Notice! These 11 physical diseases are easily misdiagnosed

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

This disease is a chronic disease that affects the intestines and symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, diarrhea or constipation. According to the diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel, the patient's symptoms had persisted for at least 6 months before the first diagnosis, and the patient's discomfort symptoms occurred at least 3 days a month in the past 3 months.

2. Migraine

When a migraine occurs, the head hurts violently and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to sound and light. However, some people with migraines experience dizziness and lightheadedness, while others have milder symptoms. The latter are more likely to be diagnosed as other types of headaches. A neurologist can rule out other conditions, more accurately diagnose migraine, and treat the symptoms.

3. Rheumatoid arthritis

The early stages of the disease have symptoms similar to many diseases - joint pain or stiffness, and the causes are diverse. Blood tests can detect whether there is inflammation in the body. In addition, the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis must rely on the patient's medical history and a careful examination of the patient by the doctor.

4. Diabetes

Many patients with type 2 diabetes are not diagnosed until they develop symptoms such as vision problems and numbness in the hands and feet many years after the disease occurs. The reason is that many people do not pay enough attention to high blood sugar levels, do not see a doctor regularly, and do not have regular checkups. Thirst, hunger, frequent urination, sudden weight loss and fatigue are all early symptoms of diabetes and are worth paying attention to.

5. Hypothyroidism

In its early stages, symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) are mild and include fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, muscle pain and memory impairment, and can be easily misdiagnosed as conditions such as depression or fibromyalgia. Since hypothyroidism is most common in people over 60 (especially women), it is easy to simply attribute it to aging.

6. Polycystic ovary syndrome

In addition to symptoms such as irregular menstruation, unexplained weight gain and difficulty getting pregnant, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms include multiple small cysts on the ovaries. However, not all ovarian cysts are PCOS, and not all PCOS patients will develop multiple small ovarian cysts. Factors such as menstrual irregularities or prolonged periods and elevated androgen levels should also be considered in the diagnosis.

7. Appendicitis

Typical symptoms of appendicitis include nausea, pain, periumbilical tenderness, or a low-grade fever. However, some patients have a backward-facing appendix in a different location and with varying symptoms. Sometimes the patient feels pain, but then the appendix ruptures, the pain subsides, and the patient feels better. In fact, a ruptured appendix can easily lead to abdominal infection and even be life-threatening.

8. Endometriosis

This disease can easily be misdiagnosed as dysmenorrhea. However, patients with endometriosis often experience symptoms such as pelvic pain, cramping, and heavy bleeding, and the longer the disease lasts, the more severe the symptoms become. A pelvic examination, ultrasound, or laparoscopy can help confirm the diagnosis.

9. Fibromyalgia

The disease is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. Rheumatologists often diagnose such patients with fibromyalgia, while gastroenterologists tend to misdiagnose them with irritable bowel syndrome.

10. Multiple sclerosis

The first symptoms of MS often include numbness, weakness, or tingling in one or more of the limbs. However, the actual diagnosis of this disease is more complicated because the severity of the disease varies greatly among patients. Once a doctor suspects that a person may have MS, it is best to do a spinal tap or MRI to confirm it.

11. Lupus

The most distinctive sign of this chronic inflammatory disease is a butterfly-shaped rash on the patient's cheeks, but not all patients develop the rash. The symptoms of lupus are diverse and can affect multiple tissues such as joints, kidneys, brain, skin, and lungs. The symptoms may also be similar to those of multiple diseases. Diagnosis of this disorder usually involves blood and urine tests and a complete physical examination.