LIFESTYLE NEWS - While there’s nothing wrong with occasionally turning to the internet when you’re experiencing a health problem or symptom you’re concerned about - almost all of us do that.
Health experts report both positive and negative effects from patients who compulsively self-diagnose through online search results.
According to the online Oxford Dictionary, “cyberchondria” is the term used for “a person who compulsively searches the internet for information about particular (real or imagined) symptoms of illness”.
Here’s what health experts have to say on the subject, written in collaboration with Hippo.co.za.
Interpreting symptoms
Dr Owen Wiese, Health24’s resident GP, says quick access to health information is incredibly beneficial in modern medicine and has radically changed the way doctors treat patients.
“This, however, becomes problematic when patients interpret symptoms based on information found online,” he adds.
To see his list of the common symptoms that make people worry, have a look at 'How Health Experts Feel About Your Self Diagnosis'.
Finding an accurate diagnosis
Aliya Holland of Nature’s Choice says finding an accurate diagnosis for something as vague as ‘stomach pain’ or ‘indigestion’ can be quite tricky online.
Dr Owen Wiese adds that “any physical symptom can be a cause of concern for a patient.
Even a simple fever may be interpreted as possible meningitis or even a case of blood septicaemia”.
Because there is a possibility of not getting an accurate diagnosis online, it is much safer to take advantage of your Medical Aid to go and see a professional.
Final thoughts
Chair of the Australian Medical Association Council of General Practice, Dr Brian Morton, says that looking up a health symptom online isn’t an unreasonable practice in this era, but it’s more about the steps you take after that.
He adds that turning to the internet to search for information doesn’t replace seeing a doctor, but it can provide guidelines to help you make more fitting decisions on whether you need to consult a professional or not.
With one in 20 Google searches being health related, the major search engines are doing all they can to lead self-diagnosers to robust, accurate results, rather than sites that simply feed on an individual’s anxiety about their wellbeing.
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