Common Misdiagnoses of Overactive Bladder Syndrome

The symptoms for overactive bladder syndrome include frequent or urgent needs to urinate. The illness is caused by sensitivity in the neurons of the bladder, which typically tell the brain that it is must be released. Often a patient will visit the restroom but release very little urine. It is treatable with medication.

Proper Diagnosis of Overactive Bladder Syndrome

Physicians use several tests to determine if a patient suffers from overactive bladder syndrome. First, the physician should gather a urine sample from the patient for testing. This sample will tell the doctor whether there is anything unusual in the patient’s urine, such as blood, sugar or another chemical.

Next, a doctor should measure the size of the patient’s bladder when empty. This may require the patient to void it first. Measurements are usually performed using an handheld sonogram device and tell the doctor not only how large the bladder is, but whether it is retaining any urine despite having been recently voided.

Finally, the physician may perform a physical examination of the patient’s genitals and urethra. This will indicate whether there is any abnormality in the shape or size of these areas.

Misread Diagnosis

Unfortunately, despite the three tests, it is easy to misdiagnose a patient with overactive bladder syndrome. Unusual test results may indicate that the patient has another condition, such as diabetes or cancer, but sometimes these tests will be inconclusive. Similarly, a patient’s bladder may be unusually sized, making comparison with a “normal” or “average” size bladder difficult or impossible. Finally, a physical examination usually only includes the patient’s exterior region and not his organs. This may result in the doctor overlooking growths or other causes of the urgent feeling to urinate.

A doctor can fail to diagnose a patient with overactive bladder just as easily as he can diagnose him with a different condition. Failing to diagnose overactive bladder usually has very little repercussions other than the annoyance of needing to urinate frequently. A misdiagnosis of overactive bladder syndrome when the patient has another illness, such as cancer, could result in the patient’s condition becoming worse.

Common Misread Diagnosis

The three most common types of misdiagnoses include an enlarged prostate, prostate cancer and an urinary tract infection. The last misdiagnosis, a urinary tract infection, is common when the symptoms have not existed for very long. Infections are treated with antibiotics and usually have very little negative effect on a patient. However, not diagnosing the infection can cause it to grow and affect the function of the liver and kidneys.

A growth caused by prostate cancer, in whatever stage, may impinge on the urethra and make the patient feel as though he must urinate more frequently than usual. Blood tests and a physical examination usually reveal the presence of a growth. If missed, though, the cancer may spread or become more difficult to treat. In this case, the patient may take a medical malpractice cause of action.

Getting Legal Advice

Seek legal advice if you believe that your diagnosis of having overactive bladder syndrome was improper and that you suffered damages as a result of it. An attorney will review your case and discuss with you whether you can proceed with claims against the physician who diagnosed and possibly treated you.