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Medical Diagnosis Online

By Chris Ann Cleland

Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

December 14, 2008 03:38 AM

I think to live longer, we should all vow to NOT search online for what ails us. I'm serious.

Whenever I search for an illness, or symptoms online, I am ready to dig my grave. There it is, the worst case scenario...which is also the least likely scenario. But it's online. It's got to be true, right?

After a wasted trip to my family doctor earlier this year, I was given the only credible source that my doctor believes online. www.familydoctor.org. You see, I had searched online for the numbness and tingling I was experiencing in my calf. It was an area the size of a quarter. After reading a bunch of medical stuff online, I was convinced I had a blood clot and was most certainly headed for a pulmonary embolism if I didn't seek medical attention.

The good doctor sympathized with my "high alert" attitude, but then told me I was not to look online for medical advice anymore, UNLESS I went to www.familydoctor.org. In his words, "The internet will give you a heart attack if you don't know where to go for credible advice."

So there it is, my Christmas gift to you all. A credible medical website to help diagnose all that ails you.

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Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Hahahha, like you, Chris Ann, when I read about an illness and its symptoms, naturally I decide I've got it. What I really enjoy, though, are those diagrams, the ones with the boxes that ask you a question and then direct you to the next box based on your answer. After I've finished mapping my way, then I'm absolutely 100% confident I've got whatever the disease is. :)

Dec 14, 2008 06:13 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Elizabeth: I know exactly what you are talking about. Medical diagnoses should be left to professionals.

Dec 14, 2008 07:37 AM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

I completely agree. The Internet is a bonanza for any and all hypochondriacs out there (including some of my friends!)

Dec 15, 2008 01:07 AM

Russell: And if you aren't a hypochrondriac, the Internet will surely turn you into one.

Dec 15, 2008 02:09 AM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Chris, I tried that once! Now, I'm pretty healthy, or at least I thought I was! I'll try this site - if doctors like it, it could be OK.

Dec 15, 2008 10:57 AM

Patricia: I used it and it is definitely more on the tame side. My imagination didn't run wild.

Dec 15, 2008 11:28 AM

Karen Kruschka

RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA

- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Chris Ann, I can't imagine a doctor recommending an online site - I think I'd be inclined to find a new doctor, Karen

Dec 15, 2008 11:52 AM

Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Chris Ann: I would tend to agree with you. It is so easy when something is wrong with me to find some horror story on some website that convinces me that my entire leg will fall off... or some other such horrible thing. Life can be scary enough without asking for trouble. Take care... hope you are well...

Dec 15, 2008 05:14 PM

Mary Strang

Viroqua, WI

Chris Ann, Funny, I just had a similar conversation with my doctor, he told me that many come into his office half scared from reading on-line medical information. I told him I bet it made his job harder, since we deal with all the on-line information too over at the FSBO sites and such.

Dec 15, 2008 11:27 PM

Mary: That's so true. The internet is full of misinformation in all fields.

Dec 16, 2008 02:28 AM

Karen: It was recommended as "If you HAVE to go online, try this site. It was put together by a group of family physicians." I love my new doctor. He isn't one to throw pharmaceuticals at everything. He is very down to earth and tries to find solutions without drugs when he can. My last doctor gave me something to swallow every time I was in to see him. And my appointments were delayed by more than 30 minutes by his meeting with a pharmaceutical rep more than once. It was time to switch.

Dec 16, 2008 02:34 AM

Karen Anne; The internet is a devilish thing. Wouldn't know what to do without it these days.

Dec 16, 2008 02:35 AM

Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer

Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Reminds me of one of the comedians on the Comedy Channel who was talking about Wikepedia:

The great thing about Wikepedia is that anyone can enter information. The worst thing about Wikepedia is that anyone can center information.

I think it's the same regarding just about anything. Just because someone has an avocation and enough money to create a web site for that avocation doesn't mean that it's the site you want to visit if you need information about that subject.

I bet the 80/20 rule works here:

80% of the web sites about any specific subject matter have little snippets of valuable information, but you have to know how to separate the weeds from the grass.
20% of the web sites about any specific subject matter have been set up by professionals in that industry and can be relied on for appropriate information.

Dec 16, 2008 06:13 AM

Russel: I saw that comedian. I can't remember who though. But you are probably right. The 80/20 rule is very likely an internet truth as well.

Dec 16, 2008 06:35 AM

Chris Olsen

Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH

Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

I just bookmarked it Chris Ann, thank you. There is a big difference between "data" and "information" or "opinions" versus "advice."

Dec 21, 2008 06:49 AM

Chris: I trust a doctor to give me good medical information sites, just as the public should trust Realtors for good real estate information sites.

Dec 21, 2008 12:59 PM

Medical Diagnosis Online

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