Health Conditions That Are Commonly Misdiagnosed

Pick any episode of any hospital drama (current or syndicated), and there's an excellent chance the plotline will involve a misdiagnosis. No, really, think about it. A common scenario on these shows is a patient diagnosed incorrectly and given the wrong treatment, creating drama as their condition worsens. And while this can make for must see TV, in real life, misdiagnoses could be dangerous.

Around 12 million people in the United States are impacted by being misdiagnosed. In fact, every year anywhere from 40,000 to 80,000 individuals don't survive their misdiagnosis (via the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine). And roughly six million of those individuals might experience harm because they received the wrong diagnosis, according to BMJ Quality & Safety. Frightening statistics to be sure, but you're not helpless.

Yes, it takes a great deal of education and training to be a doctor. And, yes, Googling symptoms and self-diagnosing yourself and others can be dangerous. But educating yourself about the possible causes behind your symptoms means you'll have an easier time asking questions at medical appointments and understanding what your healthcare professional tells you about your condition. Keep in mind that the human body is complex, and the following are only a few of the possible misdiagnoses that can occur.

Do you have difficulty focusing? Do you often forget things and are constantly disorganized? And what about your mood — are you often irritable? Well, according to Bogrow & Associates, you might have sleep apnea ... or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Okay, let's take this one step at a time. Sleep apnea is when something blocks your breathing while you're asleep, which can interfere with you getting a good night's rest (via Bogrow & Associates). ADHD is a developmental disorder. And, yes, ADHD can involve similar symptoms as sleep apnea, like easily becoming distracted and having a shortened attention span — but it also can make you more likely to fidget and need to constantly move around, explains Bogrow & Associates. 

Despite not all of the symptoms being the same, it's very common for someone with sleep apnea to be misdiagnosed as having ADHD. In fact, the initial symptoms of both of these health issues can be very similar, and it can take some time to discover a misdiagnosis has taken place. Case in point, Bogrow & Associates describes a male patient misdiagnosed as having ADHD. He went on medication for months before learning that he actually had sleep apnea. Fortunately, a sleep study helped the patient get to the bottom of his symptoms. 

Take note: If you have any of the above symptoms, you might want to contact a sleep specialist.

Chances are you've seen the word "gluten" — or even more specific, "gluten free." This type of protein, which is in products made from rye, barley, and wheat, can be problematic for someone who has celiac disease, according to the University of Chicago Medicine. However, this autoimmune disease is sometimes mistaken for a different gluten-related disease.

As the University of Chicago Medicine explains, celiac disease can greatly differ from case to case, which can make it harder to properly diagnose. For example, both celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) can cause exhaustion, pain in your abdomen, and bloating. And yet, a person with celiac disease cannot have any gluten while a person with NCGS can usually consume some without severe consequences. So, a person being misdiagnosed with NCGS when they really have celiac disease could do more damage to their body.

Besides NCGS, celiac disease might also be confused for an allergy to gluten since both can involve pain in the abdomen, notes the University of Chicago Medicine. However, a gluten allergy can be fatal and might include other symptoms like breathing issues, swollen tongue and/or lips, and hives. In addition, gastrointestinal doctors usually treat celiac disease, while allergists (and dietitians) treat patients with a gluten allergy. So, if you are diagnosed with one of these health issues and would like a second opinion, you might want to visit a different type of medical professional.

Imagine constantly feeling exhausted. You try to go about your day, but whether it's working on the computer or walking on the treadmill at the gym, you only feel worse. Even sleep (if you can sleep) doesn't seem to help. This could be a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS, according to MedicineNet. However, this level of fatigue can also be a symptom of a number of other health issues.

For example, chronic mononucleosis can also cause similar symptoms as CFS, especially since CFS can vary from person to person, according to MedicineNet. And, yes, mononucleosis or mono is called "the kissing disease" for a reason, according to MedicineNet. Infectious mononucleosis can be spread via saliva. However, you can also catch it by drinking from the same glass as another person or using their toothbrush. In addition, CFS can share symptoms with health concerns like narcolepsy, schizophrenia, and even cancer. And besides conditions and ailments, sensitivities to certain chemicals, including medications, could also bring on a reaction that mimics CFS.

So, are there any red flags of CFS? Noting your exact symptoms when you speak with a healthcare professional can help with your diagnosis, according to MedicineNet. For example, short-term memory issues can be a sign of CFS. Also, keep track of how long you've been experiencing these symptoms. If it's been at least six months, and other ailments are ruled out as the cause, then it's possible you have CFS.

