The very many questions-not-worth-their-own-thread question thread XXVII

[Mouthwash]

Any one know a good forum to get medical diagnoses/advice? I don't care if it's amateur.

 

[Takhisis]

I must caution you not to do such a thing as going online for impromptu amateur diagnosis.

 

[Mouthwash]

I must caution you not to do such a thing as going online for impromptu amateur diagnosis.

It could've saved me a 9/11 call, and still might.

Is there a professional website?

EDIT: Probably getting too close to the subject for the mods' comfort.

 

[Takhisis]

Saved you a 911 call? Riiight. And who knows what advice you might have got. Seriously, don't do it.

 

[Mouthwash]

Saved you a 911 call? Riiight. And who knows what advice you might have got. Seriously, don't do it.

OK, then, but is there any place where actual doctors answer questions?

 

[Takhisis]

A hospital.

 

[Kennigit]

if you don't have a very strong idea of what something might be from an immediate google search, you're not going to find any better information out there

and even with a very strong idea of what something might be, it is best to seek a professional opinion

a 911 call is supposed to be rather urgent isn't it? If you want to look up CPR or anaphylactic shock or something else where anything your actions might save an emergency call, that would be found in an immediate google search

 

[Mise]

No, there are literally no options for seeking medical advice between looking up symptoms on the internet and calling the emergency services. Those two extremes are, somewhat surprisingly, the only two options.

EDIT: To be more helpful, depending on the urgency and severity, you could call your GP, look on webMD or one of the many other symptom checkers online, call the non-emergency number (111 in the UK), call a local pharmacist/vendor of prescription drugs, call someone you know who is qualified to give medical advice (a friend or family member, perhaps), call your health insurance provider's information/help line, look up your local hospital and see if they have a number for direct health enquiries... anything else or have I covered them all?

 

[Flying Pig]

I would argue that WebMD is a particularly bad idea because it's still you doing the assessment of your symptoms and diagnosis from them. Get someone trained to do it. They're paid so much for a reason.

 

[Mise]

You obviously have to exercise some common sense, but I don't think that that sort of knowledge is dangerous if you're sensible. I've used similar services (I use the NHS one in the UK) plenty of times for minor ailments and injuries; they're an incredibly valuable sources of knowledge and I've learnt a lot about how my body works from them.

 

[Samez]

Some health insurance companies offer advice hotlines for their customers. In most cases they will probably tell you which doctor you should go to.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

I would argue that WebMD is a particularly bad idea because it's still you doing the assessment of your symptoms and diagnosis from them. Get someone trained to do it. They're paid so much for a reason.

Because they will tell you whatever is likely to get them paid the most? Is that the reason?

 

[Borachio]

I can't see how it's any better than just looking in a medical book, or going to ask your GP.

It can be very hard to get a reliable diagnosis even if you only consult medical professionals.

I've seen similar things to "Symptom Checker" in old medical books. I don't see any difference. It's just a kind of research game that may or may not reassure you that you've nothing to worry about.

If your symptoms persist, go bother a GP about it.

Now, about these flu-like symptoms and swollen buboes in my armpits... *cough* *splutter*.

Actually, it's pretty impressive, imo. But be prepared to come away with a diagnosis of hypochondria.

"Morning alcohol drinking. Eye-opener."

What's this? And why does it think I might be doing it?

 

[Loppan Torkel]

Because they will tell you whatever is likely to get them paid the most? Is that the reason?

Those moneygrubbing medical doctors

 

[gay_Aleks]

Yeah, what's with them? Can't they be like the literary majors drug dealers who even give discounts for regular clients?

 

[Flying Pig]

Because they will tell you whatever is likely to get them paid the most? Is that the reason?

Even in a country like America, a doctor with a reputation for dishonesty will end up very poor indeed.

 

[PlutonianEmpire]

Can someone explain to me the idea or concept behind the saying "<so and so> is the new <something>"? The whole thing just confuses me.

 

[sophie]

Can someone explain to me the idea or concept behind the saying "<so and so> is the new <something>"? The whole thing just confuses me.

You're going to need to be more specific if you want a genuine answer that provides any information.

 

[Kennigit]

it's just saying something new is taking over in popularity

confusion might occur in unrelated things, like if someone said uh <popular tv show> is the new <Seinfeld or Friends>, even if the new tv show is not a comedy. They just mean it's super popular.

otherwise it (hopefully) is just an analogy and easily understood, but yeah, some people use it in non-intuitive ways (i.e. just to refer to popularity). Equivalent to "the <X> of this generation"

 

[PlutonianEmpire]

it's just saying something new is taking over in popularity

confusion might occur in unrelated things, like if someone said uh <popular tv show> is the new <Seinfeld or Friends>, even if the new tv show is not a comedy. They just mean it's super popular.

otherwise it (hopefully) is just an analogy and easily understood, but yeah, some people use it in non-intuitive ways (i.e. just to refer to popularity). Equivalent to "the <X> of this generation"

That makes much more sense now, thanks.

You're going to need to be more specific if you want a genuine answer that provides any information.

Considering I got a good answer anyways, it just serves to show you that it's not that hard to quit trolling me and give me a good, and informative answer, even with the detail level of my questions.