Incomplete history leads to misdiagnosis of optic neuritis
According to a recent study, more than one-half of patients diagnosed with optic neuritis may have another condition affecting their eyesight. The study also suggests that the misdiagnosis is usually due to a limited patient history. Individuals in New York receiving this diagnosis may consider a second opinion.
2nd HIV test for infants increases accuracy of diagnoses
Patients undergoing medical tests in New York might not realize that many tests are not 100 percent accurate. Factors among people, such as genetics, could result in inaccurate results and a misdiagnosis. A study conducted by PLOS Medicine revealed the potential cost savings on health care when infants in South Africa received two tests for HIV instead of one before continuing treatment.
AI outperforms radiologists for diagnosing pneumonia
Despite advancements in medicine, some New Yorkers die from pneumonia every year. With prompt diagnoses and proper treatment, more people could survive bouts of pneumonia. Unfortunately, pneumonia is sometimes misdiagnosed by radiologists when people go to to the emergency department.
HIV diagnosis rates still have room for improvement
New York residents may be interested to learn that, according to US Centers for Disease Control study, many Americans live with HIV for some time before getting diagnosed. What makes this study surprising is that this includes Americans who regularly visit their doctor.
Teens at risk from misdiagnoses of throat infections
Parents of teenagers in New York may want to be alert for complaints of sore throat from their kids. Serious sore throats that require a trip to the doctor could be caused a type of infection that many doctors don’t test for. If this infection goes untreated, it could lead to serious illness or even be fatal.
Pneumonia and lung cancer
As cold and flu season comes to New York, people might also want to be on the lookout for symptoms of pneumonia. Pneumonia is a tricky disease that can be cured in a matter of weeks or, in some cases, can be fatal. For people who have lung cancer, pneumonia is a greater risk, and sometimes its symptoms can be missed because they can be mistaken for those associated with lung cancer. Symptoms that lung cancer and pneumonia share include persistent cough, shortness of breath, low energy and loss of appetite. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, fungi or a virus.
Psychosis can complicate Alzheimer’s diagnoses
Throughout New York and the rest of the nation, Alzheimer’s disease is often misdiagnosed. A misdiagnosis can come in the form of a false positive, when doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s in patients who don’t have it, or a false negative, when doctors fail to detect the condition in a patient. A recent study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translation Research and Clinical Intervention reveals how psychosis complicates matters.
Eating disorders and immune systems diseases
Parents in New York who are concerned about the effects eating disorders can have on their children should know that authors of a study have determined new associations between eating disorders and immune system diseases. They believe that these links may be useful in diagnosing and treating the diseases.
4 skin conditions a dermatologist says are commonly misdiagnosed
Patients in New York and across the country often visit a doctor when they notice an unusual blemish or spot on their skin. Some skin imperfections are nothing more than sun spots or acne. However, others may indicate something requiring immediate attention. If initial signs of skin cancer or similar conditions are overlooked, a delay in treatment could have serious consequences for patients.
Detecting cardiomyopathy
People in New York who have cardiomyopathy may not exhibit symptoms of the disease, which is why it is essential to know how to identify someone who may have a high likelihood of developing the condition. In some cases, there may be no symptoms or signs in the early stages of the disease, but the indications of heart failure may become obvious as the heart begin to deteriorate.