Many Seeking Medical Advice Online

By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Doctors may not make house calls anymore, but that doesn't mean you can't find information from home.

According to a study conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, the number of adults turning to the Internet for health information has nearly doubled, just in the past two years. However, the next time you're sick you may not want to look on the Internet at all.

For some people looking to the Internet for information on their sickness could exacerbate their symptoms and cause unnecessary worries. One doctor referred to a growing culture of hypochondria. The Internet can be a wonderful tool, but not for everybody, all the time.

Cari Green has three healthy children, minus a peanut allergy and an occasional cold. But, when symptoms flare she logs online.

"It immediately sends me into a mother panic, thinking the worst, this is what it is," Green said.

And she's certainly not alone. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project study, the number of adults who go to the Internet for medical advice has shot up from 31 percent to nearly 60 percent since 2006. Doctors say it's leading to anxiety and faulty self-diagnosis.

"If a patient has a headache and they get on the Web sites that talks about the various diagnoses that could cause a headache they shouldn't automatically assume that they've got a brain tumor, or if they have chest pain that they automatically are having a heart attack," Norman Regional Health System Family Physician Dr. Stephen Lindsey said.

But, Dr. Lindsey believes the Internet can be helpful.

"If patients take the information with a grain of salt, and they understand that that's a good starting place," Dr. Lindsey said.

He advises families, and mothers like Cari Green to slow down and think the symptoms and information through. Green believes she's learned that lesson, so that what started as a sniffle with her children doesn't turn into a visit to the E.R.

"Normally just a hug, a little dose of Tylenol, usually cures it all," Green said.

The study also revealed that although Internet use is growing, most people are still also seeking information from health professionals and advice from family and friends.

On a positive health note, Internet users are also reporting a surge of interest in information about exercise and fitness.