Family Medicine Net Guide Vol. 1, No. 1 (July 2003)

Feature Article

Allergies 101: Myth vs. Fact
If you suffer from an itchy, runny nose, watery eyes, and incessant sneezing, you may be one of the more than 50 million Americans affected by allergies. But diagnosing this common condition isn’t always easy; misconceptions surrounding the condition abound. In this article, we will separate fact from fiction, dispel several common misapprehensions, and provide some treatment information to make allergies a bit more bearable.

Cover Story

Are We There Yet? The Search for Online Medical Information
While it is comforting to know that the answers to your questions are likely somewhere online, the daunting task of untangling the various strands and links to find what you’re looking for can be overwhelming. Where do you start when trying to match a symptom set to its causative disease? Which site represents your best chance at finding information on possible side effects from the new medication your doctor is considering prescribing for you? These questions can be answered quickly and accurately if you know where to look.

Symptom Report

Chest Pain: Medical Emergency or Bad Burrito?
Chest pain is almost certainly the single most feared individual symptom that affects human beings. Understanding the different types of chest pain, and their possible causes, can be the key to distinguishing between these extremes, and to alleviating unnecessary anxiety while seeking medical care when required. In this article, we’ll direct you to online resources that can let you know what might be causing your chest pain, along with what to do about it.

The Good Life

Osteoporosis Risks: No Bones About It
The effects of osteoporosis can manifest completely out of the blue, with no warning. Patients with this condition have bones that become extremely porous and brittle, so much so that they are subject to fracture with even the slightest stresses. Unfortunately, symptoms often times fail to surface until it’s too late, leaving a person to discover that they have the disease only after suffering a fracture. We’ll tell you more about this condition, including discussion of the ways to reduce your risk, in this edition of The Good Life.

INTERNET LISTINGS

Medical Sites
Access top-quality sites offering information, interactive tools, and other resources, by visiting the URLs listed in this section. Sites are categorized according to the disease, condition, or medical concern they address.

Professional Organizations
We link to dozens of professional organizations, along with organizations made up primarily of patients, each of which offers value through its home website.

Symptom Checkers
Got a headache? Stuffy nose? Inexplicable earlobe pain? The Internet can help. Each of the websites listed in this section will allow you to answer questions about the symptoms you are experiencing, find out what condition or conditions might be causing them, and make recommendations about your course of action.

Support & Discussion Groups
One of the most powerful applications of the Internet is its ability to bring together patients from all walks of life, to share experiences, advice, and support with one another. Find links to online support and discussion groups, usually carried out through message board or chat technology, in this section.