Frustrated with no respite from recurring stomach pain after seeing several doctors, a 32-year-old Mathura man in Uttar Pradesh attempted to conduct his own surgery based on tutorials on YouTube.
DIY surgery turns disastrous
Raja Babu had been experiencing intense stomach pain for a few days. Not heeding medical advice, his condition continued. He decided to treat himself and purchased surgical equipment, anesthetics, and medications from a nearby medical shop and resorted to YouTube videos.
He spent Wednesday morning locked in his bedroom and proceeded with the operation by cutting himself up according to what he had learned on the internet. When the anesthesia, however, dissipated, he was hit by unbearable pain. Unable to stand it, he went outside shouting for assistance.
Family Shocked, Emergency Hospitalization
When he heard his cries, his family came to his rescue and took him to a local hospital immediately.
He had done the surgery on himself after watching YouTube videos.Rahul, Patient's Nephew
Rahul also disclosed that Raja Babu had undergone an appendix operation 18 years ago and had recently been experiencing stomach pain. Not satisfied with the medical procedure, he decided to undergo the operation himself.
Transferred to Agra for Advanced Treatment
When his health worsened, doctors at the district hospital shifted him to SN Hospital in Agra for more medical attention.
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that 70% of people search for medical advice online before consulting a doctor, and 35% of respondents admitted to self-diagnosing their health conditions using platforms like YouTube and Google.
India ranks among the top countries where people rely on YouTube for health advice, with a 40% increase in searches related to medical treatments over the last five years. A 2021 study in BMJ Global Health analyzed YouTube medical videos and found that over 60% contained misleading or incorrect medical information.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal/MSM)