Finding Credible Health Information
There's a lot of health information available on the internet these days. From personal blogs to online magazines to government websites and beyond, advice about your health can be found at every click.
Much of this health information is useful, especially when you have a condition like chronic dry eye. The symptoms are not always easily definable, and it can take so long to get diagnosed.
But when getting health info online, it is important to know who the writers are and where they get their information. This can ensure you get the best, most up-to-date, and most credible information. If you have a trusted healthcare provider, you can also talk to them about where to find credible health information.
Why do I have to be careful about where I find health info?
It is great that there is so much information available online. This can arm you with knowledge. But this information can come from anyone without any personal knowledge of chronic dry eye – or any medical knowledge at all.
It is common for people to want to share what worked for them. If you found something that really helped your chronic dry eye, you would probably want to share it with others, too! But it is important to remember that everyone's body and health history is different. What works for someone might not work for you – and could even make your condition worse.
Tips for finding reliable information
- The author's name should be easy to find. See if you can find out information about the author. Are they a healthcare professional? Do they have experience in this field? If so, the information can probably be trusted.
- Check if the article lists sources. Where did the author find his or her information? The sources listed should also be from trusted websites or organizations.
- Ask yourself if the article is trying to sell something. Is the author selling you a product? If so, you should keep in mind that the information may not be based on science.
- The information should come from health research done by many experts. Research is how healthcare professionals learn about certain health topics.
- Just because the website or organization sounds credible does not mean that it is. A lot of organizations have names that seem trustworthy. Do not just trust the name.
- If you are unsure about information that you have found online, ask your healthcare professional for advice. Bring a printed copy or show them on your phone at your next appointment for advice.
Where to look
In general, it is best to look for information from large health organizations or government websites like that of the CDC. Some examples of websites that have good, credible health information are:
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