You may have heard about underdiagnosis cases, and how this can be harmful for a patient who is not receiving adequate treatment for a condition or a disease they have. But an overdiagnosis is also a problematic situation, and can be just as dangerous as underdiagnosis—if not more so. The following are just some examples of how an overdiagnosis can be harmful to a patient:
Too Much Medicine
One of the main dangerous that comes with an overdiagnosis can be that you receive too much medication as a result. You might receive the right medication that you need for your particular condition, but because the doctor thought it was in a much more advanced stage, you’re receiving too much of that medication. This can lead to awful side effects that can range from discomforting to deadly. Depending on the form of overdiagnosis you receive, it’s possible that you’re treated with an entirely different medication, and one that’s much too strong for your condition. This can also be very dangerous.
Not the Right Treatment
When a condition is overdiagnosed, it’s likely you won’t receive the treatment you need. Even receiving too much of a correct treatment can be a bad thing. Not only do you run the risk of unpleasant or harmful side effects, but with an overdiagnosis, it means you’re not receiving the right treatment overall. Your original symptoms might not get better, and depending on your treatment plan, they might even worsen.
The Issue Can Be Overlooked
In a way, an overdiagnosis can be a form of a complete misdiagnosis. When certain conditions and illnesses are treated much more seriously than they really are, it’s possible that the overdiagnosis actually falls into a completely different category and you receive treatment for something that’s entirely off base. As such, your original condition isn’t treated the way it should be, which could give it the chance to worsen.
Have you or someone you know suffered as a direct result of a doctor’s negligence? You may be entitled to monetary compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Whether you were overdiagnosed for a condition, or experienced some other form of medical malpractice, the medical malpractice lawyers at Andres, Berger & Tran are here to help. Contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Andres, Berger & Tran today if you or a loved one has been harmed as the direct result of a medical professional’s negligence.
