5 Tips to Handle Conflicting Health Information

Go online or to your favorite social media app, and you’re bound to find a wide variety of health tips and opinions. Influencers may praise a supplement or remedy that worked for them. Doctors with social media presence may discuss a study on a promising new treatment. Even certain “official” recommendations may differ or change over time.

It can be confusing and stressful to make health decisions when there are so many voices making claims and giving advice — especially when they’re expressing different or opposing viewpoints.

But there are ways you can cut through the noise and make the right choices for you, your body, and your family. These tips can help you manage your health even when the information is overwhelming or conflicting.

1. Consider the Source

Identify trustworthy sources where you can look up information or find updated and official recommendations. These may include:

• Medical association websites (such as APA.org for mental health, ACOG.org for pregnancy and menopause, HealthyChildren.org for kids’ health, and Diabetes.org for diabetes)
• Reputable hospital systems’ sites (such as MayoClinic.org and Health.Harvard.edu)
• Peer-reviewed journals (such as the New England Journal of Medicine and the JAMA Network publications — these are geared directly toward the medical community)

“Peer-reviewed journals, medical associations, and hospital systems rely on rigorous scientific review and established standards of care,” says Christina P. Kantzavelos, a licensed psychotherapist in San Diego, who specializes in treating people with chronic conditions.

Science-based sources like these rely on tested evidence to make claims and are meant to provide unbiased information. They tend to not be influenced by trends or popularity, Kantzavelos explains.

2. Question the Intent

When you read new information, always question where it’s coming from and why and how it’s being offered.

“Headlines often oversimplify or exaggerate to grab attention,” points out John Abroon, M.D., a board-certified primary care doctor in New York City. Be sure to read the whole article to understand any details or nuance.

“It helps to look closely at what an article cites,” says Abroon. “If there’s no reference to a peer-reviewed study or an official guideline, be cautious.”

Remember that our favorite social media influencers may feel familiar and trustworthy, but posts can be designed to sell products or to illicit views and shares. And “they are often based on personal experience or opinion, which may not apply to everyone,” adds Kantzavelos.

3. Get Personalized Advice from a Healthcare Provider

A conversation with your healthcare provider can give you the context you need to not only understand if the information you’ve seen is accurate but also to learn how it applies to you.

It’s important to talk to your doctor or care team before trying anything new, like a treatment, supplement, diet plan, or even herbal remedy. Your provider “can explain whether the guidance applies to your personal health circumstances, factoring in your medical history and any conditions you’re managing,” Abroon says.

They can also point you to reputable studies or health advice.

4. Manage Stress to Help You Make Clear Decisions

Weeding through a glut of information can take a mental toll. If you’re stressed or feeling anxious about your health, your decision-making could be affected.

Consider putting down your phone or tablet and giving yourself a break from social media and the news. Doomscrolling has been linked to worse mental well‑being and psychological distress.

To approach your choices with more clarity, Kantzavelos recommends practicing nervous system regulation techniques:

• Grounding exercises: Notice five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This is a quick way to calm your nerves and feel less stressed.
• Breathwork: Slow, deep breathing can signal safety to the body. Try inhaling for four counts, then exhaling for six, and repeating.
• Movement: Gentle stretching or walking can release tension and improve your ability to regulate your emotions.
• Self-soothing rituals: When you’re overwhelmed, do self-care activities that make you feel less stressed. This could include listening to calming music, holding something soft, or practicing guided meditation.

You can also seek mental health support. If you don’t have a mental health provider, your doctor may be able to recommend one. You may also find one through people you know, local advocacy organizations, or support groups. Online directories such as the ones offered by the American Psychological Association and Psychology Today may be helpful, too.

Consider looking for a provider with experience seeing patients with chronic illness or health-related stress.

5. Consider Your Unique Situation

Medical decisions aren’t one-size-fits-all and shouldn’t be made based on trends or scare tactics. Ultimately, you know your body, lifestyle, personal challenges, and values better than anyone else.

Once you’ve looked closely and calmly at the information, talked to your provider, and weighed the potential risks and benefits, you should be equipped to make the right decision for you.

“It can be overwhelming to navigate,” Kantzavelos says. “But slowing down, asking questions, and seeking providers who are willing to collaborate rather than dictate — and who ultimately make you feel safe — can make a big difference.”