Common Misdiagnoses of Anasarca

Anasarca describes swelling of the skin due to extra fluid in the tissues. It is usually caused by congestive heart failure, hookworm or kidney disease, to name just a few common causes. There are few symptoms of anasarca, as painful swelling is typically a symptom all patients notice as a direct result of this condition, though some males also have difficulty urinating. Other symptoms may occur depending on the underlying cause of anasarca. If this condition is not diagnosed correctly by a doctor, the underlying condition may become worse, possibly resulting in death.

Proper Diagnosis Procedure

The doctor may ask questions about your medical history to determine the underlying cause of anasarca. An albumin blood test is often given, which measures the amount of albumin in the blood. This is the most common plasma protein that the body contains, and proper levels are necessary to carry the plasma and distribute the bodily fluids effectively. Therefore, a lack of albumin can result in swelling, allowing doctors to properly diagnose anasarca.

Some doctors may use an electrocardiogram, X-rays and urinalysis to determine the underlying cause of anasarca, but these are not always necessary to simply diagnose this condition.

Misread Diagnosis

The more tests a doctor performs, the more accurate the diagnosis will be. Some doctors may fail to perform any official tests, simply diagnosing anasarca when they see swelling, even though other conditions also have this symptom.

Fluid retention in the body and urinary changes are common with acute renal failure, leading some doctors to assume that patients with these symptoms must have this condition. However, there are many other symptoms of acute renal failure, such as mood changes, loss of appetite and fatigue. Flank pain, nausea and nosebleeds are also common among patients with this condition. These symptoms only tend to show up in patients with anasarca when a kidney issue is the underlying cause of the swelling, making it easy for doctors to confuse the two conditions. However, a blood test can often make the diagnosis more accurate.

Angioedema is swelling just below the surface of the skin, usually due to an allergic reaction. Most doctors ask patients if they have recently been near any substances that tend to cause allergic reactions, such as dander, pollen and insect bites. They also consider other symptoms that occur with angioedema, including cramping in the abdomen, difficulty breathing and swelling of the mucus membranes. These symptoms rarely occur in those with anasarca, so doctors paying proper attention to the signs should not misdiagnose the condition.

Contact a Lawyer

If you have not been properly diagnosed with anasarca and this leads to complications, you should find a lawyer. You may have a medical malpractice case, which may mean that your medical expenses, as well as any pain and suffering, will be covered.