Misdiagnosis is a serious medical mistake and happens more often than patients think. There are many different medical conditions that are commonly misdiagnosed by physicians in the United States, but new studies show that misdiagnosis is common among asthma patients.
An estimated 25 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma. However, the studies found that 25 to 30 percent of these people were misdiagnosed and don't actually have asthma. Reports show that one out of 12 patients is diagnosed with asthma despite some suffering from other medical conditions.
Asthma is a serious health issue and can be life-threatening in some cases. Many patients with asthma suffer from coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing. These symptoms are signs of asthma but they can also indicate other conditions like heart failure or a different breathing disorder. Stomach acid reflux is also another condition that is misdiagnosed as asthma due to similar symptoms.
Being misdiagnosed with asthma can lead to serious health issues in patients, especially depending on the actual medical condition a patient has. Many patients diagnosed with asthma are prescribed an inhaler, which means they are using medication to treat a disease they don't have if they have been misdiagnosed.
In addition to taking unnecessary medication, patients misdiagnosed with asthma may not be getting the proper treatment and medication to treat the condition they are suffering from. Patients with heart failure who are not receiving treatment are at risk for suffering complications and even death if they go too long without a correct diagnosis.
Misdiagnosis is a serious issue, and patients should be aware of the risks of being misdiagnosed. Patients who think they have been misdiagnosed should get a second opinion and share all of their symptoms and concerns with their physician.
Source: CBS New York, "Studies: At Least A Quarter Of Asthma Cases Misdiagnosed," Dec. 13, 2013
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