|
Finding health information on the internet can often be confusing. Our Web Guide lists many organizations and government agencies that provide health information online. When you contact such organizations you can gain knowledge about a specific condition, new developments, research projects, and support available for patients and their families.
Use the following tips to help you locate reliable information.
- Find out who is running the web site. Sites run by the government and nonprofit organizations are more objective than sites trying to sell something.
- Find out if the information presented is written or reviewed by a qualified professional.
- Find out if a company trying to sell a product sponsors the site. Be careful of sites that have "pop-up" advertisements for medical products.
- Check the date. Medical information changes rapidly. Information that is several years old may not be up-to-date.
- Guard your privacy. Look at the home page for a privacy policy. It is generally a good idea to provide as little personal information as possible.
- Seek a second opinion. It is better if you do not limit yourself to one source for health information.
- Share the main ideas about what you learn with your health care provider. He or she can help you to evaluate what the information means to you.
Remember the staff at our Health Resource Center is available to help you locate useful resources.
MedlinePlus & MedlinePlus en Español
MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from the U.S. government's National Library of Medicine (NLM) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), supplemented by resources from other government agencies, non-profits, and health-related organizations. The illustrated medical encyclopedia covers a wide range of topics, conveniently organized by topic, while the searchable Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary helps to demystify jargon. There's plenty of information aimed at the lay person, yet pre-formulated MEDLINE searches make it simple to access medical research literature too. MedlinePlus also provides an extensive database of drug information, detailing both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription remedies. In addition, you'll encounter an array of interactive tutorials that help you put information into a personal context.
Community Resources Directory
Family Service Agency compiles the annual Community Resource Directory (aka "CRIS Directory") of services available to Santa Barbara County residents. The directory is a great way to find local help and services. The online version is searchable, as well as organized by topic and city. Among the dozens of health/medical topics it covers are: adult day care, AIDS testing, crisis lines, adaptive equipment, food stamps, grieving, insurance, nutrition, pain management, parenting, pregnancy counseling, residential care, support groups, vision screening-there are even sources for free diapers!
FSA also operates the free, bilingual, 24/7 confidential 211 CRIS HelpLine, which provides information and referral, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention:
- Santa Barbara County dial 211
- Toll-free (800) 400-1572
(back to top)
More Websites
The websites above are good places to start when you're looking for health information. If you need even more options, here are more resources worth checking out:
Allergy and Immunology
Fact sheets devoted to "keeping kids with asthma and allergies safe at school" include topics such as children's rights, educating school officials about your child's condition, exercising safely, pets in the classroom, and more.
The Center's series of booklets about respiratory illnesses including asthma, immune deficiencies, allergy, atopic dermatitis, lung disease, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
A-Z allergy library, including en Español. Site also has sections for kids, seniors, allergy news, pollen counts, medication guide, facts sheets, clinical trials, and much more.
View current and past counts of tree, grass, weed, and mold pollen spores. Data provided courtesy of Sansum Clinic's own Allergy and Immunology Department.
Cardiology
Fact sheets, interactive tutorials, recipe collections, health assessment tools, and web sites about heart and vascular diseases.
Fitness and exercise resources including health facts, cardiovascular health, diabetes prevention, cholesterol education, and videos about preventing heart attack and stroke.
Newsletter, recipes, and tips about diets, healthy eating, and weight management.
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Information about symptoms, treatments, and family registries. Includes a risk self-test.
(back to top)
Dermatology
"SkinCarePhysicians.com provides patients with up-to-date information on the treatment and management of disorders of the skin, hair and nails." Includes specialized sites for acne, actinic keratoses, aging skin, eczema, melanoma, psoriasis, and rosacea.
Diabetes
Diabetes risk test, symptoms guide, FAQ, online videos, nutrition guide, recipes, fitness guide, prevention info, guides for children and teens.
Fitness and exercise resources including health facts, cardiovascular health, diabetes prevention, cholesterol education, and videos about preventing heart attack and stroke.
Newsletter, recipes, and tips about diets, healthy eating, and weight management.
Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) Otolaryngology
Links to auditory education sites, organizations, and equipment manufacturers.
Information on topics such as allergies, balance, ears, facial plastic surgery, head and neck surgery, hearing, nose, sinus, snorting and sleep disorders, throat/voice/swallowing, thyroid/parathyroid, tobacco and cancer.
(back to top)
Endocrinology
Information about diabetes, growth, hormone abuse, menopause, obesity, osteoporosis, PCOS, pituitary, and thyroid conditions.
Family Medicine
Gastroenterology
Geriatrics and Aging
Information about osteoporosis includes: bone density, risk factors, nutrition and supplements, exercise, medications, and support groups.
Internal Medicine
Articles, links, and health calculators.
Get a customized food pyramid recommending your personal nutritional requirements and activity level.
Resources to "help you achieve a healthy lifestyle and answer your food and nutrition questions."
The AAFP provides their comprehensive "listing of patient education materials, which have been favorably reviewed for a variety of criteria including scientific accuracy, content, and appropriateness for use in a family practice setting." Covers a broad range of topics, including adult medicine, cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes, general medicine, infant/child/adolescent, men's health, mental health, nutrition, pain, respiratory, and women's health.
