Imagine having a life-threatening condition for seven years without even realizing it. This may seem impossible, yet it is something that is happening to many people around the world.
Misdiagnosis and undiagnosis of conditions can result in the worsening of a person’s overall health situation and, in some cases, even death.
How does a life-threatening condition go undiagnosed for years?
There is an array of reasons why a life-threatening condition can go undiagnosed for years. Sometimes an individual’s symptoms may be feeling mild until an underlying condition becomes more severe.
This lack of severity can lead to an otherwise healthy individual disregarding the symptoms. On the other hand, individuals’ symptoms may appear more severe, but they are brushed off as nothing more than a common cold or flu.
Underdiagnosis is another contributing factor. Underdiagnosis is the failure to recognize a condition that is highly probable. Due to the lack of recognition, this misdiagnosis can result in longterm, severe health-related consequences.
Additionally, doctors may misattribute an individual’s symptoms with more common disorders, leading them to neglect testing, examination, or diagnosis of the underlying condition.
A contributing factor is the limited availability of advanced medical facilities or expertise in certain areas.
In countries and regions with a shortage of medical personnel, diseases are likely to be under-diagnosed, misdiagnosed and consequently untreated. In addition, the healthcare system’s inability to meet medical costs and economic barriers results in people neglecting their medical concerns.
Conditions that go undiagnosed
Some of the common conditions that go undiagnosed for years include autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and Hashimoto’s disease.
take Hashimoto’s disease, for instance, is an autoimmune condition where the thyroid gland is attacked, making it hard for an individual’s body to produce hormones.
The signs and symptoms of this condition start gradually, making it hard to pinpoint them. Symptoms include exhaustion, constipation, pain, and stiffness. These symptoms are also common in other health conditions, resulting in Hashimoto’s disease being undiagnosed for years in many cases.
Endometriosis is another example. It is a chronic condition that affects women’s reproductive organs. Symptoms include painful periods, pelvic pain, and sometimes infertility.
Despite having a considerable impact on a woman’s quality of life, endometriosis often goes undiagnosed for years, with about 40% of individuals diagnosed after six years of symptoms.
Effects of undiagnosed conditions
Undiagnosed conditions can have devastating effects on individuals and their families. People with undiagnosed conditions may face a wide range of problems, including increased pain, a longer, more severe disease course, and reduced quality of life.
Early diagnosis of conditions is essential in preventing the worst possible outcome. Without a proper understanding of the condition and treatment, it can lead to physical, emotional, and financial stress.
What can be done about it?
There are numerous steps that individuals and the healthcare system can take to prevent missed diagnoses and improve individuals’ health outcomes.
Individuals must stay vigilant when displaying event the slightest symptoms. Reading about and educating yourself on different conditions and symptoms in your free time can help those who are at risk of being diagnosed late.
In the case of chronic diseases, it’s essential to understand the symptoms and regularly have checkups with a specialist.
Doctors, on the other hand, must listen carefully to their patients’ symptoms and conduct a comprehensive examination where necessary.
Since under-diagnosis is a problem, one suggestion could be promoting continuing education for different specialties to inform them of the latest medical developments and diagnostic techniques. Additionally, the medical profession must undertake its best practices to standardize diagnostic procedures across regions.
The Bottom Line
Identifying and diagnosing a life-threatening condition early is crucial to guarantee the best possible outcome for the patient. In addition, early diagnosis plays a pivotal role in the prevention of long-term, chronic diseases.
Undiagnosed conditions are more pervasive than you may think and can be a result of underlying causes such as undetected or under-diagnosed conditions.
To protect yourself from the consequences of undiagnosed conditions, it is essential to prioritize routine medical checkups and to stay informed about the various symptoms that could indicate potentially life-threatening health issues.
