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| Health information onlineYou’ve probably heard about the recall of over-the-counter medications containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA). Remedies you may have taken frequently such as Dexatrim, Accutrim, Alka Seltzer Plus, and Robitussin CF have been removed from the shelves. Where can you get medical information quickly when something this important occurs? On the internet of course. Each of these sites has a different focus but all provide valuable information regarding your health. Keep in mind this information is provided to assist you with information about your condition and not to replace a visit to your doctor. healthcentral.com is one of the best sites I’ve run across. They offer a drug interaction tool, body fat checker, exercise plans, mental health, and so much more. My personal favorite is their health profile section. According to their site, “Answer about 50 questions about your health, and get in-depth feedback and answers to these questions: how long will I live, what are my biggest health risks?” drkoop.com has some unique features which include calculators for ideal weight, vision strength, diabetes, and more. They are not meant to replace a visit to the doctor, but can give you an idea if a condition is such that you should seek medical care (or a nudge in the right direction if you are a terminal procrastinator). There are also online chat rooms where people with the same medical condition as you may discuss their concerns anonymously in the privacy of their own home. mediconline.com includes information on prescription drugs, mental health and alternative medicine. It has a terrific online emergency manual. healthatoz.com is a site oriented toward the health of your entire family. One of their exceptional features is Emate, an online portable health calendar and family health organizer. Record your health records, diet and exercise information, emergency numbers and addresses, doctor visits, immunization appointments, and get email reminders if you like. An original feature I was impressed with was their online diaries for people with diabetes, asthma, and heart problems. rxlist.com bills themselves as the “internet drug index”. You can search for drug names, keywords, imprint codes, and medical terminology from a single page. They also offer instant search of Taber’s medical encyclopedia, drug faq’s, and an alternative medicine index for common herbs and chinese remedies. Subscribe to newsletters on over 70 topics. medlineplus.gov - This site is run by the National Library of Medicine. It boasts a wealth of information including drug specifications (both generic and brand name) as well as health and disease topics too numerous to mention. merck.com/pubs/mmanual/ - Everyone’s heard of the Merck manual, one of the most widely used medical reference manuals. Parts of the manual are now available online, complete with search capabilities, or if you prefer, browse via category. pharminfo.com is geared more towards people in the profession. Be prepared for some medical terminology, complex drug names, and industry related news. On the flip side of the coin, it is detailed and accurate. If you still haven’t found the information you’re searching for at this point, you’ll want to visit rmis.com/db/dbmedic.htm. This page is a list of 150+ links to medical sites, many of which are more specialized in nature. They list links to, “Numerous medical management & clinical practice guidelines from the US federal government, medical schools, medical academies & associations. Examples: Occupational medicine, acute chemical exposures, heart disease & stroke, endocrine disorders, family practice, clinical preventive services, orthopedics, etc. Examples of medical databases: Clinical trials listing services. Medical reference dictionaries. Large pharmaceutical databases. “ Much of the information found here is cutting edge, including recent laboratory studies and specialized research. There are always so many quality sites out there to evaluate but I try to list those that I’ve found personally useful. Thomas Jefferson once said, “Health is worth more than learning”. These online sites make it easier to keep a watchful eye on your medical condition.
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