Turning to the internet is often our go-to when diagnosing ourselves, but could we be doing more harm than good? Vicky Warrell investigates…
It’s 1am, and my laptop screen is the only source of light in my room as I furiously type my symptoms into the online search bar. Searching for ‘racing heart’ brings up cardiac arrest, while the ‘pain in my left side’ is obviously a ruptured spleen – the thought of how this might have happened while I’m sitting in bed doesn’t even cross my mind as my brain begins to whirl in panic. The next day, I take myself to my GP, only to discover that my medical emergency is in fact a urinary tract infection which, although serious, can be easily treated with antibiotics and is not going to land me in the ICU. Does this sound familiar? In fact, research by FutureYou revealed that three quarters of us Brits search our symptoms online – so is it actually that bad? I asked top doctors to find out how problematic our late night trawling really is…
Why do we do it?
It’s so easy, when discovering a new symptom, to immediately head to the internet. It’s often because we’re too embarrassed by the issue to seek help, as research by StressNoMore showed that some of the most searched for health concerns are ‘how to treat piles’, ‘what causes constipation?’ and ‘why do I pee when I cough?’. However, another obstacle is that we’re worried about wasting our doctor’s time, especially during this period when we’re being told to do everything we can to protect the NHS – GP appointments are down 30 percent this year, largely due to the pandemic. Keep in mind that the NHS is still open, and your doctor is still available to see you if you have a concern, even if it is virtually rather than in person.
How reliable is the net?
Not very, it turns out. New research by Edith Cowan University has revealed that online symptom checkers are only accurate about a third of the time. “We should have access to safe and reliable information, which is all over the internet, but with every legitimate website, you have a heap of questionable health advice out there too,” says Dr Sarah Welsh, gynaecology doctor and co-founder of women’s intimate wellness brand Hanx (hanxofficial.com). “Some sources that appear on your search can be entirely inaccurate and are not being published by medical professionals with the credentials or experience to offer advice on whatever the topic is.”
Could it be dangerous?
“Searching your symptoms is one of the worst things you can do because, in most cases, the information presented to you will be inaccurate and will also present the worst case scenarios, which of course will leave you feeling nervous and anxious when you needn’t be,” says Dr Giuseppe Aragona, medical advisor at Prescription Doctor (prescriptiondoctor.com). “It could also promote feelings of depression. This is especially true because many symptoms overlap and so what may be a symptom of a serious medical condition is also a symptom of something very minor. It’s important that, rather than worrying, you book a visit with your GP at your earliest convenience.”
There are other issues besides cyberchondria, too. “One problem we see is patients who turn to social media to try to do the right exercises to resolve their pain, and in some cases end up making the problem worse,” says consultant physiotherapist Tim Allardyce (firstcontactpractitioner.org.uk). “There are thousands of solutions online to help reduce pain, but without the guidance and support of a physiotherapist, results may be poor. Working with a physiotherapist to address the reason why you have pain is considered a good step to recovery, and helps reduce misinformation that could be picked up online.”
Can online ever be helpful?
After all this, you may be thinking it’s wise to steer clear of the internet but, as Dr Clare Morrison, GP and consultant at online pharmacy medexpress.co.uk explains, the internet can be very useful. “There is a place for looking things up and learning more about our health,” she says. “The NHS website is particularly useful for getting up-to-date, impartial advice.” Dr Welsh agrees, but recommends looking into where you’re getting your information from. “Educate yourself regarding your health by consulting reputable sources, including health professionals,” she says. “Be sure to research the brand or source you are getting your information from. For example, who is the article written by, is it a registered medical professional or someone who is qualified to give advice and knows the topic? Or is it somebody with another agenda?”
When should we seek help?
“If your symptoms are severe or persistent, do seek a professional opinion,” says Dr Morrison. “This is particularly advisable if the symptoms are getting worse, or suggest the possibility of serious illness. Examples include difficulties with breathing or swallowing, chest or abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss or abnormal bleeding. If in doubt, contact your GP.” Worried they’re not taking you seriously? “You can book another appointment with a different GP,” says Dr Ross Perry, GP and medical director of Cosmedics (cosmedics.co.uk). “Take some notes with you on what it is you want to discuss, ask questions and try to provide a full and concise explanation. If you don’t understand something, ask for further information. Keep calm and civil and take your time. Taking pictures along with you or providing a timeline of symptoms can also help.” Turning to the internet is so easy, but if I’d waited to see my doctor rather than let my thoughts (and searches) spiral out of control, I could’ve saved myself some serious anxiety, as well as a sleepless night.
What’s the problem?
Firstly, searching your symptoms online is unlikely to reveal what the actual issue is, or if there even is one. “It’s unlikely that, if you type in your symptoms, your diagnosis will come up, but rather you’ll see a load of worrying conditions that you don’t actually have,” says Dr Welsh. “If this is the case, you may become understandably anxious, convince yourself you have a worrying condition and book a panicked appointment with the doctor. This can lead to unnecessary visits to the doctor and wasted NHS money. What’s more, because not all results are credible, this makes matters more complicated by causing panic. It happens so frequently these days that we have a name for it: cyberchondria.”
On the other hand, you could misdiagnose something that actually is serious. “This could lead to false reassurance, and a lack of necessary treatment,” says Dr Morrison. “And, even if the online descriptions are accurate, they rarely convey the relative likelihood of certain conditions occurring. For example, shoulder pain can be caused by bone cancer, but it’s much more likely to be caused by a pulled muscle or tendon. Rare illnesses will be listed along with common ones, making it difficult to get a sense of perspective.”
Searching your symptoms can also become compulsive. “The longer you spend reading endless articles about a condition, the more you will worry, and the more you will search for ‘information’ online,” warns Dr Morrison. “This can become an endless cycle of reading and worrying. Diagnosing yourself makes it very hard to be objective. Even doctors find it hard to be rational when diagnosing themselves or their loved ones. A third party, such as your GP, will be able to give a balanced view, without the complication of being personally involved.”
