For some, the Internet is another gimmick, another place where computer nerds who have too much time on their hands choose to play with a machine rather than to meet people. The Internet, they say, will come and go like  the SONY Betamax and so many other gadgets we have seen in the past. Judge for yourself. The following are a few real life cases to illustrate why I think that this time is different:

Marfan Syndrome

She came in for advice regarding left arm pain for a few days. It turned out, she had received several intravenous infusions of vitamins and high doses of minerals from a doctor in New Jersey, in an attempt to treat her lingering fatigue. This symptoms, started some her  3-4 years ago while still in college.

The diagnosis of her complaint was easy, she had a chemical phlebitis caused by the vitamins’ irritation; with some luck and time, her own body would heal the injury. Another matter was the fatigue!. She had been an energetic young woman in the first 2 years of school but it is not clear whether it happened following an illness or how,  but she never regained her strength, her grades suffered , her social life diminished dramatically and she became essentially paralyzed by a Syndrome of Chronic Fatigue. She had visited numerous physicians and in desperation turned to an unorthodox clinic which promptly diagnosed  her as suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiencies!.

I was struck by her appearance; she was thin and tall and her arms were long. I though to myself that she may have been born with Marfan Syndrome. (a genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency; in the production of  fibrillin which may be associated with her typical appearance but also may result in severe cardiac and eye complication). Since her husband, who was present during our  visit, was in the computer industry I asked them if they would consider a look in  the Net. We just might learn something.

Following a simple search, an attractive answer surfaced in The  University of Washington  page on Marfan: "severe fatigue in Marfan patients". Was this the answer?. Perhaps, if it wasn’t however, it was a sigh of relief to know that there could be an explanation for her symptoms and that hundred of people were available to be approached.
 

Alopecia Areata

I remember when Mr. U. came to the office to ask for advice regarding areas of baldness he had developed on his face. I new it was alopecia,  and remember that once we ruled out several common causes, there were no effective treatments for the condition. He was quite disturbed by this.

During his next visit however, despite still having the same problem, he appeared much happier. I asked what's new?. His answer was: "you are talking the world's foremost expert in Alopecia Areata. I even correspond with renowned physicians around the world. All thanks to The Internet"

These are somewhat unusual cases which merited additional reading, research or consultation. You can learn  in  one search hour,  more about the issues you are interested in (including medicine), than sitting in your nearest library all afternoon. The Internet combines the marvels of the telephone, the television, the nearest public free library and the Post office. Try it!.