Known for his work on shows like "Three's Company" and "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," actor John Ritter passed away in 2003 from an aortic dissection. This condition is when the aorta blood vessel, which moves blood away from the heart, tears on the inside and can eventually cause the blood vessel to split open, according to WebMD. But following his death, his widow brought a lawsuit against a hospital that allegedly had misdiagnosed him on more than one occasion, according to CNN. Eventually, this lawsuit was settled. The specifics of Ritter's case aside, aortic dissection can be mistaken for other conditions related to the heart.

Most people who have an aortic dissection are likely to experience intense pain specifically on their upper back between their shoulders, explains WebMD. You might have pain in your arms, neck, and less often your chest. But despite chest pain not usually being a symptom, it can be hard to tell the difference between an aortic dissection and a heart attack. In fact, an aortic dissection can lead to a heart attack even though the two are different conditions that can both be fatal.

Besides intense pain, symptoms of aortic dissection can include the legs feeling numb to the point that you can't move them, according to WebMD. You also can lose your pulse and go into shock. So, if you or someone else is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact emergency services.

Although certain symptoms are usually associated with the neurodegenerative disorder known as Parkinson's disease, how these symptoms develop and progress can vary from person to person, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. And some of the most common health issues connected to this disease can also be symptoms of other conditions (via the Parkinson's Foundation).

For instance, someone with Parkinson's could experience tremors in their hands. However, so can someone with essential tremor, which is believed to be a different health concern from Parkinson's despite their similar symptoms (via EPDA). A person with Parkinson's could also have difficulty maintaining balance, but so too can someone with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus where the body has difficulty properly draining fluid from the brain. And dementia with Lewy bodies where a type of protein accumulates on one's brain and can lead to rigidity and slower muscle movements — both of which are also common symptoms of Parkinson's (via the Parkinson's Foundation).

Beyond these conditions, Parkinson's can also cause your face to appear different, which means it could be confused for a stroke, according to WebMD. Stiffness in your neck can also occur with Parkinson's, but if you combine that with difficulty balancing, facial changes, and trembling in your arms, then it's possible to mistake a Parkinson's episode for stress, Alzheimer's disease, or a head injury. All the more reason to seek medical assistance if you or someone else experiences any of these symptoms. And, of course, don't be afraid to seek a second opinion.

Undoubtedly, people have been having panic disorders for millennia, but the idea of a panic disorder being a condition didn't occur until 1980, according to Vista Pines Health. Because of this, there isn't a universal consensus in the medical community as to what exactly are the aspects of a panic disorder. And that can lead to misdiagnoses.

To fully understand how an incorrect diagnosis can happen, it's important to remember that panic disorders are classified by Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a type of anxiety disorder, as cited by Vista Pines Health. This means they can have similar symptoms to other types of anxiety disorders. For example, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be confused for panic disorders. And if you think about it, it makes sense. Panic disorders involve feeling terrified for no apparent reason, according to MedlinePlus. OCD can involve obsessing over fears to the point that repeated compulsive actions become a coping mechanism, according to the Cleveland Clinic. With that in mind, it's also possible to misdiagnose panic disorders for other anxiety disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder.

While panic disorders being mistaken for other anxiety disorders might not be surprising, it's not the only way it can be misdiagnosed — or rather overlooked during a diagnosis. As Vista Pines Health explains, a person can have both depression and panic disorders. However, it's possible the symptoms of one may overshadow the other, giving the patient an incomplete picture of their mental health.

This next condition is not only possibly life-threatening but also often misdiagnosed, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Remember that the circulatory system connects to all the parts of your body, including the lungs. It does this in part through its arteries. But pulmonary embolism is when something blocks the arteries connected to the lungs (a clot, for example). And, unfortunately, it's sometimes confused for other health problems.

As Dr. Richard Krasuski, director of adult congenital heart disease services at the Cleveland Clinic, explains, the size of the blockage can make a difference when it comes to properly diagnosing pulmonary embolism. For example, you can also experience pain during a heart attack, but that same level of pain could be a red flag of pulmonary embolism, notes Everyday Health. And yet, pain doesn't always accompany this type of embolism because large clots blocking the arteries to the lungs usually don't cause pain.

Besides possibly being confused for a heart attack, pulmonary embolism can also cause breathing issues, which can lead to being misdiagnosed as pneumonia, according to Everyday Health. However, there are some symptoms to watch out for if you think you're experiencing pulmonary embolism, like a fast heartbeat, says the Cleveland Clinic. Also, ask yourself if you're experiencing chest pain, and if anything makes that pain worse. In particular, does coughing or taking a deep breath seem to worsen your pain? But even if you just suspect you have pulmonary embolism, seek medical help right away.