Dangers of "Dr Google" and Self-Diagnosis
Whenever we feel something unusual in our body, our first instinct is to search online.
- A sore throat? You search, “Is it throat cancer?”
- Shoulder pain? You ask, “Is right shoulder pain a sign of a heart attack?”
Even a simple headache can lead to pages talking about brain tumors.
72% of internet users have searched for health related topics online. That’s nearly 3 out of 4 people using Google or platforms like ChatGPT for self-diagnosis. But here’s the issue: Dr Google doesn’t know your medical history, your current condition, or your real symptoms. So, while it might mention worst-case scenarios, it doesn’t mean that’s your case.
Google & Chat GPT’s Are the Information Tools Not Diagnosis Tools
Is this Google’s fault? Definitely not. Google and ChatGPT are excellent reference-based tools.. It offers many great services. When we search for health issues on Google, it mentions things like “For informational purposes only. Please consult your local medical authority for health advice“. If you misunderstand and use it, you will start self-medicating and treating yourself. For fever, paracetamol, for headaches, aspirin. Using these medicines without knowing the correct reason will push you into big problems.
The Global Risk of Self-Medication: What the Data Says
The consequences of self-diagnosis and self-medication are much more serious than we think. Let’s look at some real-world data:
Antibiotic Resistance:
- According to Frontiers in Public Health (2021): 62% of antibiotics in developing countries are taken without a prescription.
- In India, a 2019 study by the Indian Journal of Pharmacology revealed: Over 47% of adults reported using antibiotics without medical advice.
This leads to:
- Antibiotic resistance, now considered one of the top 10 global health threats by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Delayed proper treatment.
- More severe complications from what could’ve been easily managed conditions.
Understanding Hypochondria and Cyberchondria
Do you know what Hypochondria is? It’s nothing more than a mental health condition where even small problems are feared as if they were a major illness.Some people fear that if someone in their town or around them has died from jaundice, they will die too if they get jaundice. No one dies from jaundice, but if it is left untreated or ignored, some serious complications can occur. This condition, which affects some people, is called hypochondria.
What is Cyberchondria? Nowadays, people have a new habit. If they have any health problems, they search for it on Google and ChatGPT. They are concerned about any problems that come up or if they are related to symptoms of a major illness. This condition of worrying about health problems is called cyberchondria. Both are more similar anxiety disorders.
Real-Life Impact
Let me share a true story,
- A man came to our clinic with a severely infected leg. He had started with simple muscle pain. But instead of seeing a doctor, he searched online, applied hot compresses, took painkillers without knowing the cause, and waited it out. By the time he came to us, the damage had worsened.
- A simple TT shot could’ve solved the issue earlier. Now, he needed long-term wound care and antibiotics and almost risked tissue damage that might’ve led to surgery.
- Unfortunately, this isn’t a rare case.
- According to India’s National Health Profile 2023, 27% of hospitalization cases in government hospitals were due to delayed primary care.
So, What’s the Smarter Approach?
Here’s what we should be doing:
- Use Google & ChatGPT for awareness, not for diagnosis.
- Don’t panic, worst-case scenarios are just possibilities, not probabilities.
- Never start medication without medical supervision.
- Trust science and expertise over search engines.
Final Thought: Your Body Isn’t a Website Search
Your health is not a puzzle for the internet to solve.Doctors study for years not just to know diseases, but to know how they show up differently in different people. No search result can replace that. So yes, learn from the internet. Be aware. Ask questions. But don’t let fear or convenience turn you into your own doctor. Sometimes, spending ₹300 on a consultation today can save you ₹30,000 in hospital bills tomorrow.
“Don’t be afraid of the doctor’s bill. Be afraid of the consequences of guessing wrong.”
