The questions you ask Google and the health advice you SHOULD get but don’t

The definitive answers to the 10 questions

INCREASING numbers of people regularly diagnose themselves by going online — indeed many now Google their symptoms before consulting a GP or pharmacist, according to a recent survey. ‘We live in a digital world and young people in particular regard it as the norm,’ says Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard.

‘But the problem with Googling your symptoms is that the results are only going to reflect the information you put in — and not the bigger picture, what else is going on in your life, your medical history, and so on. Therefore, the answer will not be tailored to you — and some of the results can be very alarming. Not only that, but information about tests and medication can vary between countries.’

The advice could also be wrong. So what are the burning health questions driving people to Dr Google? As you will see from the top ten questions here (identified by Google Trends and ranked in popularity), the questions are sometimes surprisingly mundane.

But will the internet give you the right answer? We asked leading experts to

provide the useful information you can really trust.

1 IS TONSILLITIS CONTAGIOUS?

DR GOOGLE SAYS: This question highlights Dr Google at its best —and worst. For while many sites give the correct answer, others say the exact opposite!

THE EXPERT: Tonsillitis itself is not contagious, explains Janet Wilson, a professor of otolaryngology and consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon.

‘Tonsillitis refers to inflammation of the tonsils — and it typically occurs due to infection from a number of viruses or a type of bacterium called streptococcus.’

Strictly speaking, you cannot ‘catch’ tonsillitis from someone else. However, ‘the viral or bacterial infections that cause it can be picked up from someone else who is infected, via coughs, sneezes, touching contaminated surfaces — or direct contact, such as kissing’, Professor Wilson says. This can lead to tonsillitis, as it causes an immune response which leads to inflammation of the tonsils. ‘But it’s likely you won’t get ill at all.’

Indeed, a study of more than 1,400 siblings of children with group A streptococcal sore throat found that just 4 to 5% caught the illness — ‘so transmission risk is very low even with close family contact,’ says Professor Wilson.

‘You’re certainly much less likely to develop it compared to highly contagious conditions such as measles, or even colds and flu.

‘What determines whether you get tonsillitis is your susceptibility — in particular, how the tonsil tissue responds — to bugs such as streptococci,’ she explains. ‘Up to 20% of us carry streptococci with no symptoms.

‘Your susceptibility may also vary over a lifetime. Some people only get tonsillitis in childhood, others only as adults, while some will suffer all the time.

‘What we do know is that after the age of eight, girls are more likely to get tonsillitis than boys — and by the age of 15, they are twice as likely. This may be linked to puberty and hormones.’

So why is this the most popular question on Google?

‘I suspect that it is because there is no vaccine against it — yet! — and because tonsillitis is one of the most common human diseases,’ suggests Professor Wilson.

2 WHAT IS SEPSIS?

DR GOOGLE SAYS: Type this question into the search engine and up will pop dozens of pages with information. But when it comes to treatment, a number of sites suggest certain vitamins and minerals (vitamin C and selenium in particular) can be a cure, which is misleading, say those with the real expertise.

THE EXPERT: ‘Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection goes into overdrive’, explains Dr Ron Daniels, chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust and a consultant in intensive care.

‘This can be due to anything from a urine infection or a bite to pneumonia. ‘In trying to fight the infection, the body over-reacts and attacks its own tissues and organs.

‘Blood vessels open up, causing blood pressure to plummet — and organs such as the heart and kidneys become starved of blood and oxygen. If not treated quickly, sepsis can rapidly lead to organ failure and death.’

Sepsis is also known as blood poisoning or septicaemia. ‘The three terms can be used interchangeably, but the latter is a bit old-fashioned,’ Dr Daniels adds.

‘It is one of the biggest killers after cancer and heart disease and the symptoms are often mistaken for everyday illnesses, such as flu or a minor viral infection.’

In Ireland, more than 14,000 cases of sepsis were recorded last year, and there is a death rate here from the illness of one in five patients.

‘Sepsis is a medical emergency — seek help urgently if you develop any of the following: slurred speech or confusion; extreme shivering or muscle pain, passing no urine (in a day); severe breathlessness; you feel like you’re going to die (a key symptom); mottled or discoloured skin.

