BCRTA News Item
Medicine & the Internet
Vancouver RTA branch member David Anderson has written a series of articles about computers and seniors. The second instalment of Seniors and Computers by David Anderson of the BCRTA web site committee and the Vancouver branch.
By David Anderson
Retired folks can make good use of the resources on the Internet when it comes
to medical issues. Among the benefits of being online are two important areas—
prescriptions from your doctor, and medical procedures that are suggested by
your doctor or other specialist.
Whenever your doctor gives you some pills or other medicine to take, always
type the name of the drug into the Google search field BEFORE you take your
first dose, for two reasons. One, you want to know the side effects of the
medication right away. If it is going to make you drowsy or jumpy or hungry, it is
good to know this immediately. Your doctor or the pharmacist may tell you some
things, but forget other things. You want to know as much as possible about any
drug you are about to take. This is true whether you have a choice or not in
taking the drug.
The other important aspect of any prescription is how it is affected by other pills
you may be taking. The interaction of one drug with another is something you
want to know.
Right away, we need to talk about whether you can trust information from the
Internet. When you type in the name of any drug or prescription, you will see
search results that point to “official” medical information as well as first-hand
accounts from ordinary people who have no medical training of any kind. Among
all these sources, there will be some that are more accurate than others. Drug
companies often give glowing recommendations about their products. Also you
may encounter individuals who have had experiences that are the result of
personal situations quite different than yours.
What to do about all this information? Search widely and read everything. Sooner
or later you will find sources from actual medical doctors or nurses or even
private individuals who report on side effects that seem to correspond to other
news you find. When you discover that the information is fairly universal, you can
start to rely on it. Look for sites that have actual doctors as sources, but don’t
ignore first-hand experiences. Be aware that there is truth as well as fiction out
there, and use your judgment when you see agreement among the sources of
knowledge.
Besides prescriptions and medications, the Internet is helpful in preparing for
clinical investigative procedures. Type in the name of the procedure being
scheduled for you, and again, you will find medical doctors as well as patients
who are reporting their personal experiences. Not all first-hand accounts will be
the same, and not all of them will pertain to you. But to read the stories about
clinical procedures before your have yours is invaluable. It is important to know
how to prepare yourself and what to expect when you have your procedure. For
example, a colonoscopy requires a purge of the intestines before the
appointment, and the ingestion of the bad-tasting liquids you have to drink is not
a fun activity, but there are lots of good ideas on the Internet from patients who
have found ways to make it less uncomfortable.
Depending on your level of courage, you can even open up Youtube, and see
videos of medical procedures. Assess your level of squeamishness before you
search, but there is absolutely everything on Youtube in the form of videos of
medical procedures if you really want to know before you go.
Always be aware of sources and their validity. Question everything, and look for
correspondence of views, and use the Internet to make your own decisions about
any drug or procedure that a doctor recommends. Forewarned is forearmed.
