How Might Pain be Misdiagnosed?
Chronic pain is one of the most frequent reasons why people take time off from work or school; however, it can also be misdiagnosed. When someone presents to the doctor in pain, he or she is going to try to figure out why. Unfortunately, a missed diagnosis can also lead to further discomfort and serious medical complications. Some of these complications can include unnecessary medications, depression, anxiety, and even surgical procedures. Therefore, it is important for patients to understand what might cause a physician to misdiagnosis the cause of their pain. Then, patients will be in a position to help their doctor, leading to a faster diagnosis and an improved prognosis.
Not Disclosing Other Symptoms
One of the most common locations in which people might suffer discomfort is in their back. Specifically, lower back pain is a common complaint when someone visits the doctor and can cause someone to miss work or school. Some of the most common reasons why someone might have pain in their back include poor posture, muscle strains, and traumatic accidents.
On the other hand, some patients might not disclose other symptoms they are feeling because they think they aren’t important. It is normal for patients not want to “bother” the doctor with issues they feel are unimportant; however, patients should also disclose all of their symptoms. If they have a question about something, they should tell their doctor. Physicians use a patient’s symptoms as a roadmap to a diagnosis. Some of the common symptoms that patients might conceal include fevers, chills, changes in bathroom habits, and pain in other locations in their bodies. These can be signs of kidney infections, meningitis, and spinal cord issues. Disclosing every symptom is essential for preventing pain from being misdiagnosed.
Pain That Waxes and Wanes
It is vital for patients to think about the timing of their pain. While millions of people suffer from pain, not everyone is feeling discomfort for the same reason. Back pain that changes with position might be a sign of vertebral stenosis or a herniated disc. Pain that is worse in the morning and gets better during the course of the day might be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. On the other hand, pain that gets worse at night and wakes someone from sleep might be a sign of cancer. Clearly, these are very different diseases that have different courses of treatment. Therefore, patients should think about their symptoms carefully and help the doctor avoid a misdiagnosis.
Pelvic Pain can be Misdiagnosed
Unfortunately, pelvic pain can also be misdiagnosed. Too often, people assume pain in this area is a sign of a pulled muscle or even sciatica. On the other hand, many women develop pelvic pain following a traumatic accident. Pain in this area can be a sign of something far more serious. Pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to constipation, frequent urination, and other issues. While some of these symptoms might be embarrassing, in this situation, women need to disclose all of these symptoms to their doctor. This will help the physician make the proper diagnosis and correct issues with their pelvic muscles.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. When pain is misdiagnosed, this can lead to a number of different complications. If you have been suffering from daily discomfort or chronic pain due to the negligence of another person or entity, please call me at (800) 404-5400 and/or (916) 921-6400 to receive free, friendly legal guidance and advice.
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