‘Whatever you do, don’t waste time with vitamins and minerals,’ says Dr Daniels. ‘This idea is off the back of one small study published this year that found a high-dose intravenous drip of both helped patients in intensive care. ‘You need to get medical help. Over-the counter vitamin supplements won’t help.’

3 HOW TO STOP SNORING

DR GOOGLE SAYS: As well as perfectly reasonable tips, this search prompts a huge and baffling (and frankly, alarming-looking) array of gadgets, from jaw slings to mouth splints.

THE EXPERT: ‘Loud snoring can become grounds for divorce and people are also becoming more aware of the health risks associated with it — such as high blood pressure — so it’s easy to see why so many want advice,’ says Mike Dilkes, a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon and author of Stop Snoring The Easy Way: And The Real Reasons You Need To.

‘But while there are many “cures” you can buy on the internet, the vast majority will be a waste of time: and the biggest culprits are throat sprays.’

People who snore have a blockage of some sort — either in their nose or throat :‘ either way, this blockage makes it harder for air to pass through while they sleep,’ he explains.

‘A common cause is that when we sleep, the muscles in the mouth and back of the throat relax and obstruct the airway. Therefore, you need to tackle the blockage; and the theory that a throat spray is going to fix that is ridiculous.’

However, there are some remedies you’ll find online that may work. ‘One old favourite is sewing a tennis ball in to the back of your pyjamas,’ says Mr Dilkes. ‘It will stop you sleeping on your back, so the base of your tongue will not collapse into your throat.’

The best way to tackle snoring is to increase muscle tone in the airways, explains Mr Dilkes — start with the following exercise: Open your mouth as wide as possible, then poke your tongue out as far as you can. Hold the position and move your tongue in an up, down, side-to-side movement.

‘After two revolutions, hum the national anthem in as deep a pitch as possible until the end of the song or for at least two minutes, whichever comes first.’

Do this every night before bed. ‘You should start to notice a difference almost immediately,’ he suggests.

4 WHY AM I ALWAYS TIRED?

DR GOOGLE SAYS: With around 88 million results for this question, suggesting everything from a food intolerance to adrenal fatigue and leaky gut syndrome, how can you tell what’s the most likely cause?

THE EXPERT: ‘This is indeed one of my patients’ most common complaints,’ says Professor Stokes-Lampard.

‘By far the most common culprit is modern lifestyles: trying to do it all. Many people work full time, have kids and parents to care for, try to have the perfect home, go to the gym, and so on — no wonder they feel tired all the time.

‘Tiredness can also be a very common warning sign of stress and anxiety. ‘What indicates that tiredness could be a result of a medical condition is when it’s accompanied by another symptom,’ she adds.

‘For example, the most common medical reason for tiredness is an underactive thyroid, which can also cause a sensitivity to the cold, weight gain, constipation and depression.

‘Or if you feel tired and look pale, this could be a warning sign of anaemia. ‘Tiredness that’s something potentially more serious — including cancer — is when it’s accompanied by unexplained weight loss or bleeding and/or any new lumps and bumps under the skin. Symptoms such as these always warrant a trip to your GP — don’t rely on the internet.’

5 IS SHINGLES CONTAGIOUS?

DR GOOGLE SAYS: No. THE EXPERT: This is right — ‘you can’t “catch” shingles from someone else,’ explains Professor Judy Breuer, director of the division of infection and immunity at University College London.

‘Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.

‘After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in your nerves and can reactivate at a later stage, usually when your immune system grows weaker with age.

‘This reactivated illness is known as shingles.

‘Therefore, anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, but you don’t “catch” it.’

She adds: ‘Shingles is only contagious if you’ve never had chickenpox — but in this case, you will get chickenpox, not shingles.’

It is the shingles blisters that spread the virus — if they weep then the live virus can be inhaled by other people. The blisters can keep spreading the virus until the spots dry up, after around five to seven days. Shingles is not infectious before the blisters start.

6 HOW TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

DR GOOGLE SAYS: With more than 193 million results for blood pressure or hypertension, there is an overwhelming amount of advice, supplements and products, to choose from. But where do you start?

THE EXPERT: ‘Many people with high blood pressure want to avoid taking drugs for it, so I’m not surprised it’s such a searched-for question,’ says Gareth Beevers, an emeritus professor of medicine. He suggests the first step is to buy your own monitor to use at home. ‘It really is the best way to keep track of your reading,’ he says. ‘In terms of treatment, it