There's a new condition -- maybe you've heard of it or maybe not. You decide if you suffer from it. Cyberchondria. Essentially, cyberchondria is the tendency to look up your symptoms on the Internet and self-diagnose. Don't get me wrong. Computers are great -- there's a wealth of information on any given topic. But online health information is no substitute for an evaluation by your doctor.
There was a great article about this in the Las Vegas Review Journal on February 22, 2009. The original source of the article was the Orlando Sentinel. The article struck a cord with me. A couple of years ago, I convinced myself I had fibromyalgia to go along with my longtime rheumatoid arthritis. Long story short -- when I discussed my theory with my rheumatologist it turned out I was just experiencing a flare of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms -- no fibromyalgia. The newspaper article goes even deeper into the problem. People are looking up symptoms that are typically associated with minor ailments (for example, a tension headache) and are led to information about serious, even fatal conditions (brain tumors). As they begin to worry and obsess over the possibilities, people are too often convincing themselves they have the more serious condition.
At one of the urgent care centers in Florida, a doctor examined a boy brought in by his mother because she was convinced he had a cancerous leg tumor. The spot on his leg turned out to be a hardened, blob of grape jelly. I think I've made my point now by re-telling that story. Be cautious with your Internet searches and use the information appropriately. Don't bypass the advice of your doctor. Talk to your doctor about all of your concerns. I'm making a point of following my own advice on this one!
Related Resources:
- 7 Misconceptions About Arthritis
- 10 Most Common Arthritis Mistakes
- Patient Education - Can You Know Too Much?
- The Importance of Patient Satisfaction
- Sharing Internet Health Information With Your Doctor, from Trisha Torrey (About.com Guide to Patient Empowerment)
Share Your Advice and Experiences in Our Online Forums:
Subscribe Today to Our Free Newsletters:
Photo by Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo (stock.xchng)
Hi — I am laughing WITH the people in this story and at myself. I’ve convinced myself I’ve had several problems over the years doing self-diagnosis on the web. The last time was when I decided I had temporal arteritis. My doctors were kind and my rheumy said he’d be glad to take a biopsy if i really wanted him to, but he didn’t think I had it. He explained some more of the complex symptoms and I realized how goofy I was being. So I swore off the web sites for diagnosis and try to use them only for more information about something the doctor already told me!
Hi how are u all
I suffer from arthritis on my nceck what kind of medicen can help me is Neurobion tablet helps me and what if i have highpersentive is that good.
I suffer from Arthritis on my neck what kind of medicine can help me is Neurobion tablet help me