blood Panel, will aid the physician in diagnosis. The tests may include, but are not limited to:

*
Serologic Tests

1. EMA (Immunoglobulin A anti-endomysium antibodies)
2. AGA (IgA anti-gliadin antibodies)
3. AGG (IgG anti-gliadin antibodies)
4. tTGA (IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase)

* Tolerance or Measure of Digestion/Absorption Tests

1. Lactose tolerance test.
2. D-Xylose test.

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2: Biopsy

In the event that clinical signs and laboratory tests indicate probable malabsorption, a biopsy of the small intestine [jejunal] is called for. In this test, a small flexible biopsy instrument is passed through a tube, down the throat, through the stomach and into the upper end of the small intestine where patchy, multiple snippets of tissue are gathered. The tube is removed and the tissue samples are examined under a microscope for signs of injury.



CD DiagnosisThe difference between tissue in a normal small intestine and that found in a celiac patient is remarkable. The normal finger-like projections (villi), which increase the absorptive surface area of the small intestine, are partially or totally flattened in a person with celiac disease. Enzymes located on the brush border are also drastically reduced. Lactase, the enzyme responsible for splitting milk sugar (lactose) so it can be absorbed, is an example of one of these brush border enzymes. This decrease in lactase explains why some untreated celiac patients may not be able to tolerate milk products and will have developed lactose intolerance. Elevated numbers of T-cell lymphocytes (white blood cells) are also present. The small bowel biopsy samples of persons with dermatitis herpetiformis often show similar damage.

To view a color-coded illustration of a single villus, visit MEDLINEplus.

NOTE: At this time there is no standardization in either serological testing or intestinal biopsies.

To view a chart showing typical test results for someone with celiac disease

Click Here

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3: Diet

The diagnosis of celiac disease is complete when the health of the patient improves following implementation of the gluten-free (GF) diet. When gluten is removed from the diet, most of the damage that was done to the small intestine (the jejunum) is repaired. It takes only three to six days for the intestinal lining (the mucosa) to show improvement. Within three to six months, most symptoms subside as the mucosa returns to its normal (or nearly normal) state.

For an explanation of the gluten-free diet, see:



* How is Celiac Disease Treated?
* Gluten-Free Diet: Basic Diet Choices
* Gluten-Free Diet: Grains and Flours



If, after six months on the GF diet, symptoms still persist, the following need to be considered:

* Has gluten been removed from every area of your diet and life?





(See How is Celiac Disease Treated? for information on where gluten can "hide" in food and other products.)

* Do unrelated conditions exist that are causing the continued discomfort?





(See How is Celiac Disease Treated? for information on additional conditions that may be present.)



The GF diet is a risk-free diet! Gluten, as a protein, is not essential to the diet and its amino acid components are replaced many times over by other foods. Adopting the GF diet can only result in improved health and well-being.



The medical information on this page was last reviewed/updated on January 1, 2004.  (+ info)

What are three psychlogical disorders?

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and whats the primary symptoms and typical signs of trouble associated with them Why is it significant to know these symptoms?
Depression

Excessive sadness, inability to take pleasure in previously pleasurable activities, sleeplessness or excessive sleepiness, feelings of worthlessness, lack of hunger or excessive eating.

Schizophrenia

Audio hallucinations, paranoia, gradual increase in isolation behavior, avoidance of social situations

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Traumatic stress in past, episodic outbursts of fear/emotions associated with the past stress, rapid heart rate during episodes, episodes can be triggered by memories associated with the stress.

Knowing the symptoms helps make the diagnosis.  (+ info)

What disorders and diseases are associated with migraine headaches?

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Also if applicable can you list the other symptoms. I am looking for things to ask my doctor about next time I go in, because I found things to explain my other symptoms but not the migraines. The disease/disorder can be immune, autoimmune, deficiency, etc etc etc. Thank you!
I have an auto immune disease that can be a big cause of Migraines. It is Antiphospholipid syndrome.
You might also check out a site www.wrongdiagnosis.com.
There is an extensive symptom checker there and lots of info.
Good luck.  (+ info)

What is the primary causative factor of pressure headaches?

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And who would be the first-choice doctor to see in order to treat the pressure-like headaches?
The reasons for headaches are many. Commonest being due to stress and lack of sleep and refraction error. Migraine is also not uncommon. However grave diseases also sometimes are the cause, If the headache is long continued visit a doctor. To know the causes and remedies of headache you may refer to the following link.  (+ info)

What type of headache is this and should i worry?

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About 10 minutes ago i got this real bad headache and it feels like its on top of my head kind of pressure. Ive never gotten this type of headache (from what i can remember). I am 16 years old and a female who suffers from panic disorder, so please help me? is this something to worry about?
It's not a lot to worry about right now, you can release it and be pain free in less than a minute. Your neck muscles go all the way to the top of your head, they allow it to move. When one of those muscles gets tight you can feel that pain like that in your head. Once you release your neck muscles this pain will be gone. Here's how to release them:
Neck
Put your hands alongside your head so your thumbs are on the front of the muscle under your ear and your fingers are on the back of the muscle behind your head. Squeeze your thumb and fingers together and hold. Relax your body. After 45 seconds, slowly lower your head as far as you can, release the pressure but hold your neck lowered for another 30 seconds.
For best results relax your body first by taking a deep breath and exhaling then remain this relaxed.  (+ info)

Advice for caring for someone with gastrointestinal disorders?

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My wife has several diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders that, while treated, frequently cause her severe abdominal cramping/pain and nausea, and often tension headaches.

While we are still trying to get her effective medical treatment, is there any advice anyone has on home treatment/care I could provide to make things easier?

Thanks in advance!
Keep some ibuprofen on hand, it's an anti-inflammatory which will help. Make sure she takes it with food however, even if it's just a dry cracker. She can safely take 600 mg every 6-8 hours. Check with her doctor first in case her gastrointestinal issues won't allow her to take ibuprofen, he might prefer she use Tylenol. If these are ineffective talk to your local doctor about a mild muscle relaxer which will help to ease the cramps.

Make sure she drinks PLENTY of fluids, that's essential, and also get her a hot water bottle that she can hold across her abdomen. A fiber drink might help, but it depends upon the medical issue that she has. Peppermint tea is also good for nausea if she can tolerate it.

Hopefully you'll get some effective help soon. I wish you both the best.  (+ info)

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