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Self Treatment Tomfoolery

Eos of the Eons

Mad Scientist
Eos of the Eons
Joined
Jul 23, 2003
Messages
13,749

After reading on the Internet about a possible role of selenium in prostate cancer, the patient ingested 10 g of sodium selenite.
Despite intensive care treatment, he suffered a cardiac arrest and died 6 hours after ingestion.
This case illustrates the risks of failing to critically evaluate Internet information and exposes the myth that natural therapies are inherently safe.
​
He selected a dose himself, with catastrophic consequences.​
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http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/185_07_021006/see10169_fm.pdf

Natural or not, the dose matters. This guy took 10 000 times the recommended daily dose. I hear nutmeg can be fatal too.

Any other cases of such silly self treatments because of what somebody read somewhere?
 
Eos of the Eons said:
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/185_07_021006/see10169_fm.pdf

Natural or not, the dose matters. This guy took 10 000 times the recommended daily dose. I hear nutmeg can be fatal too.

Any other cases of such silly self treatments because of what somebody read somewhere?
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I recently posted a link on this thread that recommended some wildly insane uses for hydrogen peroxide. Here's one case where it was misused fatally.

Excerpt:
If you search the medical literature, you won't find any rigorous scientific studies showing this treatment works. You will, however, find a number of cases in which hydrogen peroxide, used internally, caused fatal embolisms and blood disorders.
 
Dogdoctor's post includes some very sad stories at the end of it too.

The childrens' deaths are even sadder than that of the 75 year old man in the OP.
 
Eos of the Eons said:
Dogdoctor's post includes some very sad stories at the end of it too.

The childrens' deaths are even sadder than that of the 75 year old man in the OP.
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Agreed.
It really bothers me to stumble onto such deceptive websites without actively seeking them out. How does the average person stand a chance in avoiding this stuff when it presents itself on the internet so easily? Too bad there isn’t a Google Safe Search Option equivalent for disreputable sites.

Someone here (I forget who) had posted this URL not long ago.
http://www.quackometer.net/?page=quackometer

You’ve probably seen it. I’ve been trying it out here and there and so far so good. Do you know if it is reliable enough to recommend to others? I have little experience with it and would find it to be a great tool in our arsenal against misinformation. It's appears accurate... at least the few times I've used it.

I think websites like the one Dog Doctor referenced and Snopes go a long way in improving awareness. I used to think I was wasting my time checking suspicious claims and stories e-mailed by friends and family, but lately many of them have begun using these tools themselves. Few want to be accused of sending fraudulent information. We just have to call people on it as politely as possible.
 
Serenity said:
I think websites like the one Dog Doctor referenced and Snopes go a long way in improving awareness. I used to think I was wasting my time checking suspicious claims and stories e-mailed by friends and family, but lately many of them have begun using these tools themselves. Few want to be accused of sending fraudulent information. We just have to call people on it as politely as possible.
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So good to hear about loved ones and friends using more tools to evaluate information! The more awareness, the better people can start to avoid scenarios that started the thread. You're so right about the politeness.

I think I have an inborn quackometer along with my past education, but I like how easy the quackometer site is to use. It certainly can't hurt to recommend it! It's a good guideline at least.

Here is one more resource: http://skepdic.com/vitacon.html#6
 
Eos of the Eons said:
So good to hear about loved ones and friends using more tools to evaluate information! The more awareness, the better people can start to avoid scenarios that started the thread. You're so right about the politeness.

I think I have an inborn quackometer along with my past education, but I like how easy the quackometer site is to use. It certainly can't hurt to recommend it! It's a good guideline at least.

Here is one more resource: http://skepdic.com/vitacon.html#6
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http://skepdic.com/vitacon.html#6[/quote
Thanks Eos, I value your opinion on these issues.

Btw, your current avatar is nice and all, but I really miss your Samoyed avatar. That cute, fluffy, teddy bear with this innocent and curiously intelligent look that I framed in my mind to be a reflection of your essence. Sorry to bring this up here, but I just had to say it.

Carry-on the good work!
 
This thread made me think of people taking colloidal silver and developing argyria (wikipedia page links to several famous cases). It's easy to find lots of colloidal silver for sale, and devices for making your own.
 
I'm glad some people are trying to provide the positive info easily. unfortuntately, ANY extra effort to get real information seems to be enough of a barrier to prevent them from going after it.

MAybe someone can write a program that puts a visual disclaimer on any site that you are viewing if it determines its accuracy questionable.
 
Serenity said:
Too bad there isn’t a Google Safe Search Option equivalent for disreputable sites.

Someone here (I forget who) had posted this URL not long ago.
...
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You will be pleased to know that the Quackometer does now include a 'Google Safe Search' like button that you can add to internet explorer. Install from the quackometer web site, then click this button to see if the page you are currently on is complete quackery.
 
lecanardnoir said:
You will be pleased to know that the Quackometer does now include a 'Google Safe Search' like button that you can add to internet explorer. Install from the quackometer web site, then click this button to see if the page you are currently on is complete quackery.
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FANTASTIC!!!! :thanks

I just installed it after needing to update the Google toolbar and it works perfect. This is a convenient feature I plan on recommending to friends & Family. The increased convenience will surely improve the odds of them utilizing it on a regular basis. You made my day. :)

Here's the link for anyone else interested.
 
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