5 Most Misdiagnosed Diseases
One of the reasons why so many people have filed a misdiagnosis lawsuit in New York and across the country is because early symptoms are often characteristic of dozens of possible causes. For example, your chest pain could indicate a problem with your heart, your lungs, your stomach, or even your emotional health.
If your doctor fails to order the necessary tests, you could be at risk of receiving the wrong type of treatment or receiving no treatment at all. Some of the most commonly misdiagnosed diseases and medical conditions are those that can have deadly consequences, such as stroke and heart attack.
Stroke
Stroke is a life-threatening event that can cause permanent and disabling complications for survivors. Receiving medical treatment as soon as possible after suffering a stroke is critical. Unfortunately, many younger patients who complain of symptoms of stroke are misdiagnosed as having migraines or vertigo. This is because stroke most often occurs in older patients who are of poor general health. If you experience sudden and severe headaches, dizziness, slurred speech, and blurred vision that is accompanied by numbness on one side of your body, insist on being evaluated for a possible stroke.
Lupus
The symptoms of lupus, which is a chronic inflammatory disease, are also characteristic of many other ailments. Furthermore, the symptoms of lupus can vary widely from one person to the next in their type, severity, and onset. Some of the most common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Lupus is often misdiagnosed because doctors may mistake it for chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. The joint pain may be mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis, another autoimmune disease. Unfortunately, a misdiagnosis can have severe consequences. If left untreated, it may increase your risk of cancer and miscarriage.
Celiac disease
Celiac disease occurs when the body cannot digest gluten, a type of protein. It’s characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal pain, and it can lead to permanent damage. Since it appears similar to Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and irritable bowel syndrome, many doctors misdiagnose it. Plus, about 10 percent of patients with celiac disease actually test negative for it in blood tests.
Heart attack
When most people think of a heart attack, they probably have a mental image of a man clutching his chest as he falls to the ground. Although heart attacks can indeed cause crushing pressure in the chest, in actuality, many people experience symptoms that are quite different. Women often have no chest pain at all. Instead, they may only experience shortness of breath, sweating, fatigue, and a feeling of impending doom. All patients who present with possible heart attack symptoms should immediately receive an EKG, even if they appear to be in good overall health. Failure of an ER team to perform an EKG may form the basis of a medical misdiagnosis lawsuit.
Cancer
A Harvard study found that cancer was the most misdiagnosed illness of all, particularly breast and colorectal cancer. The researchers concluded that the primary reason for a cancer misdiagnosis was the failure of the doctors to adhere to screening guidelines.
Pursuing a misdiagnosis lawsuit in New York
If you or a loved one has received a cancer misdiagnosis in NY – or been the victim of any other type of medical error – you do have legal recourse. The Sanders Firm will review your case for free and determine if the evidence points to medical negligence. We can file a lawsuit on your behalf and help you obtain compensation, which can help recoup losses for medical expenses and ongoing care needs. In the event that a loved one has passed away because of a medical mistake, we will pursue justice on your behalf. Compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit can help you pay final expenses.
Contact us at 1.800.FAIR.PLAY to schedule your consultation. Residents of Queens, Manhattan, Long Island, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx will never be charged any legal fees unless we win or settle your case. Resources
- Redbook, 4 Diseases Doctors Get Wrong, http://www.redbookmag.com/health-wellness/advice/common-misdiagnoses-diseases
- AARP, 7 Commonly Misdiagnosed Illnesses, http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-06-2011/commonly-misdiagnosed-illnesses.html
- CNNHealth.com, Five commonly misdiagnosed diseases, http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/09/26/ep.misdiagnosed.diseases/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
