5 Most Googled Health-Related Searches

People turn to Google, and other major search engines, every day for health related questions. Most of us have consulted “Dr. Internet” once or twice to attempt to self-diagnose a simple ache or pain. According to Medical Daily, when turning to the internet for medical advice, searchers only received the correct digital diagnosis 34 percent of the time, but that doesn’t stop consumers from googling about health-related topics each year. Here are the 5 most popular health related searches:

1. Hiccups – According to Google Trends, hiccups topped the list of trending health-related searches. Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. Hiccups can occur after a large meal, sudden excitement or a carbonated beverage. There are many ways some people claim to treat hiccups like drinking water, holding your breath or being suddenly surprised. 

2. Opioids/Addiction – There was a significant rise in the use of opioids in the United States. In October of 2017, the president declared a national public health emergency since more than 2 million Americans became dependent on or abused prescription pain pills and street drugs. As the addiction rate climbed to over 500%, so did the number of people curious about these drugs and addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is defined as a brain disease because drugs impact and change the way our brain functions. 

3. Snoring – You swear up and down that you don't snore, but in an effort to help your partner get some much needed sleep, you or your partner Google how to help both of you get some sleep. Weight loss, body position or treatment of allergies or nasal congestion may reduce or eliminate snoring. You can also speak with your physician about over-the-counter medications or devices to help reduce snoring. 

4. Fatigue – According the National Institutes of Health, one in five adults say fatigue is a common occurrence in their daily life. Fatigue may be caused for a variety of reasons including, a cold or the flu, sleep apnea, underactive thyroid, depression or anxiety, or a side effect of a medication or drug. Speak with your physician about fatigue, lack of energy or sleepiness. 

5. Keto Diet - Fellow googlers were searching for more ways to be healthy in 2017. The Keto diet, or Ketogenic diet, is a low carbohydrate, high fat diet that helps the body produce ketones in the liver to help boost energy levels. Ketosis is a natural process the body initiates to help us survive when food intake is low. The goal of the Keto diet is to force the body to breakdown fat without starving the body of calories. 

While the internet is a helpful tool for information on a variety of topics, it is not an accurate alternative for professional medical advice. BayCare Health System has recently developed a one-stop shop for consumers to use their symptoms to evaluate their condition. HealthNav™, an app available for Apple and Andriod devices, takes your symptoms and evaluates if the condition calls for a trip to a local emergency room, an urgent care center or a primary care physician. Download HealthNav today!

*Updated May 2018