Posted at: 11/11/2009 3:52 PM | WHEC.com
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Are you suffering from cyberchondria?
Has the internet become your backup doctor? Something you turn to when trying to diagnose every ache and pain? You may be putting yourself at risk for another condition: cyberchondria.
Cyberchondria is not an official medical term, it is what some experts use when talking about fears and anxiety surrounding common health symptoms after doing an internet search.
Researchers at Microsoft analyzed hundreds of thousands of web searches and conducted a survey of 500 of their employees.
They found 20 percent of web searches for basic conditions often led to a review of a serious illness. They also found people searching the word "headache" were just as likely to find web pages discussing brain cancer as they were to find web pages on caffeine withdrawal -- the most likely cause of their pain.
Nearly 25-percent of people said their web search "put them over the edge," and they made a doctor's appointment.
Experts say credible websites can provide helpful medical advice. For example, use websites that have an HON code seal located at the bottom of the page.
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