Is WebMD reliable?
By allshookup
@allshookup (598)
United States
April 13, 2007 11:31am CST
I just went to WebMD for a "self diagnosis" of a fluttering I feel in my chest at times. Frankly, I didn't even know to describe it as a chest flutter. Anyways, I got 13 possible conditions for it, and the one that stuck out was hypothryroid something or another. It's in my family, so that could absolutely be it. However, my mom wasn't diagnosed until almost or after 30 years old, I am not sure. I am 19. Before I obtained the list of conditions, I was supposed to click what brought on the chest flutter. I do not notice any certain trigger, but one of them was emotional stress. I have been going through emotional stress, but my chest last fluttered when I was calmly doing schoolwork, far from thinking about relationship issues. So I am just not so sure about their reliability. Anybody used WebMD, checked with a doctor about the condition, and found out if it was right or wrong??
4 people like this
7 responses
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
13 Apr 07
WebMD is just a tool. It could be right or wrong depending the information you supply it, and what you take away from the choices that it gives you.
It should *not* be used in place of a Doctor. By flutter I'm thinking that you mean your heart, and it that could just be a simple murmur that a high precentage of people have, i.e. nothing to worry about. However you really don't want to mess around with something that could be serious or life-threatening, so I would suggest you go see an M.D. about it.
2 people like this
@thyst07 (2079)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I find WebMD to be absolutely useless...my boyfriend had a health issue not too long ago, and we looked up his symptoms on WebMD. We got about 20 possible conditions, ranging from an allergic reaction to diabetes to a severe and dangerous nerve disorder! He went to the doctor, and it turns out that he had a very common ailment, but it wasn't even LISTED in the results we got on WebMD! How insane is that?
1 person likes this
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
16 Oct 08
Web MD much like any other doctor can only examine your history and the things that you tell him. However since a chest flutter is absolutely nothing to play with I would recommend that you and your flutter get in to see a doctor as soon as possible. Do not wait, I lost a friend at age 15 to a congenital heart condition that he did not know he had so there is no early age for onset of heart trouble. Even some babies have them sometimes so go and get checked up soon. DO NOT WAIT!!
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
16 Apr 07
you still need to have a check up by a real doctor for a more personal diagnosis or prognosis.the web info is just like looking into any medical books without our knowledge of medicine and we get affected bu it when we read them , for us it may sound bad but for the doctors it's nothing to be alarmed of.we all have different chemistry and that has to be determined first that is why there a battery of test tht we all go through.
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
15 Apr 07
I only use WebMD to find out about things I already know I have, generally. It's too dangerous to play around with your health when you're not sure what's going on. I have found WebMD really useful for researching possible treatments, and checking out what to expect during various medical tests and treatments.
I think if you're having a symptom that could possibly be related to a serious health problem, you should definitely go to the doctor. There's nothing wrong with doing research on your own, but do it along with getting treatment, not instead of.
@brothertuck (1257)
• United States
6 Feb 08
With WebMD and all medical sites their is or should be a disclaimer
Do not use the site for self diagnosis
Go to your family doctor to find out any specific problems
Your doctor has many tests and options that he can use
Use WebMD to make sure you are thorough and ask your doctor the right questions
WebMD is an aid, as someone said, a tool. It can help you understand the diagnosis your doctor gives you but it can't diagnose because it doesn't have all the facts.
@creativedreamweaver (7297)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I would not rely on WebMD for a diagnosis. You should seek medical attention from a local doctor. I do think WebMD is very reliable when it comes to information on certain conditions and medications and treatments. I have used it quite often in those respects and the information has always been acurate and helpful. I hope you get to feeling better and that it is nothing more than stress. Try some relaxation exercises to see if that helps reduce the fluttering in you chest. Blessings.
