The Internet is Bad for Your Health
By TheIrishClog
@TheIrishClog (985)
Ireland
February 25, 2012 6:20pm CST
Aside from the fact that many of us tend to spend more time than we ought to sitting in front of our screens on a daily basis of course.
Self-diagnosis through the internet is not good for your blood pressure or stress levels. These days, the internet allows us all to have a quick search with our symptoms and instantly come to the worst possible conclusion - Are you guilty of this?
I know I am. I recently developed a sore in the roof of my mouth and within half an hour, Google had convinced me that I had mouth cancer! Turned out it was just that, a sore. I'd most likely injured the roof of my mouth or was a bit Vit C deficient or something, but at the time, it was definitely mouth cancer. I gave myself a migraine worrying about it.
So, are you guilty of self-diagnosing and coming to the worst conclusion? Fair enough, a percentage of the time, you're bound to be right in the diagnosis, I have been on occasion, but I'm looking for your worrying or funny stories about self-diagnosis through the web :)
2 people like this
10 responses
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
26 Feb 12
Not self diagnosis here as much as I look for something to argue with my doctor about.
He knows the minute he prescribes me anything that I am going to be researching it and calling him back to let him know why I am not going to take it and what else does he have in mind for me. He even tells me now not to research it before I leave and then he sighs and says..your going to anyway aren't you and I smile and say..yes..I have to make sure we are still on good terms and you aren't trying to rid the world of a very aggravating patient.
He knows the minute he prescribes me anything that I am going to be researching it and calling him back to let him know why I am not going to take it and what else does he have in mind for me. He even tells me now not to research it before I leave and then he sighs and says..your going to anyway aren't you and I smile and say..yes..I have to make sure we are still on good terms and you aren't trying to rid the world of a very aggravating patient.1 person likes this
@TheIrishClog (985)
• Ireland
26 Feb 12
I've been guilty of that on one or two occasions myself Jen. There are so many unwanted side effects from so many medications, I personally find it's a good idea to research your medication and the alternatives.
@almond24 (1248)
• Hungary
26 Feb 12
Yes, I'm guilty in this too. I kind of self-diagnosed myself through the internet, and it turned out that my problem was actually something more serious than I thought from the symptoms. I know I shouldn't do this, but if I go to the doctor and she can't say anything, of course I keep looking to figure out what the problem is.
I think the only time I was right about the "diagnosis" when my face became swollen because of a tooth. I found that I would probably need root canal treatment, and it was right.
1 person likes this
@TheIrishClog (985)
• Ireland
26 Feb 12
Glad you got your tooth sorted out, you were bound to be right at some point :)
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
26 Feb 12
Anything too much is bad so if you are engaging in surfing all day then it can strain your eyes and can lead to headache as well aside from making your body inactive so might just end up physically weak. I think we should always practice moderation in everything we do to avoid problem.
@TheIrishClog (985)
• Ireland
26 Feb 12
It is very true that many of us don't get enough exercise, spending too much time watching TV, surfing online and playing video games. I think as a whole this will result in a large portion of the current generation being much more unhealthy.
@polaroidsredwine (509)
• United States
26 Feb 12
Hoo boy, if I had a penny for every time someone claimed to have some horrible disease and followed up with, "I looked it up online!" I'd ... have a lot of pennies, actually.
Looking up symptoms on the internet can be helpful if you're unfamiliar with what ails you, but to diagnose it is a silly thing - rarely is it ever the worst possible thing. I confess I've jumped to conclusions a couple of times, but I've learned that usually I'm probably not as bad off as my research leads me to believe I am. I've learned it's probably more prudent to look up some way to help cure whatever I'm suffering from than to try and figure out the exact cause, and if it sticks around for too long then I'll start to worry and get it checked by a professional.
1 person likes this
@TheIrishClog (985)
• Ireland
26 Feb 12
I'm on par with you there polaroidsredwine. I know I'm not the only one guilty of jumping to conclusions despite knowing better deep down. You just can't help it sometimes. I've learned to remain calm and keep an open mind and if I think it's something serious I'll always go to the doctor.
@hunibani (720)
• Philippines
26 Feb 12
Internet is a good source of info, but generally yes internet is bad to our health hehe. For example I stayed infront of this screen longer! And my eyes are getting itchy, I get stress and I am not getting enough of sleep. And also computer can cause cancer LOL. And also the information you look in the internet for self-evaluation is stressing.
1 person likes this
@TheIrishClog (985)
• Ireland
26 Feb 12
Generally all round bad for our stress levels. Especially for those who tend to argue with others online in forums and get stressed over it haha.
@magester1 (148)
• Argentina
26 Feb 12
I'm afraid I can't provide you with any funny story.
Yes, I have done some self-diagnosis through the web, but they never got my full credibility. Why is that? Simply because I'm not qualified to recognize the symptoms.
Besides, internet tends to be full of nonsenses, you have to be careful with what you read.
1 person likes this
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
26 Feb 12
I think alot of information you can find on the internet is based on opinion and not fact.Facts are proven. I do look up problems of mine to get some sort of idea, til I can see a dactor, and I've been wrong pretty much everytime. It's a relief to be wrong about a health issue. I thought I had cancer,because I was losing my hair by the handfuls.turn out that it was because I was using a cheap low quality shampoo.It dried my scalp and made my hair come out.My scalp intensely itched. I was glad I was wrong, I was stressed out over the worry. LOL....
1 person likes this
@TheIrishClog (985)
• Ireland
26 Feb 12
I agree, it is largely based on opinion. I have managed to get it right a few times, but never anything serious thank God.
Glad it turned out to be just shampoo for you! The stress does even more harm.
1 person likes this
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
26 Feb 12
true we should not take treatment by going thro internet postings. internet is bad because it makes us sit before the computer most part of the day. Self diagnosis should not done.
for problems liken leg cramp -- internet gives suggestion like drink more water. these things are useful
1 person likes this
@TheIrishClog (985)
• Ireland
26 Feb 12
True, for minor ailments that we know we have anyway, we can find useful information and solutions.
@craziestqueenever (1819)
• Philippines
26 Feb 12
I can relate with this situation. I used to self-diagnose myself every time I had some feelings unusual in my body, but as a Nurse I make sure that I have to verify if want I've been feeling is correct. We have to consult our Physician first. Too much information can affect your health.
1 person likes this
@beenice2 (2967)
• Sackville, New Brunswick
26 Feb 12
Sometime the less you know the better you feel. Like yes if you self-diagnose yourself with something that you is the worse well, for sure your blood pressure through the roof, make yourself scared, but let say if you know yourself well enough it might be easier to say wait a minute.
1 person likes this
