Should you Google your symptoms?
Researching your symptoms online can cause unnecessary anxiety and lead to late diagnosis.
If you’ve ever typed your symptoms into Google, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, a 2024 survey found that about 7% of all Google searches are related to health.
And it’s not just Google anymore – tools like ChatGPT have made it even easier to look for answers. Reports suggest that more than 40 million people worldwide now ask ChatGPT for health advice at least once a day.
That said, neither “Dr Google” nor ChatGPT can replace a real medical professional. Searching online might feel faster and more convenient than booking a GP appointment, but the information you find may not always be accurate, and it can’t take your personal medical history into account.
In this article, we’ll look at why so many of us turn to self-diagnosing, how to know when it’s time to see a doctor, and how to use the internet safely for health advice while you’re waiting to see your GP.
How can I speak to a medical professional quickly?
When you’re worried about symptoms, waiting for an appointment or relying on online information can add to the stress. That’s where Benenden Health’s 24/7 GP Helpline can help. It gives you direct access to qualified medical professionals at any time of day or night, so you can discuss your symptoms, ask questions, and get trusted advice when you need it most. No more relying on AI guesswork or endless Googling.
Why do we self-diagnose?
1. Problems accessing a GP
Between busy work and home life, finding the time to contact your GP and organise an appointment can feel like a low priority. That’s why increasing numbers of us turn to the internet to google symptoms, as it can seem like a faster way to understand the problem and self-diagnose.
If you’re particularly worried about long NHS queues, Benenden Health might be able to help. Our members can access diagnostic tests when the NHS wait is longer than three weeks, offering extra peace of mind. Head to our what’s included page for more information on our healthcare services.
2. Long waits for answers
No one knows your own body better than you do, so it can be frustrating when it feels like your symptoms aren’t being fully understood. This is especially true for conditions that are still poorly understood, such as chronic fatigue, endometriosis, and irritable bowel syndrome. Struggling to get a diagnosis, feeling dismissed, or not receiving clear answers can leave you feeling helpless. Googling symptoms and self-diagnosing can seem like an easy fix when answers from healthcare professionals feel lacking.
3. Embarrassment about your symptoms
Sometimes our bodies do things that feel confusing or embarrassing, which may tempt us to quickly Google symptoms and self-diagnose, instead of reaching out to a doctor. Still, it’s important to remember that your GP has likely seen your ‘embarrassing’ symptoms many times before, and they can provide personalised advice that Google can’t. If it helps you feel more comfortable, both Benenden Health and the NHS have the option to choose whether you see a male or female GP.
4. Dismissing your health concerns
We all experience unusual aches and twinges from time to time, and they often go away on their own. However, repeatedly self-diagnosing your symptoms as “nothing serious” isn’t a helpful habit. Doctors are best placed to tell you whether something needs further attention. If you’re unsure on whether it’s time to book an appointment, our blog on 12 reasons you should see a doctor breaks it down in more detail.
You should never feel like you’re bothering your GP – it’s what they’re there for, helping you put any worries or anxiety to rest. But that’s also why our 24/7 GP Helpline is so great. You get access to a telephone or video appointment with a GP when you need one, rather than wait for an in-person appointment.
What do people use to self-diagnose?
1. Google
Many people fall into the habit of googling symptoms when something feels off. However convenient ‘Dr Google’ may feel, it’s important to remember that search engines don’t know your medical history, and not all websites are completely trustworthy or backed by medical professionals. Not only this, but Google only sees the symptoms you type in and not the wider context of your health, which means it can sometimes give misleading advice. In other words, ‘Dr Google’ may get things wrong.
2. AI models like ChatGPT
AI tools can summarise health information and answer general questions, but they don’t have the ability to assess symptoms clinically, and they can draw information from sources that aren’t accurate. This means the answers they provide might be incomplete, unreliable, or not relevant to your own situation. As such, their guidance should never replace professional medical advice.
3. Health accessories
Smartwatches and fitness trackers can monitor the likes of heart rate or sleep, which may raise awareness of potential issues, helping you feel like you’re ‘biohacking’ your health. Used in the right way, they can be genuinely helpful for spotting irregularities, and the data they collect can be shared with your GP to help build a fuller picture of your health.
