Misdiagnosis is a leading cause of medical malpractice claims in Texas and throughout the nation. In a recent study, researchers found that an estimated 795,000 people become permanently disabled or die every year in the U.S. because of misdiagnosis of dangerous diseases.
What Are Some Commonly Misdiagnosed Health Conditions?
Certain medical conditions with complex symptoms or mimic other illnesses may be more prone to misdiagnosis. Commonly misdiagnosed conditions include the following:
- Heart attack: Symptoms of a heart attack may be mistaken for less serious conditions, such as acid reflux, anxiety, or stress. Failure to promptly diagnose a heart attack can result in severe, irreversible damage or death.
- Stroke: Symptoms of stroke may be mistaken for other non-life-threatening conditions, such as vertigo or migraine. This can delay the urgent care needed to minimize stroke damage and save lives.
- Cancer: When cancer is misdiagnosed, or diagnosis is delayed, it can mean the difference between life and death. Early detection is critical in many types of cancer, and misdiagnosis can mean loss of valuable time.
- Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the lungs can have fatal consequences if not treated immediately. Pulmonary embolism may be misdiagnosed as pneumonia, asthma, or a panic attack.
- Infections: Serious infections, such as meningitis, Lyme disease, or sepsis, may be mistaken for viral infections or other less severe conditions, delaying critical treatment.
- Celiac disease: In this serious autoimmune disease, ingesting gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. This condition can generally be managed with dietary changes, but if left undiagnosed, it can lead to complications, such as anemia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and gastrointestinal disorders. Celiac disease is frequently misdiagnosed as other medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Lyme disease, chronic migraines, and mental health disorders.
