Misdiagnosis of Weight loss
Misdiagnosis and Weight loss
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.
Undiagnosed celiac disease in pregnancy harms fetus: The failure
to diagnose the common but less known digestive disease celiac disease (see symptoms of celiac disease)
is linked to adverse fetal outcomes.
See misdiagnosis of celiac disease.
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.
Lack of early signs in renal cell carcinoma: Renal cell carcinoma lacks early warning signs
and makes a much generalised presentation. Hence the chances of it being
misdiagnosed are higher. It has to be differentiated from conditions like renal
abscess, metastatic disease, infected or hemorrhagic cyst and lymphoma. The
prognosis of patients with RCC depends on its stage at diagnosis. The prognosis
is worst for patients with metastatic disease at presentation and best for
patients with small masses confined to the kidney.
Widely underdiagnosed- Coeliac disease: Coeliac disease is a widely
underdiagnosed condition as most patients present with non gastrointestinal
symptoms such as tiredness. It is autoimmune in nature and there could be a
genetic factor with one in 10 chance of a first degree relative getting
affected. It presents with a classical triad of diarrhoea, weight loss and iron
of folate deficiency. Duodenal biopsy is the key diagnostic test. It can appear to any age and is associated with type
1 DM, dermatitis herpatiformis, Ig A deficiency, osteoporosis and autoimmune
thyroid disease.
Addison's disease has a good prognosis: Addison’s disease when treated
with adequate replacement therapy has a good prognosis and life expectancy
approximates normal. Lifelong medical supervision is required for signs of
continued adequate therapy and avoidance of overdose and avoidance of
complications such as hyperpyrexia, Addisonian crisis, psychotic reactions and
hyperkalemic paralysis. It must be differentiated from conditions such as
pituitary stalk resection, withdrawal from long term use of steroids, Sheehan’s
syndrome and trauma.
Neuroblastoma can be confusing...: Neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor of neural crest
origin and is the most common solid tumor of infancy and childhood. The most
common site of tumor is the adrenal medulla.
Hence a majority of signs and symptoms are related to the site of the
tumor. The spread of
tumor through blood occurs very
early.The tumor can metastasise or spread to the eyes or bones and can
present with corresponding symptoms and signs. This condition is most
oftenly confused with Wilms tumor, lymphoma,hepatoblastoma,
ganglioneuroma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Treatment consists of chemotherapy in inoperable
cases or in adjunct with surgery or radiotherapy. Surgery alone may be
possible in low risk tumors.
Blindness in Tuberculosis could be drug- induced: Pulmonary tuberculosis is the infection of lung caused by the organism
called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The involvement of the lungs is the most
common presentation. Tuberculosis spreads through the blood, lymph and reaches
others parts of the body easily, infecting it. The primary form of the disease
maybe asymptomatic or symptomatic. Patients with TB have increased risk in
developing HIV infection. The condition maybe be misdiagnosed with fever of
unknown origin. The diagnosis is usually made on chest x-ray and sputum
culture. The treatment commonly known as DOTS (directly observed therapy)
includes administration of four antibiotic drugs namely isoniazid, rifampicin,
ethambutol, and streptomycin. Ethambutol is noted to cause colour blindness,
decreased vision, central scotoma known as optic neuritis and liver toxicity.
With discontinuation of the drug patient see an improvement in the vision.
Is your child always hungry?: Type 1 Diabetes also known as Juvenile Diabetes appears during childhood or
adolescence and is a chronic condition which presents with vague symptoms such
as failure to gain weight in spite of a huge appetite. It occurs due to the
inability of the body to produce insulin. The presentation of the condition may
lead to a late diagnosis or a misdiagnosis. Once the child is diagnosed they
must carefully monitored for signs of complications such as hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia
and diabetic ketoacidosis. The treatment and food intake has to be managed
accordingly.
More about Misdiagnosis
» Next page: ANOREXIA (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
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