Mary asks…
Why doesn’t Yahoo show a disclaimer/caution notice here in regard to answers given about health and medicine?
So many people, especially women who are concerned they may be pregnant or have other health/medical conditions, post questions here on Yahoo Answers, looking for genuine answers if not advice to their health matters and problems.
But although a lot of people mean well here on Yahoo Answers, not all answers given by people are always genuine/helpful as they can be misinformed, et cetera and I think it’s always best (particulary with serious if not urgent) medical, health queries that persons arrange consultation with their doctor rather than resort to finding the answers on the internet.
So shouldn’t Yahoo Answers consider placing disclaimer or caution notices on here about what indeed may well be a better approach to getting answers on personal health matters offline, rather than risk any and usually unspecialised views/responses online?
Wize Guy answers:
I guess the generic legal disclaimer covers that.
I wouldn’t rely solely on advice given on Yahoo! Answers for anything. I have posted a few questions, not about health, that did provide useful information on which to base decisions in real life.
The questions I answer are ones that I know an answer for. I’m a Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in real life, fully licensed and tested, etc… When I answer something, I know that the person asking it doesn’t just want to hear “talk to your doctor” every time. Duh! I’m sure they already knew that. So, what I do is try to give the person information that might help them figure-out what is happening or about what would happen with a certain course of treatment. I think this is helpful and doesn’t tell anyone to do anything in particular. The most important part of my answers is to talk to your doctor, they may do this and this and this if it really is that.
I have seen examples of people voting best answer on a question I answered where I knew my answer was right and the best answer is wrong (with potentially deadly results). Specifically, one I answered about a person having trouble with their Maxair Autohaler. Those things are odd and don’t work the way normal inhalers do. I know that because I’m a Respiratory Therapist (RRT). The best answer was to try using a spacer with it. That wouldn’t work because the Autohaler is breath actuated and would not operate with a spacer… Some of the askers chose bad answers. I know that I was right on that question for 100% sure. Someone out in Yahoo! Answer land about a week ago was trying to use a spacer with their Maxair Autohaler and hopefully hasn’t died from their asthma as a result. I of course advised them to talk to their doctor and provided information about how the Autohaler is supposed to work. Other askers seem to want advice about what disease they may have and how to treat it because they are in America and middle to low income people who can’t afford health insurance or a trip to the doctor’s office. That’s really sad. However, there are things that should be done directly with a doctor, which is most of the things in the health section.
When it comes to people sharing experiences or giving an educated opinion on something, I think that can be helpful. That way, when a person talks to their doctor, they might be able to throw a possible cause out or ask their doctor about something specific.
I think a special caution or warning would be a good idea. I also think that Yahoo! Answers is generally helpful and many people have likely received accurate information about what they were asking about from people with real health care training or from people who have been there too.

Joseph asks…
Who agrees with an article on yahoo “Obama health care will stop insurer abuses?
I agree Obama’s plan will put an end to “supposed” insurance abuses. If you drive a business out of business then you don’t have to worry about their abuses anymore.
My question is what recourse do we have when (not if because it will happen) the government does the same thing or worse?
The insurance companies can’t confiscate your pay check like the government can. You can change insurance companies if you don’t like them or drop them entirely, you won’t have that option with the government because you will either be fined or jailed for failure to comply.
Wize Guy answers:
Correct.
Obama care will replace insurer abuses with government abuses, which are 100 times worse.
Robert asks…
glittches on yahoo food, yahoo news, yahoo health and yahoo buzz?
whenever yahoo refers to an unhealthy food as “the worst food” it is a glitch because the quality of a food should be based on taste, not on health .
just because a tuna, cabbage, onion and sugar casserole is healthier than pizza or chinese food does not make it better.
Wize Guy answers:
I agree with that. They need to change things soon.
Thomas asks…
Yahoo health says I am “high risk” due to my weight?
I am 5’6 I weigh 110 and my waist is 24 inches. My BMI is 17.8. Yahoo health said I am high risk due to my weight. I think I am pretty healthy, but should I consider doing something about my weight or should I not worry about it?

Wize Guy answers:
17.8 is NOT a high BMI for your height. You might want to check another BMI calculator!!
You don’t have anything to worry about!!
carla
James asks…
What sub section in Yahoo groups under health so you think I should look in if I want to talk about sex?
I have taken out some of the categories as they did not apply. I have narrowed it down to these.
Advice
Alternative Medicine
Fitness and Nutrition
Health Care
Reproductive
Teen Health
Women’s Health
More Health & Wellness Categories
Wize Guy answers:
Women’s Health for females, Men’s Health for males. However, read the Community Guidelines very carefully before posting anything regarding sex. Since this site is open to ‘children’ as young as 13, there are very strict rules about what can and can’t be posted. Improper material will be reported and removed as a violation, points will be deducted — and if it happens enough, your account may end up permanently suspended.
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