It used to be that when we were sick – or something was bothering us physically – we went to the doctor. However, for many today, the doctor’s opinion takes second place to the Internet…Welcome Dr. Google!!!

Using the Internet to look into medical conditions comes with its pros and cons, which can benefit or harm us depending on how much we depending on the information that we find.

On the pro side of the discussion, anytime we want to search for information, so that we can be more informed, that is a positive thing. When it comes to your health, especially with heart disease, cancer, or chronic health issues, the more informed you are, the better able you are to do things to better your health. In addition to being more informed, looking for medical information on the Internet is a positive thing because:

You can decide whether you condition is one that requires immediate medical attention or whether it is okay to wait a couple of days to see the doctor
You can learn important information – or questions to ask – when and if you need to see the doctor
You can find information on unusual conditions at a time that is convenient to you
Information that is up-to-date and
You may be able to find organizations or support groups, which can help you connect with others who can understand you because they are fighting the same disease
Although these pros are quite encouraging, there are also some cons associated with getting medical information in this way. They include the following:
You can learn information that can upset you, making you even more paranoid about the symptoms you are having
There are many physical symptoms that can be indicative of a variety of medical conditions. For example: joint pain can be a symptom of lupus or rheumatoid arthritis or the flu… or just from a weekend of doing too many home repair projects. Just because you have one or two symptoms connected to a particular disorder, that does not mean you have that specific problem – it could be something else entirely;
When self-diagnosing using information found on the Internet, we may misdiagnose ourselves. It really requires a doctor to look at your symptoms as a whole, to determine which disease or disorder you might have – if any at all;
You can’t believe everything you read, as anyone can create a website – even those trying to sell a “miracle cure” of some sort; and
You might come across images or stories that disturb you while researching your symptoms, something that may upset you. Sometimes these images or stories do not have anything to do with the condition in which you are researching.

When comparing the pros and cons regarding “Dr. Google,” you can see the benefits of online medical research, while hopefully understanding that it does need to be completed carefully, so that you are not misinformed. It is also important to ensure that you do not misdiagnose yourself as well.

Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that most of the medical websites have a disclaimer at the bottom of their pages, stating that what you are reading is for research purposes only. Information found on the Internet should not be used as your sole source of medical information. Website information is not meant as a substitute for treatment or medical advice from a doctor or other healthcare provider. If you keep this in mind, you can research your symptoms more safely on the Internet.

So, when you are looking online for information for the symptoms you are experiencing, keep the following tips in mind:

If you find information on one site, do not assume that this one site have accurate information. Look for the same information to be repeated on more than one site. For example, if you read on one site that sleeping upside down in a cure for a sinus infection, do not try doing it if you cannot find that information anywhere else on the Internet. There are many people out there making sites for their personal benefit only – and you have to be careful not to believe everything you read.
Use the information you find to develop a list of questions that you should ask your physician. The more questions you ask, the better informed you can be. Additionally, since doctors are often over-booked, they may forget to tell you something unless you ask.
DO NOT use the information you find as the ONLY diagnosis for what you are experiencing. The Internet is a great resource for information, but it is not a trained medical professional – and you should not treat your symptoms based only on what you found on the Internet. Some of the “cures” you can read about could actually harm you if you do not have the condition that you think you have. So, do your research, stay informed, and open a line of communication with your doctor or other medical professional.

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