Medical science has made notable progress in making life easier. It deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of health conditions. Doctors use various techniques, such as prescription options, surgery, and other treatments, to reduce pain and improve the overall quality of life for those with health issues. Treatments fall into three categories: curing illnesses, relieving symptoms, and preventing the onset of health conditions. The following are some of the most common medical treatments:

Non-surgical procedures
Non-surgical procedures can help diagnose, measure, and treat injuries or ailments. Doctors use these methods to understand the severity of the disease and determine the best course of treatment for their patients. Common diagnostic techniques include:

• Lab tests: These involve testing bodily fluids such as blood and urine tests.
• Imaging tests: X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) are non-invasive diagnostic tools that generate images indicating activities inside the body.
• Endoscopy: A procedure in which a thin tube (endoscope) is inserted into the body for a visual examination. This procedure is used for treatments like a colonoscopy (examination of the bowel), gastroscopy (stomach), cystoscopy (bladder), bronchoscopy (lung airways), and laparoscopy (abdomen).

Therapy
Therapeutic procedures improve or cure a condition and help restore function. These procedures are far less invasive than surgery. Such treatments could involve prescription options, psychotherapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and radiation therapy.

Surgical procedures
Such procedures may also be recommended to deal with an injury, disease, or some kind of abnormality. The common types of surgical procedures are:

Cataract surgery: Cataracts, which cause the eye lens to become cloudy, are common among older adults. This condition results in vision problems requiring surgery. Here, the surgeon replaces the natural eye lens with an artificial one to improve vision and prevent the weakening of the eyes with age. Cataract surgeries typically cost between $2,300 and $3,000.

C-section: Women with health issues may need a C-section to safely deliver their baby. Other women might need a C-section if complications, like high blood pressure, develop during their pregnancy or delivery. The complications could arise due to a problem with the baby’s position, placenta, or umbilical cord. A C-section costs about $13,000, usually $4,000 more than a vaginal delivery.

Joint surgery: Knee replacement surgery is common among older adults and professional athletes. Surgery may also be used to treat damaged hip, shoulder, and ankle joints. Here, the surgeon removes and replaces the damaged joint with a new, artificial joint. Joint replacement surgery typically costs between $16,500 and $33,000.

Coronary artery bypass: This surgery is recommended for treating angina (chest pain) and issues with the coronary artery (plaque buildup). Here, a vein is transplanted above and below a blocked coronary artery, creating a new path for blood to flow around the blockage. Although leg veins are mostly used for bypass transplants, arteries from the chest may also be used.

Hysterectomy: This procedure removes the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries in women. This surgery helps avoid complications such as uterine fibroids and endometrial cancer. The cost of open abdominal surgery is around $13,000. The figure is typically higher if the surgeon uses robot-assisted technology.

Additionally, alternative treatments may help relieve pain, treat the condition, and improve the quality of life. Acupuncture, relaxation techniques, and ayurveda are common examples of alternative medical treatments.