If at first you don't succeed

Article Abstract:

Physicians should remain open-minded and not cling to a diagnosis if a patient's symptoms change or do not clearly support a single diagnosis. A 22-year-old Laotian woman's symptoms progressively included indigestion, headaches, weight loss, fatigue, irregular sleep patterns, and finally a persistent cough. Various tests and treatments partially suggested diagnoses of anemia, parasitic infection, and hyperthyroidism. New symptoms and insufficient responses to treatments continually suggested these diagnoses were incorrect, until she was tested and treated successfully for tuberculosis. When the probability of a certain diagnosis is higher than 30%, it should be seriously considered, but adjusted if new, contradictory information becomes available. When a diagnostic test produces an unexpected result, the test should be repeated. A long-term relationship with a patient allows the physician to appropriately modify the diagnosis.

Tuberculosis

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Just in time

Article Abstract:

The accurate diagnosis of rare diseases, such as Addison's disease, can be extremely difficult and requires looking for the disease that can explain all of the present symptoms. After several misdiagnoses and unsuccessful treatments, a 15-year-old girl was correctly diagnosed and treated for Addison's disease, which involves inadequate production of adrenal hormones. This girl's symptoms included an elevated heart rate, fatigue, weight loss, amenorrhea, vomiting, and diarrhea. She had repeated tests and was thought to have Helicobacter pylori infection and then anorexia nervosa. Only after her condition became nearly fatal did she have the abnormal blood tests typical of Addison's disease. When patients such as this girl have symptoms that can result from several diseases, physicians begin testing diagnoses of the most common diseases. However, proper diagnosis requires an explanation of typical and atypical symptoms.

Addison's disease

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Open up and say "ahaaa!" Listen to what your mouth is telling you about your health

Article Abstract:

Cold sores can mean that a person is run down, but persistent cold sores are a symptom of HIV, so chronic sufferers should visit a physician. A burning feeling on the tongue could be caused by a vitamin deficiency. Swollen gums and other symptoms are also discussed.

Analysis, Abnormalities, Mouth, Stomatognathic system, Symptomatology, Signs and symptoms

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