Every day there are millions of people scouring the web in search of something. Some search for information on how to remove stains from clothes, some search for cool gifts to buy for their loved ones and yet others search for new ways to interact and meet new people. The web is a wonderful tool to access a host of useful information, but what happens when you feel unwell and can’t ask a doctor? Is the web still useful?

There are a host of forums, blogs and generic health articles available online through which to peruse, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take for instance online forums: these are websites which allow two or more parties to interact. A forum is described as an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. Since these posted messages are stored, they may be thought of as factual data, when in fact they are simply stored “conversations” between two anonymous individuals that may or may not have suffered from whatever ails you. Unless you ask a doctor, it is generally unsafe to follow any advice supplied on a forum.

A blog is defined as a website containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations and opinions. As such, blogs oftentimes contain detailed information on a singular person’s experience and/or struggles with a medical condition they have faced, be it medical or otherwise. Unless they have previously spoken to online doctors or their regular doctor, any advice given is not guaranteed to bear any medical standing.

Finally, there are the generic health articles which are usually found on wellbeing websites. Pressed to release several articles each day, these websites publish news which focuses predominantly on beauty and general health matters by discussing fads such as the Atkins diet or antigravity yoga. Unfortunately, these articles rarely delve into the proven medical benefits or studies conducted (if any) accompanying said fads. It can be therefore be dangerous to embark on one of these fads without firstly discussing your plans and current health with online doctors or other specialists in the field.

It is clear therefore that the internet, whilst packed with information and opinions, can lack from authenticity and verifiable, trustworthy, fact-based data. Even if relevant, fact-based data is found, it can be difficult to reliably interpret and apply this data to one’s own medical conditions. Often, this data can exacerbate and cause unnecessary panic to the untrained eye.

So where can one go to receive reliable information verified by trustworthy sources and reviewed by doctors? At the same place where you can ask a doctor questions: Medicalium! Medicalium has launched its news section which provides invaluable information you can trust. Included, you will find information on many health problems such as cancer and anxiety, but also helpful tips on what you can do to get better.

Despite this very useful and reliable information, the advice of a real doctor whom takes the time and care to examine your particular situation and your medical history may still be required. Medicalium's online doctors have a breadth of medical knowledge and experience which can come in useful when you need advice on an issue that may be troubling you personally.

Ask a doctor: https://www.medicalium.co.uk/