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Misdiagnosed Conditions
There are five conditions that lead to the most number of lawsuits. You should be aware about the kind of mistakes that your doctor can make. Sometimes, your symptoms may confuse him and lead him on the wrong path.
- Heart Attack: There are various causes of chest pain besides heart attack. These are:
Heartburn: Your doctor might think that you suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
- Angina: It usually causes chest pain which radiates to the left arm.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Your doctor would want you to have an ECG if he suspects heart attack. He may also order some cardiac enzyme tests like CPK-MB.
Breast Cancer: The possible diagnoses your doctor might think of are:
- Breast changes due to aging, menstrual cycle or pregnancy
- Breast abscess
- Fibroadenoma: It is a benign condition of the breast.
The best way to rule out breast cancer is to get a mammogram.
- Appendicitis: It may be confused with:
Gastroenteritis
- Perforated ulcer
- Torsion testis
- Ovarian pathology
An abdominal ultrasound may be useful in aiding diagnosis.
Lung Cancer: It may be confused with Tuberculosis or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Your doctor should order chest x-rays for you. Other tests like sputum examination may also be necessary.
Colon Cancer: It may be confused with:
- Colon Polyp
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
If your doctor orders a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, do not hesitate in getting it done. It could help in early diagnosis. This will save your life.
