Self Diagnosis - Why Web MD is not a substitute for professionals
Self-diagnosis is a common thing in the world of Google, WebMD, and social media. This is when someone looks up their symptoms, or discusses them with a non-professional, and comes away with a diagnosis that may or may not be correct. The difficulty with self-diagnosis is that it can create a lot of anxiety. You might suddenly think you have a terrible condition, and yet you have no immediate solution. Here are our recommendations for when you feel worried about your symptoms:
Self-Awareness
It can be extremely helpful to know yourself and your body well enough to recognise when something isn’t right. For one person, having a sore stomach every now and then may be pretty normal. But for another person that could mean they have eaten something bad, or need to see a doctor. The better you know what is normal for you, the more easily you will be able to identify if something feels a little off.
A good example of this is a patient of ours, who came to see us because her gums started bleeding when she brushed them. She knew that this could be a symptom of something sinister, so instead of jumping on the internet and trying to diagnose herself, she took it to the professionals. From there we were able to help her make a plan for treatment, and we were able to save her teeth because she had acted early.
Stay off the Internet
If there is something that will build your anxiety, it is Googling your symptoms. There are any number of rare and unusual conditions that can share symptoms with normal and treatable illnesses. All too often we have patients who think they are dying because they have a wiggly tooth (which is pretty unlikely!) We recommend talking to your dentist or visiting us directly before jumping on the web with your oral health concerns. That way you can get some answers quickly, and with an accompanying treatment plan to set your mind at ease.
Call Someone
Most health professionals have incredible office staff with a lot of knowledge. If you aren’t sure whether or not you need to make an appointment, it can be really helpful to have a brief chat with a member of their office team. This way they can learn a bit more about your situation, and who you should see with your concerns. In some instances specialists will require a referral from your doctor, but if it is a gum or dental implant concern then go ahead and call us for an appointment - we are more than happy to accept self-referrals.
Save
As we looked at in our blog about financing dental treatment, money can be a big deterrent for people getting the medical advice and treatment they desperately need. The first thing you should check is if you qualify for ACC, which you can read about here. If not, then we highly recommend setting aside a small portion of your pay in a separate bank account that is specifically for your health. Over time, this will grow, and become a huge asset in getting you the help you need - when you need it.