When AI Becomes a Search Companion for Health
Oliver Moazzezi, an IT consultant who uses AI in his day-to-day work, turned to artificial intelligence not for a business solution, but in a moment of medical doubt. Over several years, a ringing in his ears, high blood pressure, fatigue, and muscle spasms nagged at him. After exhausting explanations from doctors—some suggesting anxiety—he decided to feed all his symptoms, plus a tick bite he’d suffered three years earlier, into an AI tool to uncover answers. What happened next would fuel a debate about the role of AI in personal health care.
The Turning Point: AI as an Assistant, Not a Doctor
Oliver didn’t reveal his Lyme symptoms or his bite to AI as a diagnosis. He instructed the system to consult verified medical sources, hoping to guide him toward credible information rather than to declare a disease. “I told it to look at verified medical sources… and I’ve not told it Lyme disease it’s telling me,” he explained. The results, while not labeled with a definitive disease, helped steer him toward seeking professional assessment rather than relying solely on AI conclusions.
From AI Insight to Private Testing
Following his AI-assisted inquiry, Oliver consulted a private doctor and underwent an antibody test that returned positive for Lyme disease. He credits the AI-driven approach with prompting him to push for answers when he felt unheard by the traditional healthcare route. “I felt like I was being a hypochondriac, I felt like no-one actually wanted to understand or look at all the things I was trying to explain to people quite eloquently.” The result, he said, validated his suspicion and spurred him to pursue treatment.
The Symptoms, the Struggle, and the Change in Life
Three years after the tick bite, Oliver’s life changed. He had been active, going to the gym three times a week and swimming regularly, but his symptoms—tinnitus, fatigue, high blood pressure, and muscle spasms—interfered with daily life. The tinnitus, at its worst, was so intrusive that he couldn’t hear natural sounds like leaves rustling or birdsong. “All I had was this massive high-pitched scream… it was horrific and it was day and night for weeks and months,” he recalled. Treatment brought some relief, and he noted that several symptoms, including tinnitus, have subsided, allowing him to appreciate the simple sounds of nature again—wind in the trees and birds in the morning.
Health Professionals Weigh In
Despite Oliver’s belief in the value of AI to provoke questions, medical experts emphasize that self-diagnosis remains risky. NHS and regional health bodies in the UK stress that while AI can support clinicians, it should not replace professional medical advice. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board issued a careful reminder: patients should speak with trained clinicians or use official guidance channels for care. An independent clinician’s interpretation remains essential to confirm any potential Lyme disease diagnosis.
Balancing AI Use with Clinical Care
Not everyone who supports AI in health sees the same level of risk. Some advocates argue that AI can empower patients by prompting more thorough investigations and better documentation of symptoms. Mrs. Tuckey, for instance, supported the use of AI to help people who have struggled to access information. “It’s often criticised but it’s our duty to sift out what is and isn’t potentially associated,” she said. Yet experts like Ella Haig, a professor of AI at Portsmouth University, caution that AI should be tied to professional medical guidance. “We could use these tools, but would we really trust what they give us without a discussion with a healthcare professional? I don’t think I would,” she noted.
A Cautious Path Forward
Oliver’s experience illustrates a broader healthcare question: how should AI tools be used in the search for medical explanations? They can empower patients to articulate symptoms and seek targeted care, but they are not substitutes for clinical assessment. The NHS has reiterated its stance as AI technologies develop: they should support clinicians while encouraging people to seek professional advice when unsure about their health.
The Bottom Line
Oliver remains grateful for his Lyme diagnosis and treatment, and he acknowledges the personal frustration about the care pathway he navigated. He hopes others who experience persistent symptoms—tinnitus, fatigue, or unexplained high blood pressure—will pursue professional evaluation and not rely solely on AI-assisted self-diagnosis. For those who do turn to AI, the message is clear: use it as a starting point to frame questions and gather credible information, then consult a trained clinician for confirmation and treatment.
In a world where technology increasingly intersects with medicine, the patient’s voice and professional medical guidance remain the compass guiding safe, effective care.
