Misdiagnosed diabetes: when is it malpractice?

Misdiagnosed diabetes: when is it malpractice?

Diabetes is an increasingly common disease today. According to Healthline, more than 29 million Americans suffer from the disease, and up to 8 million of those people may be undiagnosed or unaware of the problem. There are three main types of diabetes – type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Each can present with a range of symptoms, from unexplained pain to weight gain. The reality is that not diagnosing diabetes delays treatment, increases the risk of complications, and in extreme cases can even be fatal. Diabetes misdiagnosis typically falls into two categories: non-diagnosis and negligently delayed diagnosis, leading to unfortunate and preventable complications.

Diagnose diabetes

Diagnosing diabetes is surprisingly easy. This can be confirmed by a routine blood test that checks blood sugar levels. The A1C test measures your average blood sugar over the past few months. Ranges between 5.7 and 6.5 indicate prediabetes, while values ​​above 6.5 indicate full-blown diabetes. Fasting blood sugar levels over 100 indicate prediabetes, while levels over 126 are considered diabetic. An oral glucose test is also an option that examines the patient's response to oral glucose and its effects on blood sugar.

Symptoms that indicate the possibility of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst

• Excessive urination

• Weight loss that is not easy to explain

• Weight gain that is not easy to explain

• Changes in appetite, including high levels of hunger

• Skin problems, including itchy, dry, or cracked skin

• Decreased healing ability, such as: B. Cuts or bruises that don't go away

• Yeast infections, especially recurrent or difficult-to-treat infections

• fatigue and irritability

• Vision problems, especially blurred vision

• Numbness or tingling in the limbs

Treatment and complications

Treatment for diabetes depends on the severity of the disease as well as the person's overall health. Solutions range from lifestyle changes focused on diet and exercise to medication and insulin administration. The focus is on lowering blood sugar levels. If diabetes is left untreated or cannot be controlled, serious complications can occur. Some of the more serious complications include visual impairment such as blindness, persistent pain, amputations due to poor circulation, diabetic coma and even death. Therefore, proper diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care are critical to a patient's overall health and quality of life.

If you have visited your doctor with these symptoms and have not been diagnosed, you may have a malpractice situation. In the case of diabetes, malpractice may occur if the doctor did not perform proper tests, did not perform follow-up tests as shown by preliminary results, did not recommend or approve appropriate treatment, or did not identify risk factors such as lifestyle and family history. If misconduct is suspected, an attorney will review your medical records and consult with top experts in diabetes diagnosis and care to determine whether additional steps should have been taken regarding your diagnosis, treatment, or ongoing care.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with diabetes and do you believe delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis played a role in your case? Contact a qualified and experienced medical malpractice attorney today to schedule a personal consultation and learn more about whether your misdiagnosed diabetes can be classified as medical malpractice.

Inspired by Jill Smith