Take the anxious parents who came into my office recently with their 2-month-old. "It's her right eye," her mom said. "It's different from the left one. We looked it up on the Internet, and we think she has ptosis!" Ptosis, or a droopy eyelid, can be associated with nerve and brain problems -- something I'd never suspected this baby of having. Had I missed something? I looked her over carefully. "She doesn't have ptosis," I told them. "Her eyes just aren't symmetrical, and that's totally normal."
But I couldn't convince them. They decided to consult with an ophthalmologist, who confirmed that the baby was fine. Their foray onto the Internet had cost them weeks of angst and a pricey specialist visit -- all unnecessary.
I'm not saying the web can't be a great resource -- it can be. I can't always spend as much time as I'd like explaining things to patients; a good site can help with that, and answer questions that come up after they leave my office.
There's also a lot of useful health and safety information on the web, from the most up-to-date car-seat installation recommendations and toy recalls to food-allergy information you can print out and give to your daycare provider and tips on getting lice out of hair. Online message boards and disease-support websites can be invaluable when it comes to connecting families who are going through the same health crises.
But as a doctor, I know how to pick out the reliable info from what's untrue. Without medical training, that's hard to do. And there's enough misinformation out there to drive you crazy. Here's what to know so you can surf safely and effectively.
Don't use the Internet to diagnose yourself or your child.
That's what doctors study and practice for years to be able to do. If you have concerns about your child, call your pediatrician first.
I understand the temptation to Google a symptom or to take one of those online health quizzes; it's easy, and unlike your doctor, the Internet's always available (and you never have to worry about waking it up). But there are two problems:
The Internet can't examine your child. Let's say your baby's breathing sounds a little funny. What do you enter into that search engine: "wheezing" or "nasal congestion"? Your results will be really different depending on which you pick-and both could lead you down scary roads that may have nothing to do with your kid's problem. Without a doctor to check out your child, it's hard to say whether she has congestion or wheezing (or croup or pneumonia).
The Internet can't take a history, which is what doctors do when we ask questions to understand what's going on. Say your son has been having headaches. Type "headache" into Google and a dizzying array of sites come up, with an even more dizzying range of possible causes, from tension to a brain tumor(!) -- without much to help you sort them out.
Contributing editor Claire McCarthy, M.D., writes our On Call column.
More online dos and don'ts
Don't believe everything you read.Some advice is biased. Some information is obsolete -- new discoveries are made every day. Some is plain wrong. (Having an "M.D." after your name doesn't always make you right!)
Don't panic if you read something that scares you.
It may not be true. It may not apply to you. It may be so rare that it doesn't warrant concern, let alone panic. Call your doctor; she can reassure you.
Don't trust the Internet over your doctor.
Again, I'm not saying doctors are infallible, or that they shouldn't be open to new ideas.
But before you ditch advice or treatments that a pediatrician gave you based on your child's specific situation, discuss what you'd like to try with her to be sure it makes sense and -- more important -- isn't dangerous. If your doctor doesn't agree with an approach you've discovered on the web and you feel strongly that you want to try it, get a second opinion. If both doctors are discouraging, well, there's probably a good reason.
Do let your doctor know you're using the Internet.
She may suggest some especially helpful sites, anticipate questions you might have, and help you be sure you're using the right words and terms when you search.
Do talk to your doctor about what you read.
It's the best way to figure out what does apply to you, to make sure you understand what you've read, and to see if there are ways you and your doctor can use what you've learned.
Do use websites from reputable sources.
Look for ones created and maintained by national professional organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics
Two other sites I recommend for family health information:
Do look for information meant for patients.
Many of the "academy" sites have areas specifically geared to health professionals. While the information can be useful, it also can be very technical. Most sites created by professional organizations have sections written in plain English rather than medicalese; they're usually labeled clearly with a title like "Patients/Consumers" or "Parenting Corner."
Do be a savvy consumer.
If the site seems to be pushing a particular product or therapy (or is trying to sell you one), the information should be taken with a grain of salt.
Do be wary of personal websites.
While learning about and from another family's experience can be useful, what happened to them may not apply to you. The surgery, diet, or medication that transformed their child might not be a good idea at all for yours. It also can be impossible to know if information found on personal websites is accurate or true.
Bottom line: Keep your doctor and a healthy dose of skepticism in mind when you read medical advice on the web, and you'll be able to handle any family health crisis with confidence.
