The Dangers of Diagnosing Online
Sue Hubbard, M.D.
Here I am on the Internet writing about the dangers of diagnosing yourself or your children via information on the Web. The Internet is a valuable resource; I can't remember what I used to do before I could "Google" something for a quick answer. You don't need a phone book or even a map anymore, with so much information available online. When it comes to medicine, however, there's still nothing as effective and reliable as seeing a doctor in person and having a physical exam.
The hazards of using the Internet as your own medical textbook can be great. The Internet is a resource, not a doctor. As Sir
I often tell parents and patients to use the Internet as an adjunct once a diagnosis has been made. The Internet may be a great resource to provide further information about a specific problem or disease. But when searching online, make sure you're using a resource backed by good research and one that is reputable and reliable.
Many postings on the web can be anecdotal rather than factual, and there are no requirements when it comes to posting information. In other words, you don't have to go to medical school and get a degree to "publish" on the Internet.
I sometimes see a worried parent in my office, whose child may have awakened during the night with a "tummy ache." Despite the fact that the child had already gone back to sleep, the parents stayed up searching the Internet for information on "abdominal pain."
Due to their Internet "research," the parents have convinced themselves that their child must have appendicitis, and by morning they're convinced that testing is warranted (of course, they read every blog about "missed appendicitis"). The child may have had no other symptoms than that "tummy ache," slept the rest of the night, awakened feeling just fine, ate breakfast and was plainly ready for the day. Yet, the parents appear in my office, often 8-12 hours later, asking for more tests and planning for imminent surgery. They've scared themselves into wanting CAT scans and ultrasounds to "make sure" nothing is missed.
A good review of the child's history and physical exam is often all that's needed in the case of the "mystery midnight tummy ache." The only thing that came of that Internet research is that the parent had 12 hours of a tummy ache worrying about obscure diagnoses rather than heading back to bed themselves.
So, beware of using the Internet for research without knowing what you're researching. Always use reputable web sites and check out the credentials of those providing information. Beware of people or companies providing information that are not in the mainstream and don't provide valid scientific research to back their claims for a "cure." When in doubt, ask your own doctor. I am sure he or she will have an opinion on the pros and cons of online diagnosing.
Dr.
Available at Amazon.com:
- The Dangers of Diagnosing Online
- Child's Height at Age 2 May Predict Adult Height
- A Parent's Guide to Coughs
- Team up With Schools to Fight Flu Season
- Family Dinners Help Fight Obesity
- Don't Take Hollywood's Advice on Treating Kids With Head Lice
- Determine Cause of Child's Lack of Growth Before Considering Hormones
- Teach Your Kids to Stress Less
- Common Food Allergies in Kids
- Healthy Lunches Your Kids Will Love Recipe
- Teens' Chronic Headaches Often Fade With Time
- Anxiety Before New School Year is Common for Many Children
- Childhood Obesity From a Holistic Perspective
- Whooping Cough Continues to Affect People of All Ages
- Keep Your Athletes Hydrated On and Off the Field
- Drink Up! Avoiding Dehydration
- How to Stop Your Baby's Wheezing and Prevent Asthma
- Fighting Drugs With the Power of Sleep
- Milk: When the First Food May Be the Best Food
- Introducing New Foods to Your Child
- Coping With Altitude Sickness
- Protecting the Future Health of Our Boys
- The Power of Persuasion: Food Marketing Really Does Work
- Fighting Childhood Obesity From a Holistic Perspective
- Congress Must Act Now to Alleviate Child Hunger
- Exercise for Kids: 5 Tips for Parents
- Too Much Screen Time for Kids Means Poorer Health
- Nutrition May Be Key to Helping Control ADHD
- Foods to Reduce Allergy and Asthma Symptoms in Kids
- Toddler With Recurring Ear Infections May Benefit From Tubes
- Prevent and Treat Summer Rashes
- Enjoy Breakfast as a Family
- Sick Day TLC
- When to Call the Doctor
- Sunscreen Facts You Need to Know
- Asthma and Allergies Can Run in Families
- Salivary Gland Stones Rare But Not Unheard of in Children
- How Much Vitamin D is Enough
- Tick-Borne Disease Risk Peaks in Spring and Summer
- Are Carbonated Drinks Bad for Bones?
- The Threat of Childhood Obesity
- Secrets to Breathing Better With Allergies
- What's the Right Amount of Vitamin C
- Get the Lead Out: The Less Exposure to This Toxic Metal the Better
- Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sugar
Copyright © 2010 The Kids Doctor. All rights reserved.