First, trust your intuition. The old adage, "If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is" applies here. Try to stay as objective as possible as you review and consider the information you find.

Always confirm your findings. Either share them with your doctor, or duplicate them by finding an additional citation, either online or in print.

Avoid trying to diagnose yourself. You’ve probably seen diagnostic tools, sometimes referred to as symptom checkers, on health Web sites. You can create additional problems for yourself by relying on them to be accurate. You can’t risk being wrong, and the mere power of suggestion about symptoms you may or may not have, can fool you. Besides, you’ll need to see a doctor eventually for a prescription or treatment orders.

Separate fact from fiction or opinion. You’ll find dozens of self-proclaimed "doctors" online who allege to have discovered or developed a special cure, an alternative treatment, a substance you can swallow or apply to relieve your symptoms, or a device that will solve your health challenges. Yes, there are some out there who may have some answers, including alternative therapies, but you’ll need to separate the charlatans and quacks from the real professionals and their answers, or you won’t get the help you need. You may waste your money, too.

Don’t believe testimonials unless you can corroborate them. You won’t know which are fact or which are fabricated unless you talk to the people who provided them, or can find more information about the claims they have made.

Make sure the information you find is the most current. New discoveries and research findings are published every day, sometimes contradicting previous studies, and it is important we know the most current thinking on any medical subject.