Disease States/DX Specialist

What are disease states and diagnosis?

Disease states and diagnosis are medical terms that describe illnesses and symptoms.

Disease states

According to the World Health Organization, disease states include any disease, condition, disorder, or symptom. 

Diagnosis

A diagnosis identifies a disease, condition, or injury based on signs and symptoms. Chronic pain syndrome is a diagnosis given to people suffering long-term pain from an unknown cause.

Disease states and a diagnosis sometimes mean the same thing. However, while a disease state may include a condition with a verifiable cause, disease states may also be labeled as a condition based on lack of information or general medical consensus. 

A diagnosis like chronic pain syndrome is an example of a labeled disease state with no verifiable cause. Treatment for this type of disease state without a real diagnosis focuses on managing symptoms rather than stopping the pain altogether. 

How can I get the right diagnosis?

Getting the right diagnosis requires a holistic approach to your pain condition. Dr. Fanaee conducts comprehensive evaluations to uncover the root cause of your pain condition so you can get an accurate diagnosis.

He asks detailed questions about your symptoms, including when the pain started, how it’s changed over time, and which activities make your pain worse or better. Dr. Fanaee also spends time talking to you about your daily routine and stresses.

He reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam. Dr. Fanaee may run a number of diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. Testing may include:

• Bloodwork
• X-rays
• MRI
• CT scan
• Nerve conduction study (NCS)
• Electromyography (EMG)

Finding the right diagnosis takes time. Dr. Fanaee works closely with you, developing a strong patient-provider relationship that improves your overall response to care. 

He focuses on your whole health, not your pain. 

What are treatments for disease states and diagnosis?

Dr. Fanaee provides many advanced pain management treatments to help you get long-term relief from your condition. Once he determines your diagnosis, treatment focuses on that. In cases where the cause remains unknown, he provides treatment that works best for you.

Innovative pain treatments he offers include:

• Epidurals
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Intracept® Procedure
• Spinal cord stimulator

Most importantly, Dr. Fanaee never gives up on you. He understands how pain can consume your life and works with you until you find the right treatment or combination of treatments that give you your life back.