A searchable list of links to "relevant, medically accurate information about a wide range of topics" for patients and the public.
Fitness and exercise resources including health facts, cardiovascular health, diabetes prevention, cholesterol education, and videos about preventing heart attack and stroke.
Newsletter, recipes, and tips about diets, healthy eating, and weight management.
(back to top)
Laboratory
Information common diseases and conditions along with descriptions of the tests typically used to diagnose them. Also includes preventative screening guides, news about advances in clinical testing, in-depth articles aimed at helping you better understand your test results, behind-the-scenes looks at labs and lab workers.
Lymphedema Therapy
Neurology
AAN's public education site promotes understanding of brain disorders including: Parkinson's disease, stroke, migraine, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, brain injury, sleep disorder, dystonia, and pain.
Nephrology
A-Z guide, GFR calculator, parent information, Kidney Camp directory, recipes and more.
Nutrition
Find out what your Body Mass Index (BMI) is, and what it means for your health, with this interactive BMI calculator
Fitness and exercise resources including health facts, cardiovascular health, diabetes prevention, cholesterol education, and videos about preventing heart attack and stroke.
Newsletter, recipes, and tips about diets, healthy eating, and weight management.
Get a customized food pyramid recommending your personal nutritional requirements and activity level.
Resources to "help you achieve a healthy lifestyle and answer your food and nutrition questions."
(back to top)
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Occupational Medicine
Fact sheets on lung health in the workplace. Topics include breathing hazards, respiratory protection, smoking, ventilation, chemicals, solvents, tuberculosis, reading material data safety sheets, and worker rights.
Oncology and Hematology
Cancer patients, bone marrow donors, and bone marrow recipients "who are ambulatory and not in need of medical support while traveling" may be eligible for free flights to treatment centers.
Ophthalmology and Optometry
"Committed to helping patients make informed decisions about undergoing laser eye surgery," this site contains a glossary as well as information about LASIK, cataract, and glaucoma.
Orthopedics
Information about neck, shoulder, arm, elbow, spine, hand, hip, knee, foot, and leg condition presented by a partnership of seven orthopedic organizations.
Information about osteoporosis includes: bone density, risk factors, nutrition and supplements, exercise, medications, and support groups.
(back to top)
Pediatric and Adolescent Health
Fact sheets devoted to "keeping kids with asthma and allergies safe at school" include topics such as children's rights, educating school officials about your child's condition, exercising safely, pets in the classroom, and more.
Pediatric health information aimed at kids, teens, or their parents
Pharmacy
Safety information about food and drugs, as well as numerous other health care categories such as: medical devices, vaccines, blood products, gene/cell therapy, cosmetics, and radiation-emitting devices.
Plastic Surgery (Facial)
Includes discussion of facial plastic surgery topics.
Psychiatry and Psychology
Self-help tools plus information about conditions, and treatment options.
"...a consumer-oriented Web site that seeks to inform and educate the public about mental health treatment and resources.... Here you will find information on many common mental health concerns, including warning signs of mental disorders, treatment options, and prevention measures."
Covers topics such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, ADD), autism spectrum disorders (pervasive developmental disorders), bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and social phobia (social anxiety disorder).
A consumer guide to help families "make informed decisions about obtaining and administering the most appropriate care for a child with depression." Discusses the FDA's black box warning regarding use of antidepressant medications on children, as well as other alternatives for treating childhood depression.
Comprehensive information about mental disorders such as attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alcohol & substance abuse, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, conversion disorders, cults & mind control, depression, developmental & child disorders, dissociative disorders, dual diagnosis, eating disorders, impulse control disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) & tic disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, sexual disorders, suicide & self-harm. The relationship between mental health and various medical disorders are also addressed, for instance: AIDS, Alzheimers disease, cancer, Crohns disease, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and sleep disorders.
(back to top)
Pulmonary and Critical Care
Fact sheets, interactive tutorials, health assessment tools, and web sites about lung diseases.
Rheumatology
Information about osteoporosis includes: bone density, risk factors, nutrition and supplements, exercise, medications, and support groups.
Urology
Glossary and information about adult and pediatric urological conditions
(back to top)
General Health Information
A-Z health topics, nutrition and fitness information, health insurance information, local services information, and information for specific demographic groups.
Additional Sites
Volunteers offering "free transportation to life-sustaining treatment at distant medical facilities" for ambulatory patients with or without a companion. Also provides transport of transplant recipients, and precious cargo such as organs, blood, tissue and medical supplies.
Government compilation of resources about the practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). includes major types of CAM such as biologically-based practices, energy medicine, manipulative and body-based practices, mind-body medicine, whole medical systems, and dietary and herbal supplements. There are dedicated sections aimed at consumers, practitioners, and researchers.
Links to third-party sites are provided for informational purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement of the sites, their sponsoring organizations, or their advertisers. Sansum Clinic strongly urges you to consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Information provided through this web site is not intended as medical advice, and should never be used to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage you to discuss this and other health information with your doctor.
(back to top)
|
