homehome Home chatchat Notifications


Over 60% of Internet users go online for help in diagnosing health issues and other related issues

When it comes to social media, we post all sorts of stuff: what we eat, what we drink, who we hang out with, how we hate the weather, and oh so much more. There’s one area where apparently, we’re much more careful about: our health. A new study from BYU finds that while most of […]

Mihai Andrei
March 26, 2013 @ 3:24 am

share Share

When it comes to social media, we post all sorts of stuff: what we eat, what we drink, who we hang out with, how we hate the weather, and oh so much more. There’s one area where apparently, we’re much more careful about: our health.

internethealth

A new study from BYU finds that while most of us (over 60%) go online to search for information about diagnosing ourselves, few of us actually discuss our health online.

“Less than 15 percent of us are posting the health information that most of us are consuming,” said Rosemary Thackeray, BYU professor of health science and lead author of the study appearing online in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

It’s not clear yet if people use the internet instead of going to the doctor or as complementary information, but this could actually be a good thing.

“The inherent value of ‘social’ in social media is not being captured with online health information seeking,” Thackeray said. “Social media is still a good source of health information, but I don’t think it’s ever going to replace providers or traditional health care sources.”

According to the researchers, social media could become even more valuable if professionals tune in to the discussion. Patients could become more empowered and doctors could be more aware of the public discourse around certain medical issues. We’re not there though.

“We’re just not there yet, but we’ll probably get there in the future,” Thackeray said.

Just remember, as much information as there is on the internet, this is not a substitute for a physician! Of course, it can provide valuable information, but most of the common symptoms are… well, common, and you should never really try to diagnose yourself. If you do check the internet and are worried about something, ask your physician.

Via BYU

share Share

Did Columbus Bring Syphilis to Europe? Ancient DNA Suggests So

A new study pinpoints the origin of the STD to South America.

Mysterious "Disease X" identified as aggressive strain of malaria

The mystery of this Disease X seems to have been solved. Now to develop an approach to handling it.

Bird Flu Strikes Again: Severe Case Confirmed in the US. Here's what you need to know

Bird flu continues to loom as a global threat. A severe case in Louisiana is the latest development in a series of concerning H5N1 outbreaks.

Scientists Discover a Surprising Side Effect of Intermittent Fasting — Slower Hair Regrowth

Fasting benefits metabolism but may hinder hair regeneration, at least in mice.

Origami-Inspired Heart Valve May Revolutionize Treatment for Toddlers

A team of researchers at UC Irvine has developed an origami-inspired heart valve that grows with toddlers.

Depression Risk Surges by 40% During Perimenopause, New Study Reveals

Women in the perimenopause stage are 40% more likely to experience depression compared to those who aren’t undergoing menopausal changes, according to a new study led by researchers at University College London (UCL). This research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, draws on data from over 9,000 women across the globe and underscores an […]

Scientists Call for a Global Pause on Creating “Mirror Life” Before It’s Too Late: “The threat we’re talking about is unprecedented”

Creating synthetic lifeforms is almost here, and the consequences could be devastating.

Common air pollutants (and traffic noise) linked to infertility -- both for men and for women

New research from Denmark and the US uncovers how air and noise pollution disrupt fertility, from impairing sperm and egg quality to reducing IVF success rates.

New 3D Bio-printer Injects Living Cells Directly Onto Injuries To Heal Bones and Cartilage

In recent years, 3D printing has evolved dramatically. Once limited to materials like plastic or resin, it now extends to human cells, enabling the creation of living tissues. However, bioprinting remains a slow and limited process—until now. This latest innovation promises to change that. A team of researchers has introduced a new, cutting-edge bioprinting system […]

Temporary scalp e-tattoos that scan brain could replace traditional EEGs forever

Scientists have developed spray-on electronic tattoos that could be a game-changer in brain monitoring.