There is a whole load of information on the Internet these days. No matter what your question or query may be, you just need to type it into Google, and you can be sure that you will get an answer. Whether that answer is reliable or not is a completely different matter!
As there is a wealth of information on the Internet, there is no wonder that lots of people now turn to Dr. Google to diagnose their mysterious symptoms. But is this really the best method? After all, you can’t be sure that the health information you find online is backed up by scientific evidence. Plus, the chance that you misdiagnose your symptoms online is also quite high.
If you are tempted to look online to try and get to the bottom of your health issues, though, you should read on for some great tips. These will help you get to a safe and effective diagnosis.
Use A Health Search Engine
If you want some answers, your first port of call will probably be Google. However, this search engine will show you results from all over the web, some of which aren’t scientifically accurate. Instead, you need to turn to a specialist search engine that will show you only credible websites in its search results. One such search engine is Medline-Plus. This search engine is sponsored by the National Institute of Health and will only show results that have been curated by health professionals.
Speak To Online Doctors
There are lots of companies that aim to improve online health resources for the general public. Many of these offer various ways for customers to speak to doctors online. This might be through an online doctor app or an online video consultation. All you need to do is download the app or sign up for an online account so that you can talk to a doctor over the Internet whenever you need to. You will find that getting a consultation this way is a lot quicker than waiting for an appointment at your local doctor’s practice, and it might also work out cheaper.
Think About Symptoms Away From The Computer
Most of the time, people end up Googling their symptoms because they just want some reassurance. However, this often causes even more worry as they end up self-diagnosing themselves with a serious illness that they don’t have. If you do feel a bit worried about some symptoms, you should stay away from the computer and just chat to your partner or a close relative about them. They will be able to help calm you down and put your symptoms in perspective. The chances are that there isn’t anything seriously wrong with you, so there is no point working yourself up by going on the Internet.
Generally speaking, it is best to stay away from the Internet when you do feel ill. However, if you are desperate for some information, all of the above points should help you come to a safe and effective diagnosis.
