What Are the Most Commonly Misdiagnosed Medical Conditions?
You may not realize how common it is to be misdiagnosed when you have a medical condition in the United States. In fact, over 12 million people receive a misdiagnosis each year in America. Although some people accept their misdiagnosis and never go get a second opinion, this can be very dangerous for their health and may lead to disabilities or even death. Below, we will tell you about five commonly misdiagnosed medical conditions. The medical malpractice attorneys at The Cashman Law Firm are here to help.
1. Cancer
Doctors and medical professionals explain that cancer misdiagnosis often happens because of a lack of time with the patient. Without enough time, a proper evaluation cannot be done, and adequate information cannot be learned about the patient’s family history.
2. Heart Attack
The symptoms can vary when a heart attack occurs, so it is often difficult for doctors to diagnose these conditions. One person’s symptoms could be completely different than another person’s symptoms. For example, a man’s heart attack symptoms are different from a woman’s symptoms, and an elderly individual’s symptoms may be different than a younger individual’s symptoms. As a result, many people die each year because of a heart attack misdiagnosis.
3. Blood Clot in Lungs
The symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs are often missed by medical professionals. Shortness of breath, pain in the chest, and anxiety are sometimes thought of as panic attacks or other medical conditions that closely resemble these conditions.
4. Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is a medical disease where individuals are not able to digest gluten. This usually leads to nausea, weight loss, and stomach pains. Most doctors who hear these symptoms may think of many other types of conditions that have similar symptoms. Because of this, patients can go several years without a proper diagnosis.
5. Stroke
Stroke symptoms may be similar to individuals who have had too much alcohol to drink, have vertigo, or experience migraines. As a matter of fact, many people who have strokes had spent time going to emergency rooms before their stroke occurred with complaints of feeling dizzy or having terrible headaches. Therefore, when the stroke finally happens, it is not uncommon for a doctor to provide a misdiagnosis.
How Is a Medical Misdiagnosis Dangerous?
A medical misdiagnosis is dangerous because it could lead to the individual dying or spending the rest of their life with disabilities. If the individual survives, they most likely will have life-long challenges that will require care and assistance from their family and loved ones. Those who have experienced a medical misdiagnosis deserve compensation to help them with their new life obstacles, and an experienced medical malpractice lawyer will make sure this happens.
Contact The Cashman Law Firm Medical Malpractice Attorneys Today
At The Cashman Law Firm, our attorneys believe that our clients who have experienced a medical misdiagnosis should get compensation for the hardships they have dealt with. We will work tirelessly to make sure your rights are protected while you continue healing. Fill out our contact form at your earliest convenience, and one of our Massachusetts lawyers will contact you to set up an appointment.