Questions Your Doctor May Ask - and Why!
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in his assesment of the symptom: Arm symptoms.
These may include a physical examination or other medical tests.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- Can you tell me what symptoms you have in your arm which have brought you to see me today?
Why: This is a subtly cue from your health professional for you to tell them what symptoms concern you, and have resulted in your presentation. Your statements may be important in directing your Health Professional's approach to the diagnosis, investigation and management of your symptoms.
- Can you describe each of the symptoms for me to the best of your ability?
Why: Some symptoms which may cause you to present to a health professional occur frequently and may have strikingly similar characteristics despite being described by very many different people. Your description is important as it is what your health professional may primarily use to begin diagnosing and managing your condition/s. Even though you may not feel that you can describe your symptoms adequately, you should try to as much as possible.
- When did your symptoms start?
Why: The time course of what you have experienced may be important, both in terms of reaching a diagnosis and in terms of instigating initial management strategies.
- How severe are your symptoms?
Why: By asking this your health professional may be attempting to assess how your symptoms affect you, which ones are more concerning for you, and whether urgent/emergency action is required.
- Have you ever experienced anything like this before?
Why: In the past you may have had an experience/s which may have felt "the same" or similar to those that you are currently experiencing. If they are "the same" then the diagnosis that was reached in the past may be considered by your Health Professional in order to expediate your diagnosis. If they were "similar but different" then your comparison of the two experiences may be helpful in assisting your health professional to understand your current symptoms.
- Where exactly in your arm/arms are you feeling the symptoms?
Why: Location can be an important detail in the diagnosis of certain arm symptoms.
- Have you experienced any arm pain?
Why: Arm pain is a common symptom which needs to be asked about further by your health professional.
- Have you experienced any unusual or altered sensation in your arm/s (arm paraesthesia)?
Why: Sensory abnormalities can be experienced as arm symptoms by some individuals. They require further interrogation by your health professional.
- Have you experienced any problems or difficulties moving your arm?
Why: Motor deficits can be experienced in the arm and may result in your presentation to a health professional.
- Do you experience these symptoms constantly or are they transient/recurrent?
Why: The nature of your arm symptoms can be an important factor in assisting your health professional to approach your presentation.
- Have you been diagnosed with any medical conditions, have any currently active medical conditions, or been to hospital as a patient before?
Why: These are questions that may be asked in order to ascertain if you have any other relevant medical complaints. Some conditions may not appear to be related to your specific arm symptoms; however they may actually be vitally important and even be their cause.
- Do you take any medications, or do you have any allergies?
Why: Medications can cause side-effects, some of which may exhibit as arm symptoms. If in the past you have had an adverse reaction or allergy to anything then this may assist your health professional to diagnose your current condition, and to avoid those things when instigating a management strategy.
- Are you otherwise well?
Why: Even though your arm symptoms may be of the highest importance to you, you may have other conditions or symptoms which require more urgent attention.
» Next page: Types of Arm symptoms
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