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.
Allergy Information From the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Visit this website for the latest allergy statistics, the “Focus
on Allergy” factsheet summarizing the latest news and information
and the “Living With Allergies” factsheet offering advice
and coping tips, and the downloadable versions of the pamphlets Airborne
Allergens: Something in the Air and Understanding the Immune System. www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/allergies.htm
FANKIDS: Food Allergy News for Kids
Go here for basic information about food allergies, a condition experienced
by more than six million Americans. Kids with food allergies and their
parents can learn about the importance of carefully reading food labels,
and other tips and advice on living with food allergies and preventing
outbreaks. The FANKID Clubhouse provides a place for children to read
articles and share stories, jokes, recipes, ideas, tips, and artwork.
Information on the PAL (Protect a Life From Food Allergies) Program, which
promotes education for caregivers and friends about food allergies and
how to identify the symptoms of an allergic reaction, is also provided. www.fankids.org
Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA): Patient Information
The APUA is dedicated to promoting proper antibiotic use, and curbing
antibiotic resistance worldwide by raising public awareness of its dangers
through education and research projects. Visitors to this site are counseled
on how and when to take antibiotics, instructed on the problem of multiple
drug resistance and the factors that contribute to antibiotic resistance,
and shown how such a seemingly trivial act as washing your hands can play
a big role in reducing the spread of infection. Other resources available
here include a table of common antibiotics, answers to questions about
the use of antibacterial products, Spanish-language resources, and pamphlets,
factsheets, and newsletters. www.tufts.edu/med/apua/Patients/patient.html
Infection Spotlight
The Infection Spotlight site provides important information all patients
should know about the dangers of antibiotic overuse and antibiotic resistance.
Visitors can read articles outlining the appropriate use of antibiotics,
explaining the types of illnesses antibiotics can be prescribed to treat,
and covering other key facets of this subject. The site’s “E-Tools”
include an interactive “Antibiotic Resistance Tutorial,” another
tutorial entitled “Understanding Viruses and Bacteria,” a
“Virtual Kitchen” that demonstrates measures patients can
take to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in their homes, and
another tool that compares the different symptoms of common respiratory
conditions. www.infectionspotlight.com
Johns Hopkins Arthritis: Patient’s Corner
Patients will find an animated representation of the various delivery
methods for arthritis drugs, a rheumatoid arthritis self-assessment tool,
instructions for giving subcutaneous injections, an overview of the benefits
of exercise for patients with arthritis, answers to frequently asked questions
about clinical trials, factsheets for commonly prescribed arthritis medications,
and archived versions of the Arthritis Center quarterly newsletters. www.hopkins-arthritis.som.jhmi.edu/corner/corner.html
ra.com: The Changing World of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) looking for information about
their condition should definitely check out this site. It offers information
and advice that can help patients with RA improve their daily lives, a
catalog of devices that make living and working with RA easier, a collection
of the latest books and guides devoted to people living with RA, an “essential
guide to the best of the Internet” when it comes to RA, a drug guide,
the latest news, and an overview of this condition that explains what
causes it and how it can be treated. www.ra.com
Asthma: Common Questions, Quick Answers
The Virtual Children’s Hospital, one of the Internet’s best
resources for pediatric healthcare information, offers on this site answers
to some of the most frequently asked questions about asthma, including
“What causes asthma?” “What are the symptoms of asthma?”
“How is asthma treated?” and “When should I call the
doctor?” www.vh.org/pediatric/patient/pediatrics/cqqa/asthma.html
ClearBreathing.com
Do you suffer from asthma, or have a friend or loved one who does? If
so, visit this site for information on the causes of asthma and the events
and conditions that might trigger a flare up, advice on living with asthma,
information on the Clearbreathing Club, prevention and treatment information,
and an animated presentation illustrating the pathophysiology of asthma. www.clearbreathing.com
DiabetesWATCH
Patients with diabetes will find information on treatment options, nutrition
and exercise, and prevention of common complications associated with diabetes.
Visitors can join the site’s chat rooms and send messages, submit
personal stories, and share advice with fellow patients with diabetes.
The site also provides tools that allow patients to track their medication
usage, exercise program, sugar intake, and doctor visits. www.diabeteswatch.com
Talking to Your Doctor About Diabetes
This site offers patients smart and helpful advice on how to make sure
their concerns and questions about diabetes and treatment options are
addressed. Offering tips on how to keep the lines of communication open
between doctor and patient, online tools for diabetes control, a recipe
box, and more, this site helps diabetics take control of their health.
A collection of photos and illustrations related to diabetes not only
includes detailed anatomical illustrations of the pancreas, digestive
system, cardiovascular system, and health complications associated with
diabetes, but also features instructional photos on blood glucose monitoring
and provides instructions on how to keep a blood glucose log. http://diabetes.about.com/library/weekly/uc082701a.htm
Mental Health Net – Depression (Unipolar)
According to this site, “depression is so common that over one in
five Americans can expect to get some form of depression in their lifetime.
Over one in 20 Americans has a depressive disorder every year.”
Links to basic information regarding mental health, detailed information
about St. Johns Wort and its use in treating depression, the latest news,
the Goldberg Depression Questionnaire, and various related resources are
provided. http://mentalhelp.net/poc/center_index.php?id=5
Depression-Screening.org
Sponsored by the National Mental Health Association, this site provides
visitors with the opportunity to take an online confidential depression
screening test, and offers concise and helpful information on the symptoms,
causes, and treatments of depression. The sections “Making the Most
of Your Treatment” and “Paying for Treatment” offer
patients practical advice on how to adhere to therapies, find support
groups, and utilize medical insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. http://www.depression-screening.org
Ask NOAH About: Influenza
Patients can find the answers to virtually every imaginable question related
to influenza, its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, through this service
of the New York Online Access to Health. Specific topics include basic
facts about the flu, specialized information on how the disease affects
children and teens, data on the various types of influenza, facts about
various medications used to treat the flu, prevention tips, and more. www.noah-health.org/english/illness/respiratory/flu.html
Is the Flu Vaccine a Good Idea for Your Family?
