Misdiagnosis can lead to issues for OHS patients

When Ohio residents go to a doctor or hospital for treatment, they expect to receive a correct diagnosis and effective treatment. However, far too many patients continue to receive inaccurate diagnoses. As a result, they may not get effective treatments for their conditions, which can progress and worsen over time. One condition that is often misdiagnosed is obesity hyperventilation syndrome, or OHS. It can be very serious, but doctors often do not screen effectively for the condition. Analysts expect more people to be affected by OHS, especially as rates of obesity in the general population continue to rise.

There are effective treatments available for OHS. However, most people with the disease are not promptly or accurately diagnosed. This failure to diagnose the disease can lead it to progress to respiratory failure. People with OHS may find themselves seeking treatment for a range of unexplained medical symptoms. Even some patients who are hospitalized with respiratory failure may remain misdiagnosed even though effective diagnosis of the disorder can save lives.

OHS is the most serious respiratory problem linked to obesity. It involves difficulty breathing while awake and asleep, and up to 20% of severely obese patients at sleep clinics may be affected by OHS. It’s associated with an increased risk of heart failure and even death. Medical professionals recommend a screening protocol that could help to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis. Measuring arterial blood gas for patients could lead to faster, more accurate diagnoses when there is a strong reason to suspect OHS.

The failure to diagnose progressive diseases can lead to severely worsened health conditions for many patients. Someone who has suffered due to a misdiagnosis or other doctor error can consult with a medical malpractice attorney about their options to pursue compensation.