If you’ve ever Googled your symptoms to try and find out what’s wrong with you, you’re not alone. But did you know that playing doctor online could be doing you more harm than good? This article will delve into the risks of researching medical information online and why it’s best to speak to a health professional if you are experiencing symptoms.
1. What is Googling Your Symptoms?
Googling your symptoms is an easy way to start considering potential causes and possible treatments for any ailments you may be experiencing. It’s important to remember, however, that this type of searching and self-diagnosing should only be a first step – a journey of discovery as opposed to a definite answer. That said, here is a breakdown of what to keep in mind when using online symptom-checking tools:
- Research Reputable Sources: Not every site or article you come across is going to be providing reliable information. Look for reliable websites from respected organizations such as the CDC, American Medical Association, or Mayo Clinic.
- Be Mindful of the Algorithm: If you’re using a symptom-checking tool or app, remember that the results you’re receiving are generated by an algorithm – meaning they’re not really tailored to your individual symptoms.
- Never Self-Diagnose or Self-Medicate: If anything, use your findings as a jumping-off point for discussing potential diagnoses and treatments with a medical professional.
In general, it’s important to remember that– no matter how sophisticated the technology – online symptom-checking tools are not a substitute for an actual medical opinion.
2. The Dangers of Self-Diagnosis
Self-diagnosis is the practice of diagnosing physical and mental health conditions without the help of medical professionals. It has become increasingly popular with the explosive growth of health-related websites and other online information. While it is admirable to be proactive and informed about our health and well-being, it can be dangerous to rely solely on researching symptoms online. Some of them include:
- Misdiagnosis: People without medical training may misdiagnose their condition, leading to improper treatment or no treatment at all. This can cause physical harm, or delay treatment of a serious medical condition.
- Unnecessary obsession: Self-diagnosis can lead to an obsessive focus on symptoms and deep dives into information that may be inaccurate or even detrimental to mental health.
- Relying on outdated info: Internet information can be outdated or incorrect. Relying on it for diagnosis may lead to incorrect or outdated treatments.
A professional diagnosis is always preferable over self-diagnosis. Receiving help from a medical professional can reduce the risks of wrong diagnosis or incorrect treatments. Additionally, some medical conditions have similar signs and symptoms, so ruling out the correct one without professional help can be difficult.
3. What are the Risks of Googling Your Symptoms?
When trying to diagnose your symptoms, you might be tempted to simply type them into Google and expect the correct diagnosis. While it might sound like a good idea and you may be able to eliminate some less serious illnesses, it’s important to know that this doesn’t always give an accurate result. Here are some important considerations when it comes to using Google for symptom diagnosis:
- Not all information is accurate or up-to-date – While the internet can have a wealth of information, not all of the information is reliable or accurate. This can lead to inaccurate or outdated diagnoses or treatments, which could put you in a risky situation.
- You may be relying on opinion pieces – When searching on the internet, it’s easy to come across opinion pieces, which are not always factual, or written by medically qualified individuals. It’s important to ensure the information you’re relying on is from a reliable source.
- Luck of context - When looking into your symptoms online, you may provide too much information and lead to an inaccurate diagnosis due to lack of context. This ultimately puts you at risk if you’re not actually experiencing the issue you’ve diagnosed yourself with.
Ultimately, the safest way to find out what’s wrong is to visit a doctor, as they are qualified to make a correct diagnosis. While web-based research is a great resource, it shouldn’t be relied upon solely for diagnosis.
4. Tips for Using the Internet Wisely when Searching for Health Information
1. Evaluate Sources
Start by assessing the quality of the information that you are about to read. Look out for certain terms like “evidence-based” and “reviewed by experts”, as these indicate that information is from a trusted source. It’s also important to look out for information from reputable bodies such as official websites, healthcare organizations, and scientific and medical associations as they provide reliable and unbiased facts.
2. Be Wary of Health Claims
Be wary of information that makes sweeping claims about what is good or bad for your health, as it is likely to be exaggerated and not backed up by evidence. Also, be on the watch for information that is being used to promote a product. Always consider the motivation of the person who wrote the article or blog, and verify if their claims have any facts backing them up.
3. Reach out to Medical Professionals
It can be hard to know what the information you are reading online means for your health, so if you are concerned about a certain health issue, it is best to seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
4. Add to Your Knowledge base
Taking time to research a particular health issue is a great way to expand your knowledge and stay informed about relevant topics – however, it should never replace professional medical advice. Use reliable web-based resources and websites and be sure to cross-reference information you find online with other sources.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s important to be mindful of the common risks associated with using online symptom checkers and searching for symptoms on Google. While there are lots of helpful tools online, it’s always best to seek professional advice from a doctor or health practitioner so you can rest assured that you’re getting the best care possible.