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BEHALF OF THE INJURED PATIENT

Four diseases doctors commonly misdiagnose

Everyone in Central Iowa and across the nation knows that doctors are not perfect. In fact, it has been estimated that around 20 percent of patients are misdiagnosed. For individuals to protect themselves, it is good to be aware of some of the common diseases that medical professionals misdiagnose.

It has been estimated that over 40 percent of the time, doctors misdiagnose some forms of cancer. The reason why this is so common is that the symptoms can be difficult to pin down and could indicate other diseases. It is always wise to get a second opinion, especially when the doctor giving the first diagnosis is not a cancer specialist.

Another tricky disease to pin down is depression. It can manifest itself in a physical way, perhaps causing body aches, headaches, muscle pain, and fatigue. If a doctor focuses on the physical symptoms, the depression may be misdiagnosed.

Fibromyalgia is a disease that is easy for doctors to overlook, especially because it has similar symptoms to diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Joint pain, aching muscles, mood issues, and fatigue are all characteristics of the disease, and a failure to diagnose the symptoms properly is common.

A simple blood test is all it takes for doctors to rule out celiac disease, but this is another big one that gets misdiagnosed or goes undiagnosed. This is an autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack the intestines when gluten is consumed.

While most doctors work hard to provide the best care and right diagnosis for their patients, there are some who are neglectful. An individual who feels that their doctor was neglectful and is interested in pursuing a medical malpractice case may wish to discuss their case with an attorney. The attorney may be able to provide legal advice, draw up the necessary paperwork, and even represent their client in court.