October 6, 2022
When a resident of Illinois experiences unusual symptoms and goes to his or her doctor, he or she expects to be accurately diagnosed. However, sometimes, a condition can be mistaken for something else. Multiple sclerosis is a classic example of this issue.
How multiple sclerosis affects you
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the myelin sheath that protects and nourishes nerves from the brain and spinal cord. This leads to a disruption in communication between the brain and various areas of the body.
A person with MS can experience a slew of symptoms. Everyone is different; some individuals may have minimal, milder symptoms while other people may experience severe symptoms. MS commonly causes blurred vision; tingling or numbness in the torso, limbs, or face; dizziness; balance issues; bladder control problems; muscle weakness; and cognitive issues.
Conditions confused with MS
Doctors might misdiagnose a person with MS based on his or her symptoms. While this may not initially be considered medical malpractice, doctors should order diagnostic tests to either confirm or dismiss a diagnosis of MS.
One condition that’s often confused with MS is diabetes, which can cause blurred vision, bladder issues and nerve damage.
Migraines cause many of the same symptoms as MS. A person’s vision can become blurry, and he or she might feel numbness and mental fog. Dizziness and balance issues can also occur. A doctor might tell a person he or she is experiencing a migraine when the individual actually has MS or vice-versa.
A vitamin B12 deficiency can mimic some symptoms of MS. If you don’t have enough of this vitamin in your system, you may feel fatigued and experience numbness in your limbs. Balance issues and difficulty walking can also occur. You may also experience cognitive problems.
A diagnosis of MS is often life-changing. You might need a second opinion if the doctor makes a misdiagnosis.
