This Is Not Medical Advice

We would like to be very clear about one thing: nothing on Well of Dreams is medical advice. Our articles explain everyday health topics in general terms. They cannot take account of your history, your medicines, your symptoms or the many small details that a professional would ask about in person.

Who writes the articles

The site is written by a small team using pen names. None of us is a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, dietitian, psychologist or therapist, and we do not present ourselves as experts. We read public health guidance and reputable reference material, explain it in plain words and suggest questions you might take to someone qualified. You can read more about us on the wellness writers page.

What this means in practice

• Do not start, stop or change a medicine or supplement because of something you read here. Ask a pharmacist or your prescriber first.
• Do not delay seeking care because an article suggests a symptom is often harmless.
• Do not use our pages to diagnose yourself, a child or a relative.
• Treat any product or service mentioned on the site as one option among many, not a recommendation for you.

When to contact a professional

As a rough guide, make an appointment with a GP, pharmacist or dentist if a problem has lasted longer than you expected, keeps returning, is getting worse or is affecting your sleep, work or relationships. Ask for help sooner for anyone who is pregnant, very young, older and frail, or living with a long-term condition.

When to get urgent help

Call your local emergency number straight away for chest pain or pressure, severe difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke such as a drooping face or sudden weakness, heavy bleeding, a seizure, collapse, or a serious allergic reaction. If you or someone else is thinking about self-harm or suicide, contact emergency services or a crisis line in your country now.

Mental health and stress topics

Our pieces on overthinking, grounding and stress describe common self-help techniques. They can be useful alongside professional support, but they are not treatment. If worry or low mood is with you most days, please talk to your GP or a talking-therapy service.

Caring for someone else

Articles in Caring for Parents share practical ideas, yet care systems, benefits and legal rules differ greatly between countries. Check the details with local services and, where decisions about health or finances are involved, with qualified advisers.

Accuracy

We revise articles when we find mistakes or when guidance changes, but we cannot guarantee that every page is complete or current. If you spot something that looks wrong, please tell us through the contact page and we will look at it carefully.

Reading about health can be a good first step. The next step, whenever it matters, is a conversation with someone qualified who can see you in person.