10 Commonly Misdiagnosed Diseases
When you’re sick, you experience various
symptoms that affect you both physically and mentally. In common
illnesses, we usually know which symptoms to expect and what diagnosis
our doctor will provide, but in less common cases, we may find ourselves
confused and frustrated. When going to see a physician, we usually get a
clear-cut diagnosis, but when the same disease manifests differently in
some people it can make it difficult to identify, resulting in a wrong
diagnosis. At times, the wrong diagnosis can be minor, but at other
times it can be very dangerous.
Below you will find the 10 most common
misdiagnosed medical conditions, so if your symptoms persist despite
being treated, you may want to get a second opinion. It's also important
to remember that if there’s a significant change in your condition, you
should contact your doctor immediately.
1. Diabetes Distress
Misdiagnosed as: Depression
People dealing with diabetes can often experience stress as a result of
the strict diet, medical treatments, and constant need for medical
checkups. Many physicians treat this stress as depression, referring
their patients to psychological treatments or recommending that they
take antidepressants.
A recent medical study with 750 participants found that 45% of patients
who need insulin shots, developed depression-like symptoms. However,
after a period of adjustment, the symptoms subsided. This phenomenon is
known as “Diabetes Distress”, and researchers believe that the mental
changes are a result of the changes in glucose levels in patients, and
not a mental issue that requires medication.
2. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Misdiagnosed as: Attention Deficit Disorder
Nowadays, when children behave differently than is expected at school,
they are often diagnosed as suffering from ADD / ADHD. When a child
scribbles in their notebook instead of listening to the teacher, they
may do it because they find it difficult to listen to the teacher, but
it can also be a manifestation of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
An incorrect diagnosis can lead to incorrect treatment, which ends up
damaging the child in the long run. A kid with ADD will be prescribed
Ritalin to stay focused, but if they have OCD, Ritalin can exacerbate
their condition.
3. Lactose Intolerance
Misdiagnosed as: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS symptoms include stomachaches, bloating, irregular bowel movements,
and more. Physicians will usually diagnose IBS after listening to the
patient’s complaints, and after running some tests to rule out other
conditions. However, since the tests performed are meant to rule out
certain conditions, they may lead to a misdiagnosis.
One of the most common issues that is misdiagnosed is lactose
intolerance, which some doctors mistake for IBS. The reason is that part
of the diagnosis process of IBS requires the patient to avoid dairy,
but the duration is often too short and thus – non-indicative. The test
that discovers lactose intolerance is a simple blow test, which your
family physician can request.
4. Stroke
Misdiagnosed as: Migraine
Migraines are often accompanied by visual hallucinations, such as spots
or flashes of light. In other cases the hallucinations are sensual, and
manifest in tingling sensations throughout the body. These sort of
symptoms can also appear in cases of a stroke, as both conditions are
caused by a reduced supply of blood to the brain. One of the first
indicators that your condition is a stroke is based on how rapidly the
symptoms manifest - migraine symptoms appear more slowly than stroke
symptoms.
People who suffer from migraines are at a
higher risk of suffering from a stroke, as well as people who smoke,
have high blood pressure, or high levels of cholesterol in their system.
If you fear you’re experiencing a stroke, try smiling, raising your
arms, and even sticking out your tongue. If these simple actions are
difficult or impossible to perform, get medical attention as soon as
possible
5. Ovarian Cancer
Misdiagnosed as: Celiac disease or bladder infection
Ovarian cancer is commonly known as “the silent killer” because it's
asymptomatic or shows very mild symptoms in its early stages. The most
common symptoms women experience are bloating and stomachaches, leading
doctors to believe it’s celiac.
If the symptoms are accompanied by frequent urination, your doctor may
accidentally diagnose it as a bladder infection. Since both diagnoses
can be verified through simple tests, it is recommended that you insist
on taking them, and not count on your gut feeling. In addition, women
should visit an OBGYN regularly, and report any changes in how they
feel.
6. Appendicitis
Misdiagnosed as: A cold
You may think that appendicitis is an easy condition to diagnose, but it
isn’t always the case. In most cases, patients will experience sharp
pains and sensitivity in their naval area and peritoneum, while some
will experience nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and a fever, but will have a
hard time pinpointing a specific source of pain. This situation can
lead some doctors to think that it is the result of a cold or
dehydration, and thus delaying the correct diagnosis.
7. Fibromyalgia
Misdiagnosed as: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Fibromyalgia is a condition where the patient suffers from pain in their
muscles and bones, but doctors cannot locate the source of these
symptoms. Many fibromyalgia patients will suffer from pain in the
stomach region, leading them to turn to a gastroenterologist. Since IBS
is diagnosed by eliminating external factors, these patients are at risk
of being misdiagnosed as suffering from IBS.
8. Rheumatoid arthritis
Misdiagnosed as: Chronic lethargy
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects 1% of the
population. In its later stages it damages the joints, twisting and
eventually destroying them. While some patients will experience swelling
and pain in the joints, others may only exhibit lethargy and general
weakness, making a correct diagnosis much more difficult.
It's imperative to diagnose this condition as early as possible to
minimize and prevent further damage to the joints. If you’re suffering
from unexplained lethargy or weakness for a prolonged period of time,
pay attention to any sort of inflammation symptoms, and contact your
physician to get tested as soon as possible.
9. Acute Upper Airways Obstruction (UAO)
Misdiagnosed as: Asthma
Wheezing and difficulty in breathing may lead some doctors to diagnose
an acute upper airways obstruction as an asthmatic episode, especially
in children. These symptoms can also appear in cases of malformed vocal
chords, cystic fibrosis, enlarged lymph nodes, inflamed sinuses, and
more. The most common cause, however, is upper airways obstruction,
which can be a symptom of edema, or the result of trauma. If UAO is the
possible diagnosis, a simple x-ray will reveal whether or not the
airways are indeed obstructed.
10. Hypothyroidism
Misdiagnosed as: Alzheimer’s / Memory loss
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid’s functions are below
normal, leading it to produce fewer hormones that control weight gain,
energy levels, and mood. Since the relevant hormones have many vital
functions, the initial symptoms may be general weakness, lethargy, and
memory problems – common symptoms in several conditions. In addition,
hypothyroidism is more prevalent in women over the age of 60, causing
some doctors to mistake it for memory issues or Alzheimer’s.