Christopher Wanjek, LiveScience's Bad Medicine columnist, reported recently on a study by the Pew Internet Project about the abundance of unsubstantiated trust many people put into health reports they have found on the Internet. Millions use the Internet to search for explanations, treatments and alternatives to health problems from the minor to the serious, possibly fatal illnesses. They are not always discerning in their reading said the Pew study.
It seems that 25% of the people who search the 'Net for health information do NOT check the sites and statements for date, source information or other indications of veracity and applicability to their needs. It is a dangerous situation. According to these figures 110 million Americans search the 'Net for information on matters of health. It is, writes Wanjek, a dangerous situation because of the plethora of bad or questionable facts and advice available on the Web.
On the other hand, how large a percentage of print media readers checked out each article of health interest by looking at journals and study results? One of Wanjek's suggestions was to use common sense – something which is too often in short supply. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
He specifically offers the example of (he suggests) taking a deep breath and running a search on "urine therapy". I followed his advice and found that Google had pages of links on this “therapy”. I had never even thought of drinking my own wastes, short of being lost in the nearest desert without a canteen or a Starbucks nearby. I hope that my readers will forgive me for not offering myself as a vessel to imbibe this wonderful liquid of my own making. If you, dear reader, want to give it a try, please let us all know your reaction, enjoyment and the eventual benefits to your health - if you find any.
Biomedx's website - one of the search results - sounds scientific but introduces its urine therapy page by stating that, "Urine therapy can be a very effective healing modality. Sometimes when all else fails, urine therapy will turn a person around."
Biomedx suggests two methods of self-administration of your self-made medicine. First, use your own in a "homeopathic fashion":
First, collect midstream urine in a clean cup or container. This should be a clean catch, meaning the genital area (important for women in particular) has been cleaned beforehand. To 1/6 ounce of distilled water in a sterile bottle, add one drop of fresh urine. Cap and shake 50 times. Take one drop of this mix and add to another 1/6 ounce of distilled water and shake 50 times. Take one drop of this mix and add to 1/6 oz. of 80 to 90 proof vodka which acts as a preservative.
Article comments
1 - Deano
I suspect that what we will probably see in the near future, is some form of online "Quality" guarantee or symbology, much like people look for Verisign when making an online purchase.
Sites could apply for recognition as a dependable information source, get vetted, ranked and rated. Reputable sites would then be tagged, possibly showing up higher on Google or searches as a reward.
2 - Christopher Wanjek
Google news altered me to this article from Howard that mentions me and one of my columns. For the record, I thought his "chocolate" article was great, certainly not one of the vapid ones I was referring too. Right on, Howard. And you're a brave, brave man for venturing into the (web) world of urine therapy.