We all do it. In those moments where we feel tired and rundown, where we’ve suddenly developed pain in our knee post-workout, or where we are convinced that our headache could be as sinister as a brain tumour; we turn to Dr Google hoping to find out what’s really wrong with us.
“Is it heartburn or am I having a heart attack?”
– Google results: heart attack
– Most likely: heartburn
“Why do I always feel tired?”
– Google results: anaemia
– Most likely: overworked, excessive coffee, lack of sleep and exercise
“Why is my period late?”
– Google results: pregnant
– Most likely: hormonal imbalance or stress
According to CNN, Google released its annual list of health-related queries for 2018 and some of the burning topics most searched last year included the ketogenic diet, endometriosis, tiredness, heartburn and the symptoms of flu.
On the one hand, we are lucky enough to have the Internet overflowing with information at our fingertips – forget the olden days of going to a library and scouring books!
On the other hand, however, the search results may also, and in most cases, create an unnecessary and exaggerated cause for concern. Googling an upset stomach may suddenly put the idea of stomach cancer into your mind and the stress of this can leave you feeling worse.
So…is the internet really a good idea when it comes to researching your health symptoms? Is this information useful or is it detrimental to your mental wellbeing?
Cyberchondria – it’s a real thing!
A cyberchondriac is a person who compulsively searches the Internet for information about real or imagined health symptoms. For someone who is already a hypochondriac, the overload of this easily-available health information can be disastrous.
Self-diagnosis is a bad idea as Google will often lead you down that dangerous path of a ‘life-threatening’ condition when in reality your ailment is most likely something very common. And if your symptoms really are a cause for concern, you should make an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible.
The best thing to do? Stop Googling your symptoms and leave the diagnosis to a professional. Of course, that’s easier said than done, especially if you don’t want to wait for an appointment with your GP or if you can’t take the time off from work to visit your local practice.
How to Google your health symptoms
If you’re still going to consult with Dr Google, here are our tips on how to do it in the most sensible way possible.
1. Be wary of your sources
Anyone can publish content online, from starting a thread on a message board forum to writing a personal blog. Google will pair your symptoms’ search results to a website that has a lot of visitors as opposed to a source of information that is truly credible.
Stick to websites such as Top Doctors or the NHS, which uses information that has been properly researched and is written or verified by real doctors. Even if a webpage has correct medical information, it still does not mean that you have identified your particular problem.
There are many illnesses and conditions that may have the same or similar symptoms but it does not necessarily mean that it is what you have. Never assume the worst outcome!
2. Don’t just stop at one link
If you are determined to do your homework about what’s potentially wrong with you then don’t just look at the first link that appears at the top of your search results. It’s worth reading through several reputable websites to collect a balance of medical information. It may be worth checking many scientific articles that are accessible to patients too.
A paper or study from an academic journal on Google Scholar or PubMed may also give some clues as to what you’re experiencing. However, these are usually written for other medical professionals to read and the use of language may end up confusing you altogether!
3. Just because an article is in a medical journal – doesn’t make it right!
Even though it’s great to have access to a medical paper in online academic journals, the findings may no longer be relevant. It’s important to check the year that the article was published and whether the findings are outdated. Pay attention to the size of the study, if it was performed on humans or animals and if it was large-scaled, randomised or controlled.
4. Doctors spend years training and studying for a reason
Medicine is complicated. Depending on what a doctor chooses to specialise in, it can take over a decade to become a consultant. That’s a lot of studying, experience and training. Yet, how can this be overlooked by an online personality test that can give you a ‘diagnosis’ in three minutes as to whether you have a strong indication of ADHD, for example? Quite simply, it can’t! A doctor needs to examine you to make an assessment. They know what possibilities to consider and what to discount.
5. Don’t make a final medical decision based on Google
Don’t fall for websites that suggest you need to purchase a product to feel better. This includes any of those magical teas that can cure stomach problems or help those who are overweight to suddenly drop a stone! If you’re concerned enough to be researching your symptoms on the Internet and if they have been persistent for days, you really should have a consultation with a doctor.
If you do have something going on, don’t delay getting it seen to because of an ‘alternative’ treatment that you’ve found online first. You can always print out the material that you’ve found and discuss it with your doctor.
So, should we Google our health problems?
Whilst it can be tempting to Google potential health problems, it’s never a good idea to take things into your own hands and make a medical decision based on something that you’ve read on the Internet. Be conscious of whether you’re reading credible sources written by a professional and not just reading someone’s personal opinion.
Even if you do find a condition that matches what you’ve been experiencing, it really does not mean that this is what you have too. A doctor needs to make an assessment and give their professional opinion.
What can you do online instead?
Can’t take the time off work to visit your doctor? You can go one step further than just researching your health symptoms online (and living in unnecessary fear) by having a video call with a doctor from the comfort of your own home.
Thanks to evolving medical technology, you now can see a doctor online. Push Doctor enables you to connect with GPs for advice, prescriptions and referral letters. And Top Doctors’ e-Consultation service means you can have a chat with a private consultant via video conference about an area of your health that requires specialist attention. This could be from a therapy session with a psychiatrist to a follow-up appointment post-surgery with your orthopaedic surgeon, for example.
That’s right, you can eliminate any anxiety, discuss your problem and have a chat about whether you need to visit a doctor, through the use of your home or work computer.
With the way that technology is developing in the medical world, maybe there is some good in using the Internet when it comes to managing health concerns after all!
If you’re having any unusual health symptoms do not hesitate to book an appointment to see an expert, whether that’s online or at your local doctor’s practice.
