We asked our doctor Jyoti Upadhyay, ER Physician to share her opinion about people searching for symptoms online and related questions & here is what she had to say:
1)What is the opinion within the medical fraternity about people searching for symptoms online?
80% of internet users look up health information online at some time or the other. But the amount of information that is available online for any given symptom is so vast that it can turn any person into an e-hypochondriac. This information cannot replace the examination and diagnosis by an expert. Also symptoms and disease forms vary from person to person and a slight variance in presentation can lead to a different diagnosis
2) What are the dangers associated with it?
The person invariably will keep thinking about all the possibilities that might be described and keep linking the symptoms to various diseases. The uncertainty will not only make the symptoms worse as they keep searching but also can cause a full blown nervous breakdown.The obsession with finding new studies to self-diagnose is unhealthy.
3)Do we have any examples of patients who took online assistance and ended up either underestimating the problem or the other way around?
There are examples of both varieties day in and day out.
4)Has internet in anyway helped in creating awareness or do the advantages far outweigh the risks?
Yes definitely,there is no denying the benefits of internet. There is always lots to learn about the various aspects of the disease once diagnosed and confirmed by a physician.There are various forums where patients having similar symptoms get together and share their experiences and what has been beneficial to them.
It has also created awareness about beneficial diet,exercise and how to prevent diseases.
Suggestions:
- Only search trusted websites
- Look for solutions,not problems
- Be specific
- Don’t share your worries on message boards
- Only use the internet after a doctor’s visit
Dr.Jyoti Upadhyay
Specialist Internist
ER physician
Aster Hospital, Mankhool
