Mumbai docs warn online health searches causing dangerous delays in treatment 

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As health information is just a click away, a large number of people tend to Google their symptoms online before consulting a doctor. Doing so can lead to panic, anxiety, and worry. Even if online resources can help create awareness, doctors in Maharashtra including Mumbai say an increasing number of patients are delaying proper medical treatment because they believe they can diagnose and just self-treat the symptoms. However, understand that every person’s health condition is different, and relying only on internet information can lead to missed diagnoses, disease progression, and complications that can further complicate the treatment. Hence, timely treatment is key to improving the quality of life of the person.

Many people have a habit of using Google to search for each and every thing. So, in case they have symptoms such as persistent fatigue, fever, headache, cold, cough, wheezing, sore throat, chest pain, breathlessness, stomach pain, acidity, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, dizziness, or loss of appetite, they just Google. So, people often mistake serious illnesses for minor problems after reading information online.

Effects of delaying medical treatment

“Some begin taking medicines without a prescription, while others wait for symptoms to improve on their own. This delay can allow infections, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and other medical conditions to worsen, making treatment more difficult and expensive. So, use online health information only as a source of general knowledge and not as a substitute for professional medical advice. The internet has made health information easily accessible, but it cannot replace a doctor’s clinical judgement. 80 per cent of people who visit me tend to Google the symptoms and try OTC medication or home remedies,” said Dr Chhya Vaja, internal medicine expert, Apollo Spectra, Mumbai.

She adds, “In a month, approximately 8 out of 10 patients belonging to the age group 25-55 arrive late because they believed their symptoms were harmless after reading about them online or following advice from social media. By the time they reach the hospital, the disease may have progressed, requiring more complex treatment, which can lead to poorer outcomes. Early consultation helps identify problems before they become serious and often leads to faster recovery with fewer complications. Don’t replace the expert’s advice with Google. Be attentive when it comes to your health and seek timely medical attention.”

Dr Sandeep Kadian, senior consultant Pulmonologist and Intensivist, AIMS Hospital Dombivli said, “Online self-diagnosis is commonly seen in a large number of patients. 70 per cent of patients rely on online advice as they keep Googling the symptoms and tend to avoid timely treatment. Monthly,  7 out of 10 patients aged 25-55 who visit me say that they googled their symptoms, tried home remedies, or took OTC medications after researching online, and have landed in trouble as the symptoms worsened. Every patient has a different medical history, lifestyle, and risk profile, which cannot be assessed through an internet search alone. Timely diagnosis not only improves treatment outcomes but also reduces stress and financial burden for patients and their families. The doctor will conduct appropriate tests, confirm the diagnosis, and then only recommend a treatment plan. So, make sure to adhere to the guidelines given by the doctor, stay safe, and healthy.”