Doctors Express

These "everyday" health problems—such as colds, earaches, and sore throats—are not serious enough to be life-threatening or to cause a permanent change in your health.

Injuries considered "minor" are not life-threatening or likely to cause a disability—for example, muscle strains and sprains, cuts and lacerations, and minor burns.

Lab tests examine samples of your blood, urine, and/or body tissues to check your health. Normal findings provide reassurance; abnormal findings help detect health problems.

"Physicals" (physical exams) and health screening tests are designed and performed to detect health problems as early as possible—sometimes, before you have symptoms.

The goal of preventive medicine is helping to ensure that diseases and injuries do not happen. This contrasts with other areas of medicine, which focus on treating and curing them.

These diagnostic tests use sophisticated medical technology to evaluate your health problem and provide information for diagnosing it.