Investigations are part of the medical examination carried out by doctors to diagnose certain diseases. This examination is generally carried out after a physical examination and a history of complaints or disease history in the patient.
Supportive examination or diagnostic examination is an examination carried out by a doctor to determine a patient's diagnosis of disease and its severity.
Investigations are usually carried out when the patient consults a doctor because of certain complaints or symptoms, or when the patient undergoes routine health checks (medical check-up).
In addition to diagnosing the disease, supporting examinations are also carried out to determine the appropriate treatment steps and monitor the success of therapy in patients.
Various Types of Investigations or Diagnostics
There are many types of investigations that a doctor can perform. However, there are several types of investigations that are often performed, including:
1. Blood test
Blood tests are the most common type of investigation performed. This examination is done by taking a sample of the patient's blood for later analysis in the laboratory.
Blood tests are usually done to detect certain diseases or medical conditions, such as anemia and infections. Through this investigation, the doctor can monitor several blood components and organ functions, including:
- Blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets or platelets
- Blood plasma
- Blood chemicals, such as blood sugar or glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, iron, and electrolytes
- Blood gas analysis
- Functions of certain organs, such as the kidneys, liver, pancreas, bile, and thyroid gland
- tumor marker
Before doing a blood test, first ask your doctor about what preparations should be made, such as whether it is necessary to fast or stop certain medications before taking a blood sample.
2. Urine examination
Urine examination is a type of supporting examination that is often carried out to determine health conditions, kidney function, and whether a person is taking certain drugs. In addition, urine tests are also usually performed on pregnant women to confirm pregnancy or to detect preeclampsia.
Urine testing can be done as part of medicalcheck-up routinely or when a doctor suspects certain diseases, such as kidney disease, urinary tract infection, or kidney stones.
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
This investigation is often used to monitor the work of the heart, especially the rhythm of the heartbeat and the electrical flow of the heart. An EKG can also be done to detect heart abnormalities, such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, heart swelling, abnormalities in heart valves, and coronary heart disease.
The ECG examination can be done in a doctor's office, hospital emergency room, or in a patient care room, such as in the ICU or in an inpatient ward.
When undergoing an EKG examination, the patient will be asked to lie down and remove the clothes and jewelry he is wearing, then the doctor will place electrodes on the patient's chest, arms, and legs.
During the examination, the patient is advised not to move or talk much because it can interfere with the results of the examination.
4. X-ray
X-ray is a type of investigation that uses X-ray radiation or X-rays to describe the condition of various organs and tissues of the body. This test is usually done to detect:
- Bone and joint abnormalities, including fractures, arthritis, and joint displacement (dislocations)
- Dental abnormalities
- Obstruction of the airway or digestive tract
- Urinary stones
- Infections, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and appendicitis
In certain cases, the doctor may give the patient a contrast agent by injection or by mouth (taken by mouth), so that the X-ray results are clearer.
However, this contrast agent can sometimes cause some side effects, such as allergic reactions, dizziness, nausea, bitter tongue, and kidney problems.
5. Ultrasound (USG)
Ultrasound is an examination that uses sound waves to produce images of organs and tissues in the body.
This investigation is often done to detect abnormalities in internal organs, such as tumors, stones, or infections in the kidneys, pancreas, liver, and bile.
Not only that, ultrasound is also commonly performed as part of a prenatal check-up to monitor the condition of the fetus and to guide doctors when performing a biopsy.
Before the ultrasound examination is carried out, the doctor may ask the patient to fast and drink water and hold urine for a while. The patient will then be allowed to urinate and eat again after the ultrasound examination is complete.
6. Computed tomography scan (CT Scan)
A CT scan is a supporting examination that uses X-rays with a special machine to create images of tissues and organs in the body.
The image produced by a CT scan will look clearer than a regular X-ray. A CT scan usually lasts about 20–60 minutes.
To produce better image quality or be more accurate in detecting certain abnormalities, such as tumors or cancer, doctors may use a contrast agent when performing a CT scan.
7. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
MRI at a glance is similar to a CT scan, but this investigation does not use X-rays or radiation, but magnetic waves and high-power radio waves to describe the condition of organs and tissues in the body. The MRI procedure usually lasts 15–90 minutes.
An MRI scan can be done to examine almost any part of the body, including the brain and nervous system, bones and joints, breasts, heart and blood vessels, as well as other internal organs, such as the liver, uterus, and prostate gland.
Just like CT scans and X-rays, doctors will also sometimes use contrast agents to improve the quality of the images produced on an MRI examination.
8. Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy is a radiological examination method that utilizes X-rays to produce a series of video-like images. This investigation is generally combined with a contrast agent, so that the resulting image is clearer.
Fluoroscopy is usually used to detect certain abnormalities in the body, such as damage or disorders of the bones, heart, blood vessels, and digestive system. Fluoroscopy can also be done to assist the doctor when performing cardiac catheterization or insertion of a heart ring.
9. Endoscope
Endoscopy aims to examine the internal organs of the body with an endoscope, which is a small, elastic tube-shaped instrument equipped with a camera at the end. This tool is connected to a monitor or TV screen, so the doctor can see the condition of the organs in the body.
Endoscopic examination is usually done to monitor the condition of the gastrointestinal tract and diagnose certain diseases, such as gastritis or inflammation of the stomach, stomach ulcers, GERD, difficulty swallowing, gastrointestinal bleeding, and gastric cancer.
In addition to the several types of supporting examinations above, there are several other types of supporting examinations that doctors often perform, such as:
- Echocardiography
- Biopsy
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Stool examination
- Examination of body fluids, such as brain fluid, joint fluid, and pleural fluid
- Genetic testing
There are many types of supporting examinations with their respective functions, advantages, and disadvantages. An investigation may be suitable for detecting certain types of disease, but not effective for detecting other types of disease. In fact, sometimes it takes several types of investigations to diagnose a disease.
Usually, the doctor will suggest supporting examinations to confirm the diagnosis of the disease after conducting a history (question and answer) and physical examination of the patient. The type of investigation carried out will be adjusted to the disease suspected by the doctor and the general condition of the patient.