A new study shows 61 per cent of people turn to the World Wide Web for medical information when feeling unwell.
And 31 per cent have convinced themselves they are seriously ill when feeling under the weather.
Forty three per cent of people have assumed that their tummy upset was a far more serious case of food poisoning, and 38 per cent believed that their common cold was an attack of influenza.
Almost one in five suffering from indigestion escalated their symptoms to those of a heart attack.
The survey of 3,000 people, conducted by Engage Mutual, reveals more than a third of those with headaches have convinced themselves they had a migraine, while 28 per cent of people with abdominal pain have mistakenly self-diagnosed appendicitis.
Twenty eight per cent of Brits have misdiagnosed their stiff joints for arthritis, while 18 per cent have mistaken a hang-over for something they ate, or food poisoning.
Incredibly, 16 per cent of migraine sufferers have been convinced they had a brain tumour and 15 per cent of people who have felt short of breath concluded they had lung disease.
And 16 per cent have self-diagnosed lower back ache as kidney disease.
In fact, just over half of those polled admit they consult the internet as a first port of call when feeling ill, prior to visiting a doctor.
Tina Clare at Engage Mutual said:
“We seem to be a nation of worriers when it comes to our health. Forty six per cent of people are worried about getting a terminal illness, and many are convincing themselves that everyday symptoms are indicative of serious ill health.
“While the internet can be a great information resource, it is always best to see a doctor when ill.”
“Not only can a medical professional put your mind at rest, they can also check out all the symptoms and tell you what the matter really is.”
One in six folk frequently convince themselves they are walking around with a terminal illness. Nearly a quarter of respondents telephone NHS Direct if they feel ill, with people visiting a nurse or doctor an average of just two or three times a year, despite worrying about illness far more often.
Nineteen per cent of survey respondents admitted to having felt embarrassed when they realised their symptoms were not connected to anything serious. And 11 per cent have been advised by a doctor that they were slightly over-reacting.
Tina Clare continues: “It is important to keep things in proportion. Not least because over worrying, and high stress levels can have a negative impact on our health.
“Take action to stay as healthy as you can with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. And bear in mind that research on the internet is not a substitute for consulting a health professional.”
10 MIS-DIAGNOSED HEALTH CONCERNS
| actual complaint |
fear of |
|
| tummy upset |
food poisoning |
43 per cent |
| common cold |
flu |
38 per cent |
| headache |
migraine |
35 per cent |
| lower abdominal pain |
appendicitis |
28 per cent |
| stiff joints |
arthritis |
28 per cent |
| indigestion |
heart attack |
19 per cent |
| hung over |
food poisoning/
something eaten
|
18 per cent |
| migraine |
brain tumour |
16 per cent
|
| shortness of breath |
lung disease |
15 per cent |
| lower back ache |
kidney disease |
16 per cent |
- ENDS –
For further information please contact:
Kathryn McLaughlin
Engage Mutual Assurance
Tel: 01423 855245
Notes to editors:
- Engage Mutual Assurance is a trading name of Homeowners Friendly Society Ltd (HFSL), Registered and incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992, Registered number 964F and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Engage Mutual Funds Limited (EMFL) and engage Mutual Insurance Ltd (EMIL). Both HFSL and EMFL are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). HFSL’s Register number is 110072, EMFL’s Register number is 181487. EMIL is authorised to conduct general insurance business by the Financial Services Commission Gibraltar and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority for the conduct of UK business. EMIL’s FSA Register No is 485680. You can check this on the FSA’s Register by visiting the FSA website www.fsa.gov.uk or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234.
- Engage Mutual is one of the UK’s larger mutuals, providing simple, value for money savings, protection and investment products. It currently helps over 444,000 customers of all ages to protect, preserve or enhance their welfare, with some of the most straightforward products on the market. Engage Mutual prides itself on being a family-oriented, modern mutual, providing products that help enable households of all kinds to plan their finances to help meet their future needs. More information on Engage Mutual is available at www.engagemutual.com
- Engage Mutual supports mutuality through links with the Association of Financial Mutuals and Mutuo.
- Engage Mutual Funds Limited (EMFL) is a provider of the Child Trust Fund direct and in partnership with organisations including Yorkshire Building Society.
- EngageMutual has been the title sponsor of the Rugby Super League since 2005 and has extended its agreement to 2010
- Engage Mutual announced its entry into the health cash plan market in July 2008 following an agreement of partnership with Wakefield & District Hospital’s Contributory Scheme (WDHCS). Further to this, 30,000 health cash plan customers transferred from Premier Health Benefits (part of WDHCS) to Engage Mutual Insurance Limited.
- Ends all -