Still, it’s important to remember that these accessories have limited accuracy, and focusing too much on them can cause obsessive behaviours. This is why their data shouldn’t be relied on in isolation. Instead, unusual results should be treated as a reason to check in with a professional, not something to worry about straight away or use to diagnose yourself.
4. Social media
Social media influencers often share personal health experiences and advice that may not be accurate or relevant to everyone. From miracle cures to “weird symptoms” videos, it’s easy to turn to platforms like TikTok for health advice. However, information from social media is typically anecdotal, and designed to grab attention rather than reflect medical reality. Plus, incorrect information can spread fast on social media without being checked, making platforms like TikTok an unhelpful place to turn when self-diagnosing.
What are the dangers of googling symptoms?
1. Inaccurate information
There’s a vast amount of health information on the internet but not all of it is reliable. Some websites present themselves as medical resources when they are actually trying to sell you something. As a result, when googling symptoms, it can be difficult to identify trustworthy sources that genuinely align with your medical needs.
2. Missing important signs
Most health conditions are more easily treated if they are diagnosed at an early stage. For example, noticing changes in your moles and going to the doctor for them can help identify skin problems, like melanomas, before they get serious. Researching and wrongly self-diagnosing online can cause you to miss significant symptoms that your GP may be able to pick up on.
3. Health anxiety
Googling symptoms can lead to unnecessary health anxiety. Websites or chatbots often list every possible cause of a symptom, making it easy to focus on the worst-case scenario. For example, you might worry that a headache signals a brain tumour, when it’s far more likely to have a common cause such as stress or eye strain. In some cases, googling symptoms can fuel ‘cyberchondria’ – a type of hypochondria (health anxiety) that can lead to a vicious cycle of worry, making you hyper-aware of every little ache and bodily sensation.
How to use online health information safely
It’s best to use online information to help you manage an existing condition and for general advice on healthy living, rather than for a diagnosis. However, we know researching symptoms online can be tempting. So, in addition to booking a GP appointment, if you do decide to Google your symptoms, try to follow these basic rules:
1. Use trusted websites
When googling symptoms, you may find the information you’re looking for on the Benenden Health site, or try NHS.uk and patient.info. These sites are medically verified and regularly updated. They also offer tips to help you manage mild conditions (e.g. stomach aches) at home.
2. Avoid overly promotional websites
Be wary of websites selling or promoting ‘miracle cures’ when googling symptoms. They can exaggerate benefits and are not always based on robust scientific evidence. If anything seems too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Use AI Overviews carefully
The AI Overview that pops up when you google symptoms can seem like a quick fix. However, the results aren’t always drawn from reliable sources. It’s important to look beyond AI summaries and verify information with trusted medical advice from a reputable site.
Tailored tools like ChatGPT Health represent a step toward personalised health guidance. They connect AI tools with apps like Apple Health to provide insights based on your own data and medical history. However, they are not intended for diagnosis or treatment, so you should still visit a doctor before self-diagnosing.
4. Take care with research papers
A huge amount of medical research is available to the public from a quick Google search of your symptoms. But just because an article sounds authoritative, it doesn’t mean it’s correct or up to date. Journal articles are also written for medical professionals rather than for patients, so it’s easy to misinterpret them if you don’t have a medical background.
When and why should you consult your GP?
A good rule of thumb is, if you are concerned enough to be googling symptoms, then it’s time to consult a medical professional.
Your GP has access to your medical records, knows your risk factors, and has the professional experience to ask the right questions. They're better equipped to assess your condition than a computer algorithm. They can also order tests to confirm a diagnosis and ensure you get the right treatment, helping to put your mind at ease and stop any lingering worries.
If you’re unsure whether your problem merits a GP visit, you can speak to your local pharmacist, or call NHS 111.
How Benenden Health can help you understand your symptoms
If you’re concerned about a symptom, the first thing you should do is speak to a medical professional. However, while waiting to see your GP, we understand you may want to Google symptoms and try to self-diagnose.
Benenden Health offers access to a range of healthcare services, including 24/7 GP Helpline and 24/7 Mental Health Helpline, giving you trusted, medical guidance without having to rely on search results.
Plus, once you’ve been a member for six months you can request access to diagnostic consultations and tests, and request physiotherapy assessment. For more health related advice, updates, and information, sign up to the Benenden Health newsletter or browse our services.
