Misdiagnosis is a serious problem for people in New Jersey who have chronic health conditions. In fact, erroneous treatments that are administered because of misdiagnoses can lead to permanent disability and even death in some cases. Diseases such as multiple sclerosis that have a wide range of symptoms tend to be misdiagnosed more frequently.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disease that causes ongoing problems with the central nervous system. People with MS suffer from nerve damage after their immune systems start attacking the protective layers on their nerves. Symptoms of MS can range from numbness and weakness to shakiness and complete lack of mobility. People with MS also frequently experience:
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
This disease tends to worsen over time as symptoms either relapse and remit or steadily progress. While there is no cure for MS, some things can be done to slow the progression of the disease. A timely diagnosis of MS would also be critical for a patient so that they can plan for future care needs. The misdiagnosis of MS can be grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Misdiagnosis of MS
MS is frequently misdiagnosed for other autoimmune diseases such as sarcoidosis, myasthenia gravis, and lupus. The chronic condition may also be confused with infectious diseases like Lyme disease. In some cases of misdiagnosis, a person who is experiencing an MS attack is thought to be having a stroke.
Recovering from the impact of misdiagnosis
A person who has MS but was misdiagnosed with another condition may have been seriously harmed by erroneous treatment. Someone in this situation might want to pursue financial compensation for the harm they have experienced.