|
By Holly O'Dell
 Wayne Mondok |
Before the Internet, people ran to the doctor’s office at the slightest indication that something may be wrong or for a remedy to a minor discomfort. Today, answers to many medical questions are available 24/7 — with no waiting room and no co-pay. Here are a dozen Web sites that provide succinct, credible, and easy-to-understand health information.
AARP | http://www.aarp.org/health
Addressing its mission of enhancing quality of life as people age, AARP breaks down information into healthy living, conditions and treatments, hospitals and doctors, Medicare and private insurance, and long-term care. A separate site, aarpfitness.com, offers a free exercise library featuring hundreds of videos, member discounts to health clubs, and tools that help you track nutrition and activity.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | http://www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site extends beyond basic health topics by providing detailed information on environmental health, emergency preparedness, travelers’ health, and workplace safety. Users can also access data and statistics on a variety of conditions.
http://www.Drugs.com
Do you want to know common treatments for a particular condition? Are you unsure you understand exactly what a drug is supposed to do for you? Then check out this Web site, which houses a complete index of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, their common uses, potential side effects, and generic and brand names.
KidsHealth | http://www.kidshealth.org
Divided into three sections, this Web site offers information specifically for parents, kids, and teens. The section for kids makes information interesting and accessible, with resources such as a quiz on how the body works and kid-friendly recipes. The teens’ site, meanwhile, presents straightforward yet age-appropriate subjects, including hormonal changes, test-taking, and Internet safety.
Mayo Clinic | http://www.mayoclinic.com
The venerable clinic lives up to its reputation with a detailed site that features blogs and podcasts by medical experts, as well as pros and cons of common treatments for many different ailments. Its section “Ask a Specialist” allows users to ask health questions of Mayo physicians or search a library of answers they’ve already given. The site also features health management tools.
MedHelp | http://www.medhelp.org
Physicians answer questions that users post on this Web site’s forum. Covering dozens of specialties, MedHelp also features an extensive medical support community in which visitors can share their experiences with others who share their concerns and ailments.
http://www.Mybiopsy.org
For anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, it can be a scary and confusing time. MyBiopsy.org tries to ease some of that uncertainty with thorough information on different types of cancer. Pathologists have developed individual information sheets that include Q&As about specific cancers, an explanation of key terms, available treatment options, questions to ask your doctor, and even pictures of normal and diseased tissues.
National Institutes of Health | http://www.health.nih.gov
The National Institutes of Health Web site covers a wealth of health topics, news stories, and research highlights. The site also provides links to MedlinePlus (nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus), a health database maintained by the National Library of Medicine, and clinicaltrials.gov, where visitors can find information on more than 50,000 trials for specific medical conditions.
National Institute of Mental Health | http://nimh.nih.gov
This Web site lists common mental health disorders, their symptoms, treatment options, and where to find help. It also includes publications, research updates, and links to clinical trials.
Revolution Health | http://www.revolutionhealth.com
This Web site allows individuals to sign up for trackers, which, as the name suggests, follow daily trends in a patient’s blood pressure, blood glucose, body mass index, basal body temperature, and more. Users can write their own health-related blogs and participate in forums, some of which are led by health and nutrition experts.
The Scoop on Smoking | http://www.thescooponsmoking.org
This site from the American Council on Science and Health is geared toward teens. It includes information on the health effects of smoking, true stories from teens, quizzes to determine “your tobacco IQ,” and a section on quitting.
http://www.WebMD.com
Perhaps the most well known of the medical Web sites, the easily navigable WebMD offers reliable information on symptoms and treatments for a wide range of medical conditions. Hundreds of knowledge-packed articles, reviewed by medical doctors, are available. The site also features videos, a weight-loss “clinic” and personal health manager, information on clinical trials, and message boards and blogs
Doctor Knows Best
The Internet comprises a valuable resource for maintaining health and diagnosing problems. The following symptoms, however, suggest that it’s best to see a health professional in person.
* High fever
* Unexplained numbness
* Shortness of breath
* Lightheadedness or dizziness
* Sudden onset of pain
* Fast or irregular pulse
* Symptoms (i.e., cough, backache, nausea) that last several days
* Increased urination or thirst
* Sudden weight gain or loss
|
Email this page
Print this page
del.icio.us
digg
