5 Medical Conditions Commonly Misdiagnosed by Doctors

 Posted on September 30, 2022 in Medical Malpractice

Patients expect to receive the best possible care from their doctors, but in some cases, they may suffer serious harm because they are not provided the proper treatment. This often occurs due to misdiagnosis, which involves a failure to properly diagnose a dangerous medical condition or an incorrect diagnosis that does not actually identify the issues affecting a person. In some cases, misdiagnosis can lead to delays in treatment, allowing the condition to worsen, or an incorrect diagnosis, which can result in expensive and unnecessary treatments. In the most serious cases, a misdiagnosis can lead to a person's wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been a victim of misdiagnosis, an experienced attorney can help determine whether you can pursue compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Diseases and Conditions That May Lead to Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnoses are alarmingly common in the United States, affecting around 12 million patients each year. More than one-fourth of cases involving misdiagnosis result in issues that threaten the lives of patients or lead to life-changing consequences such as permanent disabilities. Misdiagnoses can occur because of diagnostic errors made by technicians, failure by doctors to order follow-up tests when necessary, misinterpretation of test results, or a variety of other reasons.

Some of the conditions that most commonly result in misdiagnosis include:

• Cancer - The symptoms of cancer are sometimes attributed to other, less serious conditions, and doctors may fail to properly diagnose serious forms of cancer, especially in situations where patients do not have a family history of the disease or when other risk factors for cancer are not present. Lung cancer, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer are some of the most commonly misdiagnosed forms of cancer. A failure to diagnose cancer correctly can affect a patient's ability to receive treatment in time to stop the growth of tumors, or allow the cancer to progress beyond the point where life-saving treatment would be possible.

• Strokes - Symptoms of a stroke, such as the sudden onset of paralysis or numbness in the face or limbs, may be misdiagnosed as a migraine headache or another less dangerous condition. A delay in diagnosis can prevent a patient from receiving treatment that would minimize the damage caused by a stroke.

• Heart attacks - Patients who experience heart attacks may receive a misdiagnosis of indigestion or other gastrointestinal problems. Women are more likely to experience misdiagnosis after a heart attack than men. An improper diagnosis can lead to serious damage to the heart muscles, and the injuries experienced by a patient may even be fatal.

• Infections/sepsis - Doctors may fail to recognize the symptoms of serious infections. Patients with sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by infection, often experience misdiagnosis because the symptoms may be attributed to other conditions such as the flu. If it is not treated promptly, sepsis can cause organ failure and death.

• Autoimmune disorders - Conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus are often misdiagnosed because they mimic the symptoms of other conditions. For example, MS may be misdiagnosed as a viral infection, while lupus may be misdiagnosed as arthritis. A delay in diagnosis can allow these conditions to progress, resulting in serious damage to the patient's health.

Contact Our Decatur Misdiagnosis Injury Lawyers

When patients suffer harm due to misdiagnosis, they may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice claim. If you or someone you love has been affected by misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, an experienced Champaign medical malpractice attorney at Kanoski Bresney can help you understand your legal rights and options. To learn how we can help you pursue compensation for injuries caused by medical negligence, contact us today by calling 888-826-8682 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://villageec.com/blog/most-commonly-misdiagnosed-diseases 

https://www.docpanel.com/blog/post/how-common-misdiagnosis-infographic