Many women face challenges in receiving accurate diagnoses for certain health conditions, often leading to prolonged suffering and complications. In many cases, missed, delayed or misdiagnosis are forms of medical malpractice.
Without a correct diagnosis, female patients can go without necessary treatment or receive unnecessary, potentially dangerous medical treatments. Here are commonly misdiagnosed conditions all women should know about.
Coronary heart disease (CHD)
Also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), this is the most common type of heart disease in this country. It is frequently misdiagnosed in part because of its atypical symptoms in women, such as fatigue, nausea and back pain. Failing to diagnose this condition can lead to fatal outcomes
Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, are more prevalent in women but often misdiagnosed. Their wide range of symptoms can mimic other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, often resulting in delayed treatment and increased disease progression.
Pelvic floor disorders
These disorders, including urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, are often misdiagnosed or attributed to a urinary tract infection or irritable bowel syndrome. The unfortunate outcome for impacted women is prolonged discomfort and substantially reduced quality of life.
Thyroid disorders
Thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, are common in women. However, they are often misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions like depression, anxiety or even ordinary menopause.
It’s always wise to get a second opinion and diagnosis, especially if the prescribed treatments do not improve your condition. If it turns out your condition was not diagnosed properly, causing you harm or injury or a loved one died because of a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a serious condition in time to save them, it’s wise to get legal guidance.