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Diagnosis

Find Out What’s Causing Your Health Issue

It can be scary dealing with a health condition no one seems to be able to identify. At Methodist Health, we make use of the most reliable and efficient diagnostic tests to find out what’s going on and how we can help. Below you will find an overview of different diagnostic tests used to find conditions in the heart, lungs, stomach and head.

Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics

Diagnosing conditions in the heart and lungs are extremely important to personal health. Several tests offered at Methodist Health help our doctors check up on your cardiopulmonary system and look for troubling issues.

  • Holter Monitoring – In this relatively simple test, a Holter Monitor is connected to your chest through electrodes and kept on your person via an armband. The device monitors your heart rate for a day or two and is then removed so the doctor can review the results. While the device is attached, you should go home and continue your daily routine so the machine can get an accurate reading.
  • Stress Test EKG – The stress test measures your heart’s response to exercise. Doctors hook patients up to an electrocardiogram (EKG) and monitor the heart while you run on a treadmill. The results help to diagnose the cause of chest pains and disorientation patients my feel when exercising.
  • Pulmonary Function Test – To check on a patient’s lungs, a doctor may perform a pulmonary function test. In this test, patients breathe into a device that records their total lung capacity. The results can aid in the diagnosis of asthma, allergies, lung cancer and more.

Endoscopy

Endoscopies are used to examine the digestive tract. Methodist Health offers both upper and lower endoscopies.

  • Upper endoscopy – This method of endoscopy passes an endoscope (small, tube-shaped camera) through the patient’s throat to examine the esophagus. From here doctors can look for causes of nausea, heartburn and other stomach problems. The images produced are of a much higher quality than standard X-rays.
  • Lower endoscopy – Most people know this procedure as a colonoscopy. This time the endoscope is inserted through the rectum into the colon. Colonoscopies are most often used to screen for colon cancer, but can also check for damage that causes weight loss, anemia and stomach pains.

Neurology Diagnostics

Diagnosing a neurological disorder can be difficult. The brain and nervous system are incredibly complex, and the physical manifestations of neurological disorders can be subtle. In order to accurately diagnose these conditions, we work with experienced neurologists knowledgeable in a variety of screening procedures.

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – An MRI is a safe, radiation-free method of producing images of internal structures. It is one of the most useful methods of finding tumors, cysts and infection in the brain.
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) – An EEG is attached to the patient’s head through painless, metal electrodes. The electrodes read electrical activity and record them for doctors to review. EEGs are typically used to diagnose epilepsy and brain disorders.
  • Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV) – This is a procedure very similar to an MRI and even uses the same equipment. The key difference is that MRVs focus on the blood vessels, and in a head MRV they focus on blood flowing to and from the brain and neck. The results from this test are highly accurate, and evaluating brain blood flow can help diagnose numerous neurological disorders.
  • Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) – A CT scan is a type of X-ray that creates images of the brain, and is especially useful for finding tumors. CT scans and MRIs can diagnose similar things, the key difference is that CT scans are faster and typically cheaper, making them valuable in emergency situations.

Sleep Disorders

Not being able to sleep can be devastating to your physical and mental health. In certain cases sleep disorders can even be life-threatening, as they raise blood pressure and increase chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

The best way to diagnose a sleep disorder is to have your rest monitored by a medical professional. Methodist Health houses a Neurodiagnostic Lab, where we provide patients with spacious rooms to spend the night. From a discrete location, doctors watch the patient sleep and look for symptoms that hint at their underlying condition. For appointments with the Methodist Health Sleep Lab in Henderson, call 270-827-7474.

For more on our diagnostic exams, review our imaging and radiology services.