subject: The Diabetic And The Issue Of Malpractice [print this page] Diabetes presents many physical as well as medical challenges for the individual. One of the major issues in diabetes management is potassium control and failure to properly keep blood glucose levels down creates problems regarding potassium. The condition of high potassium levels is called "hyperkalemia" while low levels is known as "hypokalemia".
When diabetes is poorly managed, hyperkalemia results in kidney damage as well as a condition known as ketoacedosis. On the other hand, inability to properly metabolize blood sugar results in low potassium levels known as hypokalemia. These conditions result in any of the following complications:
a)Kidney damage and/or kidney failure;
b)Inherent damage to the fetus in a pregnant mother;
c)Increased risk of aneurysm and ischemic strokes as a result of its rupture;
d)Increased risk of the formation of kidney stones;
e)Reduction of skin elasticity;
Because of the far reaching and encompassing effect of diabetes on the individual, proper diagnosis is key to the overall health of the individual. When a doctor does not diagnose the condition or misdiagnoses the condition, then the complications would arise without the proper regimentation needed to keep diabetics healthy. As such, this can make the doctor and/or hospital can be held liable for all the damages as a consequence of this medical misdiagnosis.
One of the key indicators to determine medical malpractice is potassium levels. Since diabetes per se does not have clear manifestations as to its effect, high or low potassium levels have a clear and direct consequence to the overall health of the individual. Because diabetes management is necessary to also manage potassium levels, failing to apprise the patient of the possible diabetes can make them liable under the law.
Before any malpractice suit is filed, it is important that the individual be properly diagnosed first for diabetes. After such diagnosis, the complications from diabetes must also be diagnosed. One of the easiest ways to determine such complications is through potassium levels in the body. When there are high levels of potassium, the possibility of kidney stones or kidney failure needs to be properly examined. With low levels of potassium, the increased risk of ischemic strokes must be reviewed. When these are found, a cause of action for medical malpractice can be formulated to allow the injured party just compensation for its unfortunate injuries.
As can be seen, failure to diagnose diabetes is not the only cause to file a medical malpractice. There must be physical manifestations of such diabetes related complications in order to have the right to seek just compensation for the injuries sustained.
