It is quite common in both the medical and legal worlds to discuss the topic of failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis. This issue is quite serious because not making a proper diagnosis in a timely manner can mean the difference between a proper treatment and not being treated at all. When treatment is delayed for any reason, or an improper diagnosis is made, patients can suffer severe, life threatening complications, and in some cases may parish.
While the issue of misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose are quite well known and widely discussed, another issue is lesser known and not discussed in as much detail. This issue is known as over diagnosis and is becoming a growing concern in the area of medical malpractice. Over diagnosis occurs when certain illnesses and condition are diagnosed much more than other illnesses and conditions. The problem commonly happens in patients that exhibit symptoms that are similar in nature to those seen in other diseases and conditions. Over diagnosis can be an issue of laziness, such as when the doctor thinks he or she knows what is going on without taking the time to thoroughly investigate the problem, and it can also be due to a lack of knowledge or awareness. This is typical in behavioral conditions such as those seen in children. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common over diagnosed conditions amongst children.
Today, there are a number of conditions that are often over diagnosed by various types of medical professionals. Making such an error can cause the patient to suffer serious complications and in some cases, even die. The most common over diagnosed medical conditions include the following:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ADHD, as mentioned above, is perhaps the most over diagnosed condition, especially amongst children. Doctors often make a rushed diagnosis based upon minimal data and diagnose children with the condition. From this point, the drug Ritalin is prescribed and administered on a daily basis. Taking this medication without truly having the condition of ADHD can cause serious complications as well as posing the potential for long term damage.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS is the most commonly over diagnosed medical condition on the field of digestive disorders of a chronic nature. Doctors often assume the patient's problem is related to IBS, and more serious illnesses such as Celiac disease or Crohn's disease are overlooked and go untreated.
Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's disease is a mental disorder that, for the most part, affects the elderly. Unfortunately, physicians often assume the patient, especially when of an advanced age, must be suffering from this issue and use it as a broad spectrum diagnosis. This is dangerous because there can be a number of other medical issues that could be causing the symptoms, which could be safely treated if diagnosed properly.
Sinusitis: There have been a number of studies focused on the issue of sinusitis and many of these studies have found that the majority of patients diagnosed with this condition do not have it at all. Sinusitis is another broad spectrum diagnosis for doctors to use when patients present certain types of symptoms such as those which are similar to asthma or the common cold.
While on the surface the issue of over diagnosis may not seem terribly serious, it can have devastating side effects. Over diagnosing conditions means that a proper diagnosis has not been made, and a proper treatment plan has not been put into effect. This puts patients at risk for developing serious side effects, complications, injuries, and even dying because of not being given adequate treatment.
Once a proper diagnosis is made, patients often have to face much lengthier treatment regimens than they would have initially, some may have already suffered permanent side effects of improperly prescribed medication, and some may be too far progressed in the disease or condition to be able to be helped. This can cause a great deal of mental and emotional anguish, as well as lead to mounting medical bills, lost time from work, and a compromised quality of life.
If you or someone you know has been harmed because of a improper diagnosis due to over diagnosis, you have legal rights, and you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit to obtain compensation for your injuries. Compensation can be sought for a number of issues including past, present, and future medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and in some situations for punitive damages. Punitive damages are imposed as a way to punish those responsible for the wrong doing in an effort to deter future similar acts.
Cases that deal with medical malpractice can be quite difficult and often feature a number of very small details. These details can make or break a case, and presenting them in the proper way is critical. On top of these issues, statutes of limitations vary a great deal from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Because of the intricacies of these cases, it is not recommended that you attempt to file on your own. Consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case specifics, as well as your options. A skilled attorney knows the ins and outs of this area of the law better than anyone and will be able to efficiently manage your case for a favorable outcome.
If you are hesitant to pursue your case because of the worry of how to pay for your claim, rest assured most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that you pay nothing upfront and nothing until the time your case is settled. Knowing that your case is being handled with top notch professionalism and care, without the added stress of funding it throughout the process can provide a great deal of comfort during an already very stressful period in your life. Do not risk being a victim twice and missing out on the justice that you so rightly deserve; contact a personal injury attorney today to get started on your claim.