Appraising health-related language

MS.

PHILIPS: I really try to inform myself before and after I go to my doctor. I tried to read a lot of things and look up what my headaches could mean. But there’s so much information, and the doctor tells me about so many things that are often the exact opposite of what I read on the internet. It’s just an overload. I don’t know what and whom to believe anymore. MS.

PETERS: I often come back from my appointments, and then my son asks me what the doctor said. But I can’t remember, because he always uses many difficult words. So I started writing them down, and then I can look it up on the internet. That’s what my son told me to do. So when I get a new medication, I can also see on the internet how often I’m supposed to take it, even when I don’t remember what a doctor said about it. MR.

GREEN: My friends and I always talk about our health problems. It’s very helpful, because when one of us, for example, had already had high blood pressure, then we can share experiences, information, tips. One of my friends told me about how she has read that drinking red wine is good for the heart. So of course , that’s great news, especially since I have high blood pressure. Since then, I’ve been treating myself to a glass every now and then. Two years ago, my doctor said that I should limit my alcohol consumption, but that was such a long time ago, I don’t think that applies anymore.