Trend: Do you consult the Internet for health advice before your doctor?

I’m pretty sure most of us regularly use Google to search for the answers to things such as geography and pop culture questions, but do we trust the Internet enough to consult it for health advice? For many the answer is yes, with one in four women having misdiagnosed and mistreated themselves as a result of the information they sought out online.

A study commissioned by the vaginal infection treatment brand Balance Activ, surveyed 1,000 British women to see if they would consult "Dr. Google" before their doctor. Half responded yes, and one-quarter even said they would treat themselves based solely on the information they gathered online.

According to the survey (via The Huffington Post), the most commonly misdiagnosed illnesses include breast cancer, other forms of cancer, thrush, high blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, depression, diabetes, sexual health problems and thyroid problems.

While the Internet can be a great resource to find out more information regarding your health care, it really shouldn’t be your only source.

Do you use the Internet to self-diagnose?

Related:
‘ How to use online health information
‘ 4 signs you’re a cyberchondriac
‘ News: Online drug information less reliable in Canada than in U.S.