The Nemours Foundation, one of the most respected names in pediatric healthcare
education, provides this site that explains why it is important for you
and your physician to determine whether your family needs the flu vaccine,
offers a description of how the flu vaccine works, dispels some myths
about the flu shot, provides recommendations on who should get a flu shot,
and features a colorful chart depicting the peak months of the flu season. www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/flu_vaccine.html
MerckSource
MerckSource features clear, trustworthy health information on more than
20 common chronic conditions, comprehensive “Health Centers”
for men, women, children, and seniors, and a variety of engaging, interactive
tools. Resources include The Merck Manual—Home Edition, Dorland’s
Medical Dictionary, the PDR—OTC Edition, and more. Prepare for your
next doctor visit by using printable health forms, records, and “Questions
to Ask Your Doctor.” Register to receive a complimentary one-year
subscription to the Harvard Health E-Newsletter. www.mercksource.com
Patient Health International
Go here for reliable information and advice on everything from acid reflux
to hayfever, from heart failure to prostate cancer. The site also features
several interactive tutorials that provide a “unique way of understanding
both your condition and the treatment options” available for it;
tutorials are available for breast cancer, asthma, heartburn and GERD,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and migraine. The site also offers
an interactive “body map;” visitors can click on a part of
the body to see a list of conditions that can affect it, hyperlinked to
information about that condition. An “About Medicines” section
provides general information on how medicines are developed and how they
work, and offers some useful guidance and tips on how patients should
use medications. www.patienthealthinternational.com
Pfizer for Living
Pfizer for Living is “the health and wellness site dedicated to
helping you live with the conditions that matter to you.” With its
in-depth information and resources, it can help patients manage diabetes,
understand erectile dysfunction, control allergies, manage high blood
pressure and high cholesterol, live with arthritis and chronic pain, and
cope with depression. Visitors will also find information on how to maintain
proper diet and exercise, and resources focusing specifically on issues
in men’s and women’s health. www.pfizerforliving.com/pfl/index.jsp
AF Advisor
Have you recently learned you have a type of irregular heartbeat known
as arterial fibrillation (AF)? If so, this site can provide helpful information
and resources that will allow you to better understand AF and its causes
and risks, and the treatment options available for patients with AF. You’ll
also find advice on staying fit and how to reduce your risk of stroke
caused by AF. www.afadvisor.org
Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a division of the National
Institutes of Health, created this site to provide patients concerned
about their blood pressure with evidence-based information and advice
on reducing hypertension (high blood pressure). The main focus of the
site is prevention, detection, and treatment. Special features include
self-assessment quizzes for patients, easy-to-understand and detailed
information about several medications used to treat hypertension, and
illustrative, real-life examples of topics covered on the site. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp
Easing Your Child’s Ear Infection
Parents of children with frequent ear infections will appreciate this
site, which identifies the culprits that can cause ear infections to persist
(genetic origins, bottle-feeding, pacifier use during the formative years,
and exposure to second-hand smoke). The site, an offering from Health
Pages, also identifies signs and symptoms, helpful hints, treatment options
including antibiotics and surgery, and a list of organizations parents
can contact for more information. www.thehealthpages.com/articles/ar-earin.html
HealthyKids.com
The health and well-being of children is the focus of this site, a bright,
neatly organized resource that offers a “Tools and Guides”
section, a first year timeline, and collections of recipes and product
recalls, along with questions and answers “From the Experts,”
message boards, and books and articles highlighted “In the Spotlight.”
Parents can obtain information on specific health conditions, safety,
and sports and fitness in the “Health” section, and learn
about age milestones, social issues, and behavior patterns in “Development.” www.healthykids.com
Prescription Medications for the Treatment of Obesity
Visitors to this site will find information on single drug and combined
treatment medications that promote weight loss, a recital of the potential
benefits of medication treatments, reminders of the potential risks and
concerns to keep in mind when considering medications, answers to commonly
asked questions about weight-loss medications, and advice on what to discuss
with your physician prior to choosing a weight-loss medication. www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/pubs/presmeds.htm
Weightloss.com
Losing weight is never easy, and every little bit of support helps. This
site outlines some common-sense information and advice on eating smart,
getting proper exercise, and staying focused and positive. Visitors are
reminded to talk to their doctors about losing weight, so their doctors
can tell them about body mass index (or BMI) and what it means in terms
of their health, and also discuss with them weight loss medications that
may be right for them. www.weightloss.com
Bladder Control for Women Campaign
“Let’s Talk About Bladder Control for Women” is a public
health awareness campaign conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes
and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This site archives a series of educational
pamphlets on bladder control, including “Menopause and Bladder Control,”
“Exercising Your Pelvic Muscles,” and “Your Medicines
in Bladder Control” (there are 11 pamphlets in all). Spanish-language
versions of some resources are available. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/bladdercontrol/index.htm
Ortho Women’s Health
Women looking for information on contraceptives can visit this site to
take a “birth control selector” quiz that can help them determine
which form of birth control may be right for them. The site’s “Birth
Control Guide” provides answers to frequently asked questions and
describes the various birth control options available for women. A “Disease
Guide” with information on vaginal infections, urinary tract infections,
and sexually transmitted diseases is also offered. www.orthowomenshealth.com
