Your health is too important. Don’t get burned by doctors who dismiss symptoms, deny tests or treatment and potentially misdiagnose medical conditions.

Medical gaslighting is undeniably on the rise:

The New York Times recently reported research showing that diagnostic errors occur in 1 out of 7 doctor-patient encounters.
Recently a Today Show segment featured a woman whose symptoms were downplayed by physicians and eventually was found to have a 25-pound ovarian tumor. Doctors told her that her stomach and back pain, vomiting, weakness and hair loss were due to excess weight and depression—her treatment was significantly delayed.

Insider reported on the case of an obese patient who was originally diagnosed with weight-related arthritis, but a second opinion found Lyme disease.

Women are particularly prone to missed diagnoses because medical professionals often view their complaints as overdramatic or exaggerated. People of color and obese patients also face care disparities.

Mistakes may result from a physician’s knowledge gap as well as less than ideal working conditions, with time stretched thin and too little spent with patients. Given that, medical errors are bound to happen.

What can be done to avoid weeks, months or even years of suffering and delayed treatment for an undiagnosed medical condition? Experts recommend getting a second – or even third – opinion. After all, even for simple household repairs, most people get several estimates. But for major medical conditions, they often do not.

SecondOpinions.com offers straightforward online medical consultations with physician experts in dozens of specialties. You can use your existing lab tests, medical images and other data to avoid duplicated costs and the hassle of complicated health insurance claims.
To learn more about advocating for your own health and getting important peace-of-mind, click here to connect with one of our specialists.

Strokes are unfortunately very common, and can be caused by a variety of factors. Strokes occur when blood supply to the brain is blocked or interrupted, which can be caused by blocked or narrowed arteries, or a blood clot. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke, as well as smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Strokes can also be caused by a ruptured aneurysm, or bleeding in the brain. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to prevent a stroke, but it is important to be aware of the risk factors and try to reduce them to lower the risk.

Second Opinions wanted to share with you “Signs of a possible Stroke:”

F – Face drooping

Is one side of the face drooping or numb? Ask the person to smile and look to see if one side of their mouth is drooping.

A – Arm weakness

Is one arm weak or numb? Can the person raise both arms at the same time? If both arms are raised, does one slouch or sag below the other?

S – Speech difficulty

Is speech slurred or hard to understand? Is the person confused?

T – Time to call 911

If someone is experiencing one or more of these stroke symptoms, it’s time to call 911.

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, can comprise a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea and constipation, among others.

Some facts about IBS:

– The causes of IBS are somewhat mysterious. Some are physical – abnormal intestinal muscle contractions, infections and bacterial overgrowth – while other causes stem from stress and nerves.

-IBS is often diagnosed by process of elimination after ruling out more serious gastrointestinal conditions such as colitis or Crohn’s disease.

-The prevalence of IBS is estimated at 10% to 15% of the population.

So if you’re suffering from IBS symptoms, you’re far from alone. Many would-be patients haven’t yet been diagnosed and might think, “I have a weak stomach” or “I just ate too much of the wrong food” instead of seeking treatment for a medically recognized disorder.
The stress of dealing with this chronic condition can build on itself, causing anxiety about being out in public without reliable bathroom access. Physical symptoms often have a psychological cause, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t real or don’t affect patients’ quality of life.

IBS symptoms range in severity and frequency, with varied effects on physical and mental well-being. As with many conditions, symptoms can also differ between men and women. If you think you may have had an overlooked IBS diagnosis because you don’t fit the classic diagnostic criteria, consider seeking a second opinion. Whether your brain is the cause or not, the physical symptoms in your gut are real, and there are treatment options that may help. Reach out to SecondOpinions.com for a straightforward assessment of your GI symptoms.

Stop what you are doing at this very moment and breathe, thank you for taking a moment to decompress. Did you know that stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension, that presents itself through any event where you may feel frustrated but let us not forget stress is a natural human reaction to changes and challenges that are happening to us and around us. Stress a lot of the time presents itself a lot of them times through our body such as headaches, dizziness or shaking are few of the many ways stress presents itself in the body. Stress is something that cannot be diagnosed with a test, it is the person who is experiencing the stress that can determine how severe it may feel, but do not worry Second Opinions has a solution for your peace of mind.

Physical Symptoms of Stress

• • Aches and Pains
  • Chest Pain or a racing heart
  • Exhaustion or trouble sleeping
  • Stomach problems
  • Trouble having sex
  • Weak immune systems

Even though you cannot avoid stress, here a several ways to help stress from becoming overwhelming by implementing these strategies:

• A short walk can boost your mood.
• Celebrate the Goals you accomplished and what you did not finish.
• Set new weekly and daily goals.
• Consider speaking with a therapist or healthcare provider.

If you need a mental health professional to talk to, Second Opinions can help connect you with a psychologist for your peace of mind.