If you are feeling unwell, go to the health professional.

Have you ever felt a sudden twinge in your back, experienced a sharp pain in your chest, or noticed unusual fatigue? And did you, like many others, rush to your favorite search engine to find out what might be wrong? If so, you may be a patient of Dr. Google. Even with the best intentions, your search can quickly spiral into a tangled mess of confusion.

Technology has revolutionized our lives, making almost everything more accessible and convenient. This transformation extends to the health sector, where we now have access to an endless stream of information at our fingertips. Yet, this convenience can be a double-edged sword.

A research review reveals that 90% of people in the United States have searched the Internet for health information. Alarmingly, it also found that 1 in 3 adults has gone online to try to diagnose a medical condition.

Googling your symptoms often leads you to believe you have a severe or even deadly health condition. When this happens, it’s known as cyberchondria—a term used to describe the extreme, unwarranted anxiety that comes from using the Internet to search for medical information.

Consider this scenario: you’re experiencing a persistent cough. Almost instinctively, you grab your phone and type, “Persistent cough is a symptom of…” In an instant, you’re bombarded with a range of potential causes—everything from allergies and asthma to tuberculosis, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Suddenly, you’re not just coughing but also feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Turning to Google to diagnose your health problems can fuel fear and anxiety because the search engine can’t provide specific information about your unique situation.

While beneficial, online resources can also be confusing, alarming, and often riddled with inaccuracies. Google has no knowledge of your medical history, current medications, or other personal details crucial for an accurate diagnosis. One of the biggest risks of self-diagnosing online is that it may deter you from seeking the professional help you actually need.

Imagine your car breaks down. You wouldn’t just Google the problem to figure out why it happened. Online searches might present a multitude of possible causes, but they won’t pinpoint the exact issue. Instead, you’d consult a mechanic who has the expertise to diagnose and fix the problem.

Similarly, when you’re experiencing health problems, it’s more effective to see a medical doctor rather than relying on search engines.

Or think of your smartphone acting up. You wouldn’t rely solely on online searches to troubleshoot the issue. Instead, you’d visit a tech specialist who can resolve the problem. So why are you Googling your health problems? These examples illustrate why seeking professional expertise is always the best approach.

Medical doctors undergo years of rigorous training, equipping them with the precision and knowledge to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions—capabilities that Google simply cannot match.