Med quiz - just how good is dr. Google?
 

Quite a few people in here seem to think that Google is far better than any doctor could possibly be. So, let's put it to the test.

In a number of rounds, I'll present cases. Using Google, you can do a differential diagnosis, and see if you're able to find out the most likely disease causing the symptoms.

A very simple case to start:

Round 1
Male
50 years old
semi-regular dizziness and fainting
occasional shortness of breath
chest pains

Have fun!

it came up with "sleazydream"

those are symptoms diabetes

didn't have to google that

BadDog on a good day.

heart problems?

but either way, if I was 50 and had those symptoms I wouldn't be googling it, I would be going to a doctor...

Low blood pressure, panic attack, possible heart attack. Could be a ton of different things. I didn't use google though..

cock suckers?

I call "incestuous desire"...

First hint:

The disorder that should be at the top of your DD will have you asking the following question to the patient:
"When do you experience fainting and/or shortness of breath?"

If the most likely possibility is indeed the correct one, the answer is likely to be:
"During exercise."

No takers?

Here's a second hint:

Without treatment, a new symptom is likely to develop within the next 2 years: death.

not enough oxygen. Collapsed lung? blocked arteries? cardiac arythmia?

Well before we can diagnosis him we should probably take the fat lady sitting off his chest, and the bag on his head off.

dr.google lol

If you wanted to make it less vague and have a tad bit of interaction.
I have had a whole list of assorted ailments I have had or deal with. I can easily describe one and even answer a few basic questions.

It's not that vague, actually.

The somewhat correct answer was heart disease, correct answers would be either aortic valve stenosis or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and the perfect answer was aortic valve stenosis due to a congenital bicuspid aortic valve.

Chest pains (angina) essentially tell you that heart disease is the biggest class of suspects, while fainting (syncope) and shortness of breath (dyspnea) make AS and HCM the biggest suspects in that class. The age and gender of the patient make AS due to a congenital bicuspid valve the #1 suspect, with HCM coming in a hair's breadth behind it.

Whether it's HCM or AS doesn't matter a great deal, though, since their being so much alike in symptoms means the cardiologist would do tests to differentiate between the two anyway.

Of course, there are several dozens of other possibilities, but none would be quite as high on the differential given the specific symptoms, the info about the patient and their own incidence.

For the record: if anyone recognizes these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible.

I'm calling Dr. House...