Five Medical Misdiagnoses That Can Affect You Without Knowing

Medical negligence is not a pleasant topic to broach and can be especially touchy here in the UK, where the NHS is rightfully treasured as a national institution of inexpressible value to citizens. It is the only health service of its kind in the world and one of the most forward-thinking provisions in modern political history; the financial freedom and peace of mind it offers people cannot be overstated.

However, like any institution, the NHS is fallible. It can make mistakes, and it has, as evidenced by the myriad unfortunate experiences documented regarding primary care failures, surgical errors, and negligent treatment. Though the NHS is beloved, it is also a victim of poor managerial practices and poor funding, which together lead to the increased possibility of negligent care.

Failure to adequately recognise a stroke in progress can lead to irreversible physical or neurological damage.

Though it’s an unpleasant subject, medical negligence is an important one to maintain awareness of. There may come a time when you fall victim to negligent practice, particularly in primary care, where diseases and conditions are often misdiagnosed. Here, we will examine five common misdiagnoses which, if not rectified in good time, could have catastrophic impacts on your health.

1. Cancer Misdiagnosis

Cancer misdiagnosis is, naturally, one of the most severe forms of medical negligence. Many forms of cancer have imperceptible early symptoms or even no direct symptoms to speak of – where GPs overlook or misinterpret these symptoms, delayed or incorrect treatment is the result.

The impacts of cancer misdiagnosis can be severe to the point of unstoppable progression, which makes understanding one’s rights through cancer misdiagnosis claims especially important. Worsened health outcomes can, at the very least, be partially mitigated with financial compensation.

2. Stroke Misdiagnosis

Strokes are more immediate medical events than cancer. Still, they can present lifelong impacts for those who suffer them – besides which, not all strokes are as easy to recognise as one might initially suspect. Indeed, many lower-profile strokes can present with subtle symptoms that are sometimes mistaken for less critical issues, such as migraines or vertigo. Failure to adequately recognise a stroke in progress can lead to irreversible physical or neurological damage.

3. Heart Attack Misdiagnosis

Heart attacks are another medical event with wide-ranging symptoms, often less obvious than the quintessential pain in the chest and left arm. Women are disproportionately misdiagnosed when it comes to heart attacks, as more subtle symptoms are frequently confused for less serious conditions (and even, insultingly, suggested to be symptoms of menopause in specific scenarios).

4. Sepsis Misdiagnosis

Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition that can present as your body attempts to fight infection, is a difficult-to-spot condition with fatal consequences. Its symptoms bear a great deal in common with flu or viral infections, and its symptoms are especially hard to spot in young children or adults with learning disabilities; being time-critical, its misdiagnosis could be fatal.

5. Meningitis Misdiagnosis

Finally, we come to meningitis—a viral infection that is commonly misdiagnosed and poses a significant short-term risk to those who contract it. Again, it poses a special risk to children and vulnerable adults, particularly where swelling on the brain presents.