How do doctors know what’s wrong?

The White Knights: Doctors

Many will agree with the saying ‘ the doctor knows best ‘. While maintaining good health at all times is a boon, however, we must never forget the unseen and tireless endeavours the doctor takes to ensure that there is good health and well being all over. Hence is it hailed as one of the highest serviceable jobs and is universally regarded as one of the noblest professions.

A doctor always has the correct key to your sickness and is constantly trying their very best to ensure that they defeat the illness and recover you back at the earliest. So, it is always advisable that rather than using your own mind in figuring out the cure to the illness, go and speak to a doctor who knows exactly what’s wrong and can heal people quickly.

Doctors are trained professionals in the fields of diagnosis and medicines, and they know the best possible healing method. What may seem normal to the untrained eye may be a symptom of something harmful and so, it is important to consult a professional in order to determine the reason behind any physical or mental malady.

Contents

Primary Responsibilities of Doctors

The job of a doctor is divided into many successive steps. The first and most crucial step is to identify or ‘diagnose’ the reason which is making the patient ill. Therefore once the cause is determined, they proceed further with ‘consultation’ with the patient; wherein the illness is explained to them correctly and in simple language. The last step would be ‘medication’ or ‘treatment’.

According to the type of disease and its degree of spread, the doctors with mutual agreement with the patient decide upon whether it can be cured by prescribed medicines, or if there is any specific treatment the patient needs to undergo.

How do Doctors know what’s wrong?

When the patient feels sick, the doctor primarily asks them some questions, which will help them analyse the symptoms of the illness. Thereafter, they will conduct some tests to figure out specifically what is wrong and then prescribe treatment or medicines accordingly.

Some of the commonly done tests include Blood Tests, Swab Tests, Temperature Readings, and Fluid Testing, Blood Pressure, etc.

Blood Tests

In some cases, the doctors may ask to test your blood samples. In such a procedure, a blood sample is taken from the vein of your arm using a syringe fitted with a needle. The blood drawn hence is taken away in a protected manner to a laboratory, where it is tested to check for several parameters. According to the results which are compared to a standard, analysis is done by the doctor to determine whether something is wrong with the patient.

Swab Test

Another method of detection is the Swab Test. In this method, a medicated stick is inserted in your throat or simply placed on your tongue to take out saliva. Then, the stick is again taken away for testing to check for any presence of viruses or bacteria.

Temperature Readings

In some specific cases, when your body temperature increases beyond the normal temperature of 37°C (98.6°F), it may be a sign that your body is fighting an illness. At these times, the doctor may take your correct temperature readings by placing a thermometer in your mouth or armpit.

Fluid Testing

In some very particular instances, the doctors may also test fluid samples from your body apart from blood, i.e. by testing your urine and faeces. By testing these samples, doctors become aware of any imbalance in your body, or any infection that might be there.

Measuring Blood Pressure

You must have often heard people especially older ones having to face health issues of high blood pressure or even low blood pressure. So, as a part of their usual treatment routine, doctors check your blood pressure using a blood pressure measuring machine. It helps them understand how well the blood flows inside your body.

Fun Facts

There are approximately 15 million and more doctors across the world!
The first instance of the presence of doctors and use of medication is dated back to 18th Century BC Mesopotamia!

Objective Quiz

Here are some questions you’d like to answer to test your knowledge.

Which of the following tests includes sample collected from your saliva?

Blood Test
Urine Test
Swab Test

What is the average human body temperature(in Celsius)?

34° C
35° C
36° C
37° C

Checking your blood pressure indicates:

The flow of the body all throughout the body
Chances of a possible heart attack
Presence of virus and bacteria
None of the above

The temperature of the body is measured using:

Thermometer
Weighing Scale
Stethoscope
X-Ray

It is always advisable to visit a doctor when in illness, rather than using self-medication:

Yes
No
Maybe

True Or False

Lung functioning is measured with a stethoscope. (True/False)
Needles are used to draw blood for blood test. (True/False)
Thermometer readings of body temperature are incorrect. (True/False)
Consultation of doctor with patients is beneficial. (True/False)
Fluid testing is an obsolete way of testing for bacteria and viruses in the body. (True/False)

How do doctors know what’s wrong?

Primary Responsibilities of Doctors