With the introduction of the Internet more and more people are foregoing  a visit to the doctor’s when they have a medical question. For many, this form of self-medication through online articles works and no harm is done, but for others there may be serious complications and disease oversights.

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But who doesn’t want to save a few dollars when it comes to health care? For that reason, and for the sake of convenience, self-medicating and self-diagnosing through the Internet will likely never go away. And if you don’t have the Internet to ask, chances are you’d still get medical advice from somewhere other than a paid professional.

So how do you keep yourself as safe as possible when browsing the Internet looking for medical advice? Here are some of the top suggestions brought to you by Saludify:

• Wikipedia: You can’t deny the value of Wikipedia, and when it comes to a concise resource for information, you’re probably going to accurate details when you visit the website. When it comes to medical advice, however, think twice before you use this site. According to a report, published in the The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, nine out of 10 public-edited Wikipedia articles on common medical conditions contained factual errors when compared to peer-reviewed resources. That’s because Wikipedia remains a website where the public contributes information?almost anyone can apply to become an editor.
• Blogs: There are many websites out there that are blogs masquerading as legitimate health resources. What this means is that someone, somewhere decided to create a website journal where they document their own experiences with certain medical conditions or medical treatments. Thanks to customizable website templates, many of these blogs can look like professional health sites. Before you take someone’s medical advice, make sure to look at their credentials and see if they cite accurate and reputable case studies.
• Product advertisers: Another way people get fooled by medical advice is through websites trying to sell or promote a medical product/service. Many of these websites build up their product or the medical procedure, giving only the good information and none of the bad. For example, a website promoting the use of medical marijuana may list all of the studies supporting the product but none of those cautioning about side-effects.
• Forums: Forums are a great place for people with medical issues to meet other people with similar troubles; however, keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another. While it is okay to swap ideas with people who have “been there, done that” when it comes to a medical condition, take medical advice in these arenas with some skepticism. Not everyone on the Internet is honest, and while you wouldn’t think someone would go into a forum just to give inaccurate information, things like that happen all the time. In fact, a recent report indicated computer hackers can now take over life-saving medical monitors in hospitals, deliberately causing them to malfunction. If someone would do such a thing, the same kind of people would have no issue putting out unreliable medical advice.
• Celebrity doctors: It’s okay to be a Dr. Mercola or a Dr. Oz advocate, but remember that these individuals and others like them use the medical business as a money maker. Dr. Joseph Mercola, for example, has received at least three warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to stop making illegal health claims about the efficacy of certain products. Dr. Oz recently came under scrutiny for promoting a weight loss supplement he promoted.

So what information can you rely on?

While it always pays to be wary of the medical information on the Internet, the ALS Association makes the following recommendations for Internet searchers:

First, the following sites have been acknowledged to provide accurate and reliable medical information:

The ALS Association – www.alsa.org

WebMD – www.webmd.com

Healthfinder – www.healthfinder.gov

MayoClinic.com – www.mayoclinic.com

Prevention.com – www.prevention.com

Second, when visiting a health website, check the following:

1. The purpose of the web site should be clearly stated.
2. The authors of the material must be identified. Look for the authors’ credentials. Is the author a physician, nurse or other health care professional?
3. The owner of the web site and the organization with which the author is affiliated should be identified with contact information.
4. Beware of health web sites that appear to be trying to sell something.
5. If the web site quotes material from another source, the appropriate credit should be given.
6. The date of publication should be clearly posted. Make sure the information you are reading is current.
7. The web site should have a clearly stated privacy and security policy, especially if you are disclosing personal information.

When in doubt, always check with a local doctor about symptoms you are having. Something as seemingly minor as a cough could be the warning sign of a chronic disease.

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