Parkinson’s disease warning: Condition could be mistaken for THIS other common illness
PARKINSON’S disease is a debilitating condition, however it’s symptoms can be confused with those of Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. These are the illnesses most commonly misdiagnosed by doctors.
Parkinson's disease: It is commonly mistaken for Alzheimer's disease
The average consultation time in the UK is just ten minutes.
In February this year the Royal College of GPs argued it was too short for complex consultations and that doctors are “ridiculously overworked”.
At the same time the NHS paid more than £12million in a single year due to misdiagnosis, indicating that it is a common problem.
It can lead to pain, suffering and - in the worst cases - death.
Parkinson's disease: Misdiagnosis cost the NHS £12million in a single year
Parkinson's disease commonly mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, stress, a traumatic head injury and essential tremor.
These are the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions, according to Ramsay Health Care UK.
Parkinson’s disease
It is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system with symptoms including tremors in hands, arms or legs, stiff muscles, and problems with balance or walking.
However, it is commonly mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, stress, a traumatic head injury and essential tremor.
Grave’s disease
The condition causes an overactive thyroid gland, and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms include eyes bulging, anxiety, sweating, rapid pulse, unplanned weight loss or gain, and extreme tiredness.
Without treatment, it can prove life-threatening, however it is often mistaken for depression, ageing and under-exercising.
Parkinson's disease: Coeliac disease can be mistaken for IBS
Fibromyalgia
It is a chronic arthritis-like disorder characterised by widespread pain.
However, symptoms - anxiety, sensitivity to pain and incapacitating fatigue - can be confused with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
It is a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that most commonly occurs after a stroke or ahead injury from a fall.
Symptoms of unsteady gait, progressive dementia and urinary problems, can be interpreted as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
Multiple Sclerosis
The progressive autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system has symptoms including muscle spasms, lack of coordination, balance problems, blurred vision and cognitive impairment.
However, it is commonly mistaken for a viral infection, lupus, Alzheimer’s disease and bipolar disorder.
Coeliac disease
It is an autoimmune disorder marked by an inability to digest gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley.
Symptoms can include vomiting, abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhoea, weight loss, anaemia and leg cramps.
However it can be mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and cystic fibrosis.
What is Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease: Chronic fatigue syndrome can be mistaken for lupus
Chronic fatigue syndrome
The complex disorder has no known cause but symptoms include loss of memory or concentration, a sore throat, painful lymph nodes in neck or armpits, unexplained muscle or joint pain and extreme exhaustion.
It is often confused with sinus problems, hepatitis, fibromyalgia, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Lupus
It is a chronic inflammatory disease, with symptoms including fatigue, kidney, heart and lung damage, rash and joint pain.
However, it can be mistaken for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Aortic dissection
This is where a tear develops in the aorta, the largest blood vessel branching from the heart, which causes the inner and middle layers to separate.
Symptoms can include sudden chest or upper back pain, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, sweating and weak pulse in one arm.
However it can be misdiagnosed as heartburn, heart attack and stroke.