One of the scariest things about one’s health is the fact that a seemingly minor symptom can turn out to be the result of a much bigger problem. Nausea may result as the onset of some forms of cancer, a chest cold can wind up being debilitating pneumonia, and even fatigue can end up being caused by a serious illness. The same holds true for headaches. Although most of these are nothing more than painful and annoying, sometimes they can be the result of a stroke.
It doesn’t take a doctor to know that a stroke can be deadly, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many diagnostic options which, when used properly and efficiently, can catch a stroke before it gets too severe. One way Louisiana medical professionals do this is by conducting blood tests. By doing this, they can measure how fast a patient’s blood clots as well as analyze certain blood chemicals. Doctors can also conduct a CT scan to receive a more detailed image of the brain. This picture, which is easily readable thanks to the use of dye injected into the bloodstream, can indicate if a stroke is more or less likely.
But those aren’t the only testing options. A MRI can create an even more detailed image, giving doctors the ability to see any damage caused by a stroke. A carotid ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of arteries around the neck, which may have a buildup of plaque that can lead to a stroke. And these tests don’t even encompass the full extent of testing options available to medical professionals.
So what does this mean to patients? It means that if there is a failure to diagnose a stroke, or a misdiagnosis of a stroke, then a doctor may have missed something. If that is the case, then a victim may want to pursue a medical malpractice claim, which could result in the recovery of compensation. However, proving negligence is no easy task, so those who believe they have been wronged by their healthcare providers may want to discuss the situation with a qualified Louisiana legal professional.
Source: Mayo Clinic, “Stroke,” accessed on May 26, 2017
