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Health conditions that are difficult to diagnose

Oklahoma residents may trust that their doctors will properly diagnose their medical conditions accurately and in a timely manner. However, a study from the University of Ottawa suggests that up to one-third of all asthma patients have been misdiagnosed. As a patient’s symptoms may be present in a variety of medical ailments, asthma is not the only condition that is commonly misdiagnosed.

Those with celiac disease may not be able to eat foods with gluten in them, and it has become trendy to choose gluten-free products. However, many patients who are diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity may not actually have one. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia may experience pain and chronic fatigue. As those symptoms aren’t necessarily specific to one condition, patients may be diagnosed with lupus or sleep apnea. In some cases, they may be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.

While diabetes has become more common as a result of America’s obesity epidemic, it isn’t always easy to diagnose. In fact, it is possible to misdiagnose a patient even when a doctor knows what symptoms to look for. Parkinson’s disease may cause tremors as well as problems standing or talking. However, it is believed that as many as half of patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s may have been misdiagnosed.

People who have been harmed as a result of a misdiagnosis from a medical professional may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. An attorney who is representing a plaintiff in this type of situation will need to demonstrate that the misdiagnosis constituted a failure to exhibit the requisite standard of care and will likely use the opinion testimony of medical experts in that regard.