Stand Up for Yourself

Education Is critical for women searching for the correct medical diagnosis

It is a condition women experience all too often. They feel like something is wrong with their body, but they struggle to get the right diagnosis and treatment. The consequences can be serious and result in years of needless suffering. Women who educate themselves about the most frequently misdiagnosed medical disorders are better prepared and more likely to receive the right diagnosis. Here are four of the most
common.

Multiple Sclerosis
Women are three times more likely than men to be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that attacks the protective covering of the nerves. MS usually appears between the ages of 20 and 40. Early symptoms include numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, tingling or dull pain, fatigue and vision problems. MS can have few or no symptoms or it can be completely disabling, and there is no way to predict how the disease will progress.

Treatment
Some people with mild symptoms can be treated with corticosteroids. But most cases require a drug therapy. Rest is important and mild exercise can improve a person’s coordination, balance, strength and muscle tone. Staying out of the heat can reduce the likelihood of a relapse.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Like MS, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, but it attacks the linings of the joints in the hands, wrists, hips, knees and feet. About 75 percent of the RA cases in the U.S. are women. Symptoms, which can occur at any age, include stiffness (especially after waking up), joints that are tender to the touch, fatigue, fever, swelling, aching and potential deformity of the joints. Patient with RA can have trouble climbing stairs, putting on clothes, even opening a jar. RA is usually symmetrical: if a joint on one side of the body has it, the joint on the other side is often involved as well.

Treatment
The past 20 years have seen many advances in the treatment of RA. Today, three categories of powerful prescription drugs are available to help stop the disease from causing major damage. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the newest drugs, called biologics, which are made from human genes. Steroids can help reduce inflammation, but they do not stop the disease from progressing.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder among women of childbearing age. Caused by high levels of androgens (male hormones), PCOS is the leading cause of infertility. As many as one in every 10 women of childbearing age will develop PCOS, and half of those will be diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, due to the high level of androgen caused by an imbalance of insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar. Symptoms include irregular periods (or none at all), hair growth on your face, chest, back and limbs, acne, baldness or rapid, substantial weight gain (more than 10 pounds a year).

Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS. As a result, treatment is designed to manage the symptoms and prevent infertility, diabetes and heart disease. For example, birth control pills can help regulate menstrual cycles and lower androgen levels, reducing hair growth and acne.

Fibromyalgia
Up to six million women in the United States suffer from the widespread pain caused by fibromyalgia. Doctors aren’t sure what causes fibromyalgia. The symptoms, which include pain, numbness and exhaustion, usually
begin to develop in early and middle adulthood. If you have experienced widespread pain in your body that has lasted more than three months, you should ask your doctor to perform a tender-point exam. This test identifies places on your body that are painful to touch but show no signs of redness or swelling.

Treatment
Over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can be effective as well as antidepressants and the prescription drug Lyrica. Massage, stretching and any kind of stress reduction can also be helpful.

Sources: CNN Health, Women’s Health Research Institute