This is an interesting article courtesy of Greatist Daily, so we thought we’d share (we like to mix things up a little).
The Greatest Daily reports…
Who hasn’t relied on the great wisdom of the web for health info? But if searching for headache causes has ever result in the suggestion of a brain tumor, you probably know the web can be less than reliable. For some, hypochondria and access to the Internet’s wealth of (mis)information result in cyberchondria, or excessive health anxiety caused by online searches.
But the Internet doesn’t have to be all bad. Instead of relying on Google from the start, head to the computer only after talking to a doctor. They have a better understanding of risk factors, like family history, while the web can provide additional information on drugs or alternative treatments. Regardless, when heading to the screen, government and university-sponsored sites tend to be the most reliable resources.
The Takeaway: The Internet can be a powerful educational resource but should always be considered secondary to a professional’s opinion.
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