What Are the Most Commonly Misdiagnosed Medical Issues?

 Posted on November 18,2020 in Medical Malpractice

There are a variety of ways that doctors or other medical professionals can make mistakes that affect the health and well-being of their patients. Misdiagnosis is one of the most prevalent forms of medical malpractice, and it can cause patients to suffer serious harm. If a person’s condition is not properly diagnosed, they may not receive the necessary treatment in time to prevent serious risks to their health, or they may receive the wrong type of treatment, which can lead to additional health complications. 

Conditions That Can Lead to Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis can occur for a variety of reasons. Doctors may fail to properly consider a patient’s medical history, they may not spend enough time examining a patient, or they may not give enough weight to the symptoms reported by the patient. In other cases, diagnostic errors, including mistakes at medical labs, failure to order the proper tests, or failure to properly review test results, can lead to an incorrect diagnosis.

Some of the illnesses and ailments that are most commonly misdiagnosed include:

• Cancer - Doctors may fail to recognize the signs of breast cancer, skin cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, or brain cancer, and delays in treating these conditions can cause the disease to spread and threaten a patient’s life.
• Stroke - Blood clots or other issues that interrupt the flow of oxygen to the brain can lead to permanent brain damage. In some cases, the symptoms of a stroke are misinterpreted as migraines, vertigo, epileptic seizures, or alcohol intoxication.
• Heart attack - The symptoms of a cardiac event are not always easily recognizable, and in addition to chest pain, they may include nausea, dizziness, or pain in the arms or stomach. Heart attacks are often misdiagnosed in women, since they may not experience the symptoms that are most commonly associated with this condition.
• Lupus - The symptoms of this inflammatory disease, which may include fatigue, joint pain, and rashes, are often misinterpreted, leading to an incorrect diagnosis of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Multiple sclerosis - This disease affects the central nervous system, and its symptoms include problems with balance and coordination, muscle spasms, and cognitive impairment. It may be mistaken for migraines, infections, or Alzheimer’s disease.
• Depression - Because doctors may not ask patients about their mood during an examination, they may fail to diagnose this form of mental illness, or they may attribute symptoms such as headaches or fatigue to other conditions. Failure to diagnose and treat depression can cause a person to experience loss of enjoyment of life, and it may put them at risk of suicide.

Contact Our Rolling Meadows Misdiagnosis Lawyers

If a doctor did not correctly diagnose your disease or medical condition, you may be able to pursue financial compensation for the damages you have suffered. The Palatine medical malpractice attorneys at Newland & Newland, LLP can help you understand your legal options, and we will fight to make sure the medical provider who misdiagnosed you is held responsible for your injuries. Contact our office at 847-797-8000 to set up a free consultation today.

Sources:

https://www.mdlinx.com/article/most-commonly-misdiagnosed-medical-conditions/lfc-4136

https://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/commonly-misdiagnosed-conditions/