Body & Soul warning

[Ray the DJ]

I believe that anyone asking for medical help by posting a question in 'Body and Soul', should be warned that they are not necessarily getting answers from qualified people and that they should consult a professional.

Diagnosis of medical problems cannot be made from reading a short question posted here.  One needs to know the full scenario, background and mental condition of the person.

Children, the elderly and other vulnerable people could take the wrong advice and suffer as a result.

I little knowledge of something is worse than no knowledge at all.

Your thoughts please.

[Greedyfly]

I do believe that people know this and I am sure I have seen a warning on this site somewhere clearly stating this!   Have you had a bad experience?

[Ray the DJ]

No personal bad experience, but I see people asking about lumps in breasts and bleeding during pregnancy. 

With subjects as serious as those they need immediate professional advise.  Not opinions from any old Tom, Dick or Harry.

[sweetheart]

Yes I do agree with you Ray. It's very important that people don't turn to the website as a first point of call - seriously dangerous. I say this because I too, am realizing the kind of questions members are asking, are very serious.

[Philtaz]

That's why you'll find most of us who answer frequently/infrequently in this category always advise a trip to the GP somewhere in our posts, regardless of past experiences/advice given.

[smudge]

Ray, This has been mentioned before. We all know that the Doc knows best & advise questioners of this, but some people just like to share their ailments with us 'cos we're nice & friendly!  

[sweetheart]

Calm down everyone.

What I am trying to say is that there is nothing wrong with a little bit of advice, BUT it is important that the questioner does not turn away from professional advice thinking that the advice on answer bank will be sufficient. For example, asking if it's ok to have a lump on your breast. It seems that the questioner will await for a reply from someone and then go to her GP after that! Although not everyone is guilty of this, there are still some people who are. So I think that is why Ray kindly pointed out his thoughts. Thanks.

[mullein]

i have an advanced herbalist qualification, and i know that people using this site should go to the doctor if they are worried about any ailments, also they should tell the doctor what alternative medicines they are using,as some alternative remedys can stop medication working,i still think the site is good for people to ask others about any ailments or problems,sometimes it is good to hear about other peoples experiences,and also to know you are not alone,allthough i have a qualification i am not allowed to diagnose you actually need to train for about 5 years for that,it is the same as when you go into a health shop you tell them what is wrong with you and they suggest things to try, they are not allowed to diagnose by law,,,, the trouble with the staff in health shops is they go in for the hard sell,,and it costs a fortune.it is a lot cheaper to grow herbs yourself and make herb teas etc,,, suffolk seeds are the best supplyier of herb seeds and they are quite reasonable,,mullein