How incredible is it that we can know all that there is to know about our world and our universe from the touch of a button? How amazing is it that we can find out any sort of information by simply doing a quick 'web search'. Through 'google earth' we can see any part of any country with the touch and scroll of a 'mouse'.
Here's the problem.
Because the internet is a place where absolutely anyone can put any kind of information on it, there is a lot of MISINFORMATION as well. How do you sift through what is the truth and what is fabrication?
I guarantee that you can find any number of websites that have 'PROOF' that the world is flat, that the world was supposed to end in 2012, or 2000, or however many other dates there were, or that Arthritis is contagious.
There are websites that have claims for every possibly subject we can come up with.
I saw an argument today (online of course) between parents who believe that Autism is caused from vaccinations and parents who do NOT believe that Autism is caused from vaccinations.
There was at least one parent on each side of that argument who used a research paper, an article, a website, a support group, any number of tangible research items to suggest that his/her opinion was 100% correct.
They each had 'proof'. But if one side is correct, then the other cannot be, right?
The same goes for all health issues. It doesn't matter what your belief is, you can find 'proof' of it on the internet. The question is: what is the real truth and what is just a website that claims that the opposite is true? And how is a regular, every day, person supposed to find the right answer?
Unfortunately, because of the information age, every person has become his/her own Internet Health Specialist. Take, for example, something like systemic Candida. There are thousands of websites that offer information and even diagnostic testing. There are also thousands of websites claiming that this is not an actual ailment, that this is a myth and is not real, that most doctors don't even believe in its existence. Or how about using naturopathic medication versus pharmaceutical medication? Many claim that using Willow Bark is much safer. That it is natural and therefore better for you. But did you know that there are also dangerous properties to willow bark that have been proven poisonous to animals? Did you even know that ASA (acetylsalicylic acid, aka: aspirin) is derived from willow bark? That they were able to extract the healing properties from willow bark and concentrate it? That ASA is, in fact, derived from a natural source?
Is this true?
Is Candida a real disorder?
Don't ask me, I haven't a clue.
What I do know is that I have not gone to medical school for 8+ years. Most of the specialists that I deal with have gone to school for almost half of their lives. And, for the MOST part, I trust their judgment.
The BEST place, in my opinion, to find information is in a library (yes they are still around). Or find actual medical textbooks - possibly from several different regions. And if you are looking online, be sure to check who is sponsoring the website. Who OWNS the website and all of the information coming from it.
I have said before that my go-to website to find information about any illness is the Mayo Clinic. It provides the most cohesive explanation but only includes what has been scientifically proven. I also like it because it is not a pharmaceutical company or specific organization or support group or random group of people that is controlling the website.
Is it perfect? Should I believe every single thing that I read online? Absolutely not!!!
The next best thing is always keeping the leaflets that explain what a medication is. If you get a prescription, the leaflet comes with it. Take five minutes and read the damn thing. The leaflet HAS to include all notable side effects and interactions. This is your best source of information for a medication.
Another good source is your local pharmacist. Why? They have had to learn the information that is in ALL of those leaflets and the science behind it.
Can you imagine memorizing all of that yourself?
Be reminded of that when you are looking for information. Pharmacists and doctors DO make mistakes, missteps, and sometimes accidentally overlook things. That's why it's important to be well-informed.
And please please PLEASE stop getting all of your information from unreliable websites. I personally do not like getting information from Wikipedia or from WebMD .. Why? Anyone can add information in there and there is no accountability to anyone for any mistakes that are made. People can change historical figures and names and information with a simple click of a button. Anyone can add definitions and meanings to words.
My point is - whatever you are passionate about, you can find 'proof' for. Just make sure that the 'research' that you're doing is actually real. Make sure it's from a reliable source. Make sure that it hasn't been proven wrong in subsequent peer reviewed clinically researched papers. Has everyone forgotten how to reference their research? Everything that we used to have to fight for even in grade school had to have a reliable source to present our argument? Accountability has become scarce.
Always remember that anyone can express anything that they want onto the internet.
The most reliable information is consolidating the information researched from VARIOUS sources - including professionals, libraries, textbooks, research papers, AND the internet.
Never rely on the internet alone for information.
If someone can 'prove' that major historical events never happened, then how do you know that what you are reading is 100% accurate??