Wrong diagnoses by Dr. med. Google

Symptoms and Diseases by Dr. med. Search Google: Every fourth woman suffers from misdiagnosis

23/04/2012

Many people consult the Internet for health complaints to get an initial assessment. But the self-search at „Dr. Google“ often leads to a wrong diagnosis, according to a British study. According to the internet research, about one in four women make a false self-diagnosis and subsequently buy the wrong medication, reports the English magazine „Daily Mail“. It is not uncommon for women to suffer from significant side effects of their misdiagnosis over a longer period, in addition to their original symptoms, according to the study.

Symptoms and Diseases: The Internet as a focal point
The Internet is the first port of call for most health complaints today. In self-search, those affected try „Dr. Google“ to identify and interpret their symptoms. However, this often goes wrong. For example, a study conducted in the UK on behalf of a Women's Health Brand found that one in four women had already made a false diagnosis based on the search results, she said „Daily Mail“. Partly with fatal consequences. Around one in ten women suffered long-term misdiagnosis. According to the symptom search on the Internet also involves risks. The most common misdiagnoses that are made following the internet research include breast cancer, vaginal yeast infections, high blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, depression, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases and thyroid diseases. The misdiagnosis based on the information from „Dr. Google“ In about 20 percent of the more than 1,000 surveyed study participants, the result was that for a long time they were even afraid of suffering from a really serious illness. Conversely, bacterial vaginal infections of women in self-diagnosis are often confused with fungal infections and thus underestimated.

Shame and long waiting times
Although most sufferers are well aware of the uncertainties of self-diagnosis, symptom searching on the Internet is becoming increasingly popular. Reasons given in the British study on the one hand, the long waiting for an appointment with the doctor and on the other the shame on certain diseases. Many look for suspected a fungal infection in the vaginal area rather briefly after Google than to entrust a doctor. The consequences are often significantly misjudgments, because without the medical expertise, the description of the symptoms on the Internet can often not be interpreted correctly. Although a description can be found on every symptom and illness on the Internet, a correct diagnosis is usually always required by a doctor. The symptom description „Dr. Google“ can serve here only the initial assessment and should replace the doctor's visit in any case. The symptoms women are looking for on the Internet include sleep disorders, headaches, depression, anxiety, muscle spasms, stomach cramps, chronic muscle aches, fatigue, dizziness, and itching (often associated with parts of the body such as the itchy vagina). (Fp)

Picture: Corinna Dumat