Common Medical Conditions Doctors Misdiagnose

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How Doctors Can Misdiagnose Medical Conditions in Tampa Bay, FL

No doctor intentionally gives a patient the wrong diagnosis, but Clearwater home care providers understand that accidents do occasionally happen. Doctors commonly misdiagnose the following medical conditions because their symptoms are not very distinctive.

Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism, which is an artery blockage in the lungs, is often misdiagnosed as a heart attack or respiratory infection because it causes sharp chest pains and trouble breathing.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease occurs when a person cannot properly digest gluten. This gluten intolerance can manifest at any age, but seniors are often misdiagnosed with inflammatory bowel disorder because their doctors do not realize gluten sensitivity has developed.

Cancer

The Journal of Clinical Oncology has found that up to 28 percent of all cancers are originally misdiagnosed. In the early stages of cancer, a patient might just feel a little tired or achy, and so it is not always noticeable. 

Stroke

Strokes may be misdiagnosed as intoxication, dementia or migraines because some doctors may not realize a patient is having a stroke unless his or her face and arms start to droop.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is frequently misdiagnosed because it can set in years after a person is initially infected. Seniors who do not even remember being bit by a tick may not think to mention it to their doctors when they start experiencing muscle pain and fevers.

Heart Attacks

Heart attacks are mostly misdiagnosed because there is not a lot of awareness about how their symptoms differ among genders. Women are less likely to feel any searing chest pain, and they often only experience shortness of breath, nausea, and pain in the back, neck, or arms.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a little understood condition that results in painful joints and muscles. This pain can cause further problems with insomnia and anxiety. Seniors are often misdiagnosed with arthritis because the symptoms can seem quite similar at first.

Turn to Home Care Assistance of Tampa Bay, FL, should your loved one be diagnosed with a chronic medical condition. Our reliable live-in and hourly caregivers in Clearwater offer mobility assistance and medication reminders to help your loved one carry out daily activities without compromising his or her independence. Meet with a trusted Care Manager today by calling (727) 330-7862 to set up a free consultation.

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