Misdiagnosis of Obesity
Misdiagnosis and Obesity
Metabolic syndrome often undiagnosed: Metabolic syndrome, also known as Syndrome X, is
an often overlooked medical condition that causes a cluster of chronic symptoms.
There are often four symptoms and conditions combined: obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure),
high cholesterol, and diabetes (Type 2 diabetes) or in come cases pre-diabetes initially.
See the introduction to metabolic syndrome.
Undiagnosed causes of weight gain and obesity: Although obesity may be related to lifestyle issues,
there are also a number of medical causes of weight gain or obesity that may go undiagnosed.
Some of the various possibilities include thyroid disorders (i.e. hypothyroidism), polycystic ovarian syndrome (i.e. PCOS),
and various other causes of weight gain.
Metabolic syndrome with its related diabetes (Type 2 diabetes)
is also a consideration, although possibly less helpful in terms of treatment.
See also misdiagnosis of obesity or causes of weight gain.
Over-diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in obese patients: A diagnosis
of pulmonary hypertension, particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension,
is often a misdiagnosis in obese patients.
Exertional dyspnea leads to a diagnostic reading of high right ventricular systolic pressure,
which seems to indicate pulmonary hypertension, but is ultimately found to be an
incorrect diagnosis.
See misdiagnosis of pulmonary hypertension.
Obesity-related conditions undiagnosed in children: A variety of conditions
are associated with obesity (see obesity), but these tend to be undiagnosed more often
in child patients than in adults.
Some of the overlooked conditions may include hypertension, diabetes, acanthosis nigricans, etc.
See misdiagnosis of obesity or introduction to obesity.
Misdiagnosed weight-related causes of infertility: A woman's weight status
can affect her level of fertility.
Although obesity or overweight can in themselves reduce fertility, there are other
weight-related or associated medical conditions that further reduce fertility.
Some of these hidden causes include COPD, diabetes, thyroid disorders (overactive thyroid
or underactive thyroid) and metabolic syndrome.
See also other causes of infertility.
Various reasons for obesity: Various studies have shown that approximately 10% of prepubertal and 15% of adolescent age groups are obese. Parents often blame obesity in children on their diet but endocrine or metabolic causes must be readily differentiated from exogenous obesity by a simple physical examination and an assessment of the linear growth. Children with exogenous obesity tend to have an accelarated linear growth whereas children with secondary causes are usually short. Some congenital or inherited disorders associated with obesity which must be kept in mind include Prader- Willi syndrome, Laurence Moon Biedl syndrome and Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome. Endocrine disorders in children taht rarely cause obesity include hypothyoidism, Cushing's syndrome, insulinomas and Frohlich's syndrome.
More about Misdiagnosis
» Next page: OBESITY, PATHOLOGIC (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
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