Is it really a good idea to seek medical advice from a website like this.?

Or should you really go and see a doctor at their surgery where you can be sure that they are qualified to give you advice.Is it really a good idea to seek medical advice from a website like this.?
I haven't been using this site very long, but have been concerned that some people claim to be doctors or nurses, as well some might be. I like to think I can recognise the genuine from the fake, usually by the content or the style of the answers, but there are so many who are not so able.





Unfortunately there are some very clever con artists in this world, and using a site like this is an ideal platform for them.





It may be alright to use this sight for ideas, for example, for tried and trusted simple remedies, or perhaps for reassurance, or for more information about something they've been diagnosed with, or perhaps just to know that there are others who have gone or are going through the same experience.





While I am a believer in trying simple remedies for minor ailments, such as colds, as stated on the packets, if the symptoms persist or get worse, or if I am at all worried, I'll not hesitate to see a doctor.





Perhaps Yahoo should issue a 'friendly warning' at the top of the health categories.Is it really a good idea to seek medical advice from a website like this.?
I agree somewhat with the previous poster.





On the other hand, it doesn't hurt if you get other opinions. Just make sure that you DON'T RELY on what anyone on Y!A tells you even if they claim to be a medical professional.





The more information you can get for yourself prior to seeing a doctor the better. It helps to be informed when you are discussing your situation, as opposed to just going in and taking whatever they say as the gospel truth. Doctors are humans too, and prone to make mistakes. I have found that some of them do not keep up with the latest treatment options. Case in point - I know of a neurologist that wanted to set me up for a spinal tap (ouch!). I got a second opinion, and the ';good'; doctor was flabbergasted and suggested a fairly painless test that was modern and even better.





By the way, some doctors tend to fear the educated patient, since they are narcissistic and do not want to be questioned. If you come across one of these jackasses, switch like I did. You will be glad you did. You owe it to yourself to be educated on your medical situations.





Just separate the wheat from the chaff and use your own common sense. You are going to get some wiseass answers, but some might be good enough to use when discussing the situation with your doctor.





Hope this answers what you were after.
Yahoo answers is not the place to go for sound medical advice about serious problems. On the other hand if you just need basic first aid type of help it is a pretty good place to go. (If you ask what you should put on a sunburn and 5 out of 6 answers mention aloe vera, then aloe vera is probably a good bet.)





Yahoo answers is also useful in explaining what the doctor has already diagnosed. I am always surprised by the number of people who want to know what their diagnosis means. Why didn't they ask their doctor for more information? Frequently answers will refer you to websites with more detailed information. If you have a disease there is probably a national organization with a website with information (i.e. American Heart Association).
It's probably quite reassuring to get others opinions and then go to the Drs. I wouldn't take medical advice on here as gospal but it would make me think...
I think you are trying to justify something you already consider you accept.





However on my opinion, it would not be safe. Other would answer sarcastically and other would based it according to experience or opinion. Others would even sound convincing, but we would never know. They can't get sued giving opinion over the internet if something would go wrong unlike when you really went to a doctor's office and be checked. Also test would be very important in knowing your condition so an appropriate action will be taken to resolve your condition.





Research however is very very effective thing. Sometimes even Doctors would miss things because as we all observe most of them see us like numbers and not something personal unless we are related to them. That is why it is very important for us to asked copies of our lab test so we could base our research there. The internet provided a very wide range of medical knowledge sites, just be sure it is reliable and the people putting the info there are professionals and have their credentials posted. ';Lorenzo's Oil movie is a very good example for this.





On my personal opinion, most natural cures are still best.
I am a nurse and I have a good knowledge and try to give good advice. The trouble is that anyone can say they are a nurse (or doctor) and give awful and sometimes dangerous advice. Some I have seen has made me cringe...others I have reported so that it is removed from the board...potentially killer advice if followed!


It seems that a lot of people in N America use the board because they don't have insurance, personally i would rather use a search engine and try and get info that way, but each to his own.
I think you have answered your own question, you need proffessional help not opinion from a random person
If its just general stuff like has anyone else had it, and how did they deal with it I think thats ok to ask others but if its stuff like, serious stuff and they are asking what they should do then that can be a bit dangerous.


the one that really does my head in is the am i pregnant questions!! how the h'ell do we know get a test.





Girl to girl medical questions are always usefull though
No you could get all sorts of bullshit here
This site is just to give people advice. It doesn't mean that you have to do everything thing that people say on here. If someone was really worried about their health then i'm sure they would consult their doctor.


I understand you're point though but you can't control what advice people actually take from this site, you can only control what you do.
i agree as you might get misleading information on here
Personally, it's a great conversation starter between the person and their MD. Should you diagnose yourself because a few people think they know the answer? No way. There are a lot of people that aren't sure if there is something wrong and need someone to tell them to see a MD. At the same time there are people that are very inexperienced in things and may think there is something seriously wrong when it isn't. It's also a great resource for younger people that are too afraid to talk to their parents but have no one else to talk to.
of course you should go to the doctor. but some people are nurse or doctors here and might have an idea of the problem
I think it's always reassuring when you have an ailment to know that someone else has had the same. people can then tell of their experience. Anything serious, should be seen by a doctor.





What worries me is when people write things like 'I have blood in my stools'. Surely common sense should tell them to get to the doctor straight away.
You should do both to get a better picture of why you may be ill. Many people are asking questions that doctors cant answer-anyone experiencing the same symptoms here can say what they may have wrong with them.Then its back to the doctors.
Nope!
I would not seek such advices from websites. Sometime I read them and my first thought is: ';Oh my God! Please, don`t try this. Never ever!';


It`s absolutly better to go and see a doctor. They are qualified and they know what they are doing.


Believe me, I am a young M.D. and I know the results of such ';advices';. I can see that every day in the hospital. Sometimes it is a real disaster.


People have a little problem, take such advices and then...everthing is worse than before.
if a person who has been through what another person has experienced then advice can be reassuring and helpful,but a medically qualified person should always be consulted with medical issues if they are symptomatic of an illness.
Where is the fun in that???
I would use the site as a idea pad... get ideas from other people so that you have plenty of thoughtful questions to ask your doctor when you meet him.





Its a good way to pry more info out of your doctor... if he gives a diagnosis, ask him what about ';x'; that has similar symptoms (x being something you heard on the site)... More likeley than not, he will tell you ';x'; is a wrong diagnosis or treatment because 'y'.... 'y' is the part you don't get from the doctor usually.
go 2 http://www.webmd.com
Get proper medical advice.....Always.





Its fine to use this site to build up the confidence and psyche yourself up to do something about the medical issue though.





My grandma always said ';the biggest troubles are the ones you never have.'; It means worrying about something is normally the worst part of it.





If our answers get even one dithering person to actually go to the docs then its a good thing. If we stop one person going to the doctors because of bad advice then its dangerous.





If in doubt get it sorted........by the experts.
You do seem to get the odd Doc on here. I think what you'll be getting is just an opinion though and a proper diagnosis can only be given upon examination.
it is very good to seek medical advice from a website like this, because I believe the idea are not only contributed by one person but from many opions. Seeing a qualified doctor is also good on urgent need.
no its not, and if you look at most of the answers you will see that most people will advise that the asker goes to his/her GP or to the nearest A%26amp;E department. i think a lot of people ask for information about specific illnesses with a view of gaining knowledge through other people's experiences.