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Internet Diagnosis
February 24, 2009 |
Self diagnosis through the internet could prove to be problematic for a number of
reasons. The information you find may not be credible. You may not be translating
the symptoms the same way a doctor would. Even worse, you may not take your symptoms
seriously.
Dr. Roldolfo Perez-Gallardo, a family practice physician with Lee Memorial Health
System says, “We have unfortunately those cases where the patient felt that they
had heartburn and they actually had chest pains related to coronary artery disease and this is a condition that can kill people.”
Dr. Perez adds the internet is a great educational tool but it’s not the final answer.
“The healthy patient understands better their symptoms but in no way should be used
for a formal diagnosis,” says Perez. It’s important to take the information you
find online that you’ve self-diagnosed to your doctor to see if you might be close.
“That information should be brought to your physician or medical provider who can
use that information toward establishing a final diagnosis through the physical
examination, history taken, and laboratory data review.”
There is so much information on the World Wide Web that you want to be sure you
see your physician before coming to conclusions.
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