Diagnostic testing helps medical providers identify health issues

Your primary care provider can determine the cause of your symptoms by using diagnostic testing

The primary care providers at Germantown Primary Care Associates often use diagnostic testing to help determine the cause of a patient’s medical complaints and their symptoms.   This type of testing provides the doctor or medical provider and understanding of what is happening within the patient’s body.

The process of diagnostic testing

The possibility of determining what is wrong with the patient using diagnostic testing usually outweighs any risk to the patient.  Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD always ensure their patients completely understand all the risks and possible results from any diagnostic testing. Patients should meet with the medical provider before undergoing any diagnostic testing and should ask any questions they may have. 

Using diagnostic testing to assess medical treatment

In addition to being a tool for diagnosis, diagnostic testing is also used by the medical providers at Germantown Primary Care Associates to measure how much certain treatment is helping a patient recover from a medical condition or to help confirm that a patient no longer has the disease or condition.  Diagnostic testing may also be used by the medical providers at Germantown Primary Care Associates to estimate how likely a patient is to recover from a disease.  Since medical conditions are different with every Montgomery County patient, an individual may need to undergo a series of diagnostic testing.

For Germantown MD and Montgomery County patients, the medical providers at Germantown Primary Care Associates use diagnostic testing to help provide the best medical care possible.

Help identify allergies with diagnostic testing

Diagnostic testing helps identify allergies

For many spring brings runny noses and sneezing. The physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates can perform diagnostic testing to determine which allergens are impacting you and the best treatment.  They are one of the best medical clinics in Montgomery County, providing quality care to all of their patients. 

Molds

Following winter, molds begin.  Mold counts typically peak in summer and into fall. 

Tree pollen

The earliest pollen triggers are from budding trees which begin to pollinate anywhere from February all the way through May.

Surviving allergy season

The first thing to do is to get allergy diagnostic testing at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD to determine exactly which allergens affect you. 

Talk with your physician

Discuss allergy diagnostic testing with your physician or health care provider.  They can then prescribe allergy medications. 

Keep your windows and doors closed

Mold and pollen spores come in through the screens and find their way into your body, causing itchy and water eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. 

Time outdoor activities

Do not take part in activities outside in the morning.  Pollen and mold counts tend to be higher early in the day.

Take medication

Taking antihistamines can help, especially if you need to do yard work or be outside for an extended period of time. 

The medical staff at Germantown Primary Care in Germantown MD can prescribe medication to help you get through the Montgomery County allergy season. To determine exactly what you are allergic to, ask them about allergy diagnostic testing.  

Recommended diagnostic testing for young women

The types of diagnostic testing

It is true that prevention is better than the cure.  Everyone should have certain diagnostic testing done periodically.  The physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates can help determine which diagnostic testing is right for you. 

Essential diagnostic testing for young women

For all young women, there are a few screening tests which should be performed annually or every two years.  These tests help determine if a young woman is susceptible to certain conditions or illnesses. 

Breast cancer – This is an important diagnostic testing which should be done by all women once they reach their 20s. The primary care physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates can provide guidance on when a woman should get her mammogram.

Cervical cancer – Diagnostic testing for cervical cancer is done by a Pap smear.  A Pap smear detects abnormal cells on the cervix.  Most women should have their first Pap smear by age 21 and then every two years. 

HIV – Everyone should undergo diagnostic testing for at least once.  Early detection and treatment of HIV cannot cure the disease, but can help the body fight off infection. 

Hepatitis B – Hepatitis B is a liver condition.  There are vaccines available for Hepatitis B which should be taken if the diagnostic testing results are negative. 

Skin cancer – Early detection of skin cancer helps make treatment more effective.  Any discolorations or changes in moles, freckles or other skin marks should be looked at by a primary care physician. 

In Germantown, Maryland, Germantown Primary Care Associates does all type so diagnostic testing right in their facility.  Give them a call today to get the diagnostic testing you need. 

Diagnostic testing helps with early diagnosis of disease

Diagnostic testing helps diagnosis disease

Doctors and health practitioners use diagnostic testing to screen for diseases in people.  The primary goal of diagnostic testing is the early identification of diseases.  Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can perform a variety of diagnostic tests including lab work, x-rays, electrocardiograms, EKGs, cardiac stress tests, pulmonary function tests, drug screenings, and toxic substances screenings. 

Diagnostic testing accuracy

While never 100 percent accurate, most diagnostic tests are very accurate and help to identify the possibility of a disease early on.  Diagnostic testing may not be right for everyone.  There are some groups of people who can benefit from certain diagnostic testing such as people with a history of colorectal cancer who should have regular colonoscopies or colorectal examinations.  It also includes women who should undergo Pap smears and mammograms regularly.  Some of the most reliable diagnostic testing is for cardiac disease.  There are several risk factors for this disease and determining if a person has any of these can help a physician with diagnosis.   

High blood pressure is not only a risk factor for heart disease, but also for kidney failure, stroke, and eye problems.  At Germantown Primary Care Associates, our health care staff conduct blood pressure checks every time a patient arrives for an appointment.  Normal blood pressure is no higher than 140/90 and usually the lower the blood pressure, the lower the risk of more serious diseases.  If a patient has a high blood pressure reading, the physician will typically ask for at least three blood pressure readings over a certain period of time. 

It is always a good idea to undergo diagnostic testing if your doctor recommends it. The primary care doctors and staff at Germantown Primary Care Associates are experts in diagnostic testing, so call them today for your annual health screening. 

The best diagnostic testing for heart disease

Your physician can use diagnostic testing diagnose heart disease?

If you may have some type of heart disease, your primary care doctor will perform diagnostic testing to determine the problem.  Your doctor will also listen to your heart, check your blood pressure and take your heart rate. 

The EKG or electrocardiogram

One of the primary diagnostic tests used to determine heart disease is the EKG.  This type of diagnostic testing records the electrical activity in your heart.  The technician will attack small electrode patches to your arms, chest, and legs.    

The chest x-ray

Another type of diagnostic testing for heart disease is the chest x-ray.  This test uses a small amount of radiation to produce an image of your heart.  Your primary care doctor at Germantown Primary Care Associates will use the chest x-ray to evaluate your health and determine if you have heart disease. 

The exercise stress test

Another primary diagnostic tests used for testing for heart disease is the exercise stress test.  These tests are performed either by your doctor or a trained technician and will determine the amount of stress your heart can handle. 

The ECHO or echocardiogram

When heart disease is suspected, your primary care physician at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland may perform an ECHO test to determine if you have heart disease.  Your primary care physician may use this type of diagnostic testing to assess the overall function of your heart.

The physicians and staff at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can conduct many types of diagnostic testing right in their state-of-the-art clinic.  Call Germantown Primary Care Associates the next time you need to see a physician for heart diagnostic testing.