If there is such a thing as too much information, the Internet treads dangerously close to that territory. Or perhaps more accurately, too much misinformation. The endless flow of online resources now make it possible for Web surfers to track down anything from their grandmother's secret chocolate chip cookie recipe to the best way to build a better bomb.
Few professions are more involved in the information onslaught than the medical field.
Rather than phoning the family physician, many patients these days are taking a high-tech shortcut, jumping online to do a little research of their own before consulting a professional. Doctors agree that the Internet offers a double-edged sword when it comes to tracking down medical information. On one hand, patients have more access to facts about illnesses and diseases, and can find some peace of mind through the information they uncover. On the other hand, it's difficult for the layman to distinguish between what's true and what's actually a sales pitch disguised as medical fact. With thousands of health sites on the Web, consumers have more information than ever to wade through.