1. General
2. Alzheimer's Disease
3. Arthritis
4. Cancer
5. Cardiovascular Disease
6. Diabetes
7. Respiratory Disease

General

American Academy of Family Physicians Health Information for Patients

http://familydoctor.org/

Click here for disease/condition handouts like those you receive when visiting a physician’s office. Excellent symptom-based flowcharts, tips on choosing a family doctor and dealing with medical errors plus much more.

National Center for Infectious Diseases Travelers' Health

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

Planning a trip abroad? From necessary vaccinations to how to prepare for medical emergencies while traveling, this site will provide answers for most, if not all, of your questions.

NORD: National Organization for Rare Disorders

http://www.rarediseases.org

Need support or information about rare disorders/syndromes? It’s provided here by an association of non-profit organizations. Includes links to companies that provide medication assistance, and a networking program for communication with others who share your disease/disability.

Surgery from MedlinePlus

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/surgery.html

If your doctor has recommended surgery, you probably have many questions. Look here for information about whether to seek a second opinion, questions for your surgeon, and what to expect before and after.

Back to Top

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease from MedlinePlus

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alzheimersdisease.html

A wonderful starting place for the newly diagnosed, caregivers, or concerned friends and relatives. Has latest news, coping skills, financial issues navigation and a glossary. Selected links vetted by NLM librarians.

Alzheimer's Disease from NetWellness

http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/alzheimer/default.cfm

A site of links under helpful headings created by medical school faculty from 3 Ohio universities. Figures or diagrams often enhance the content. You may pose questions to local experts or search answers they wrote previously specifically about Alzheimer’s or dementias.

Alzheimer's Information Site

http://www.alzinfo.org

Quality information on understanding the disease, resources and support, treatment, continuing care, a glossary, and research. You can enlarge the type size, join a chat group, sign up to receive an e-newsletter, and read experts’ answers to questions.

Arthritis

Arthritis and Rheumatism from NetWellness

http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/arthritis/default.cfm

Well-organized links under helpful headings put together by medical school faculty from 3 Ohio universities. Pose questions to local experts or search answers they wrote previously specifically about arthritis and related conditions . Alternative approaches and treatments are included.

American College of Rheumatology Patient Information

http://www.rheumatology.org/public/index.asp?aud=pat

Links to brief descriptions of arthritis and diseases related to arthritis are presented here. Using the search box you can find information written for physicians and other health care professionals.

MedlinePlus: Arthritis

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/arthritis.html

General overviews, treatment, coping, alternative therapy, are all here for arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Has clinical trial links for both government agencies and pharmaceutical companies.

Back to Top

Cancer

Deciphering Breast Cancer Medspeak

http://www.mlanet.org/pdf/breast_cancer_final.pdf

Medical librarians created this glossary of the specialized language used when talking about breast cancer.

CancerNet

http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/

National Cancer Institute site is organized for easy access by laymen. Cancer types, treatment options, testing, and coping are all covered with traditional, complementary and alternative medicine approaches presented.

OncoLink: University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center

http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu

This homepage of the Abramson University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center is news intensive. In addition it has excellent information on specific cancers, treatments and a matching service for clinical trials.

American Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp

The home page of this nationwide, community-based health organization makes it easy for patients, survivors, health information seekers, and donors/volunteers to find information. Includes a zip code search for your local ACS office for event listings. To join discussions and personalize the site to your needs, registration is recommended.

Stewart's Caring Place

http://www.stewartscaringplace.org

An Akron-based organization that provides free services for those affected by cancer and their families. The emotional, social, physical and spiritual support offered includes a resource library, family support including children's activities, stress management techniques, and peer support groups. Staffed by caring volunteers and professionals.

Back to Top

Cardiovascular Disease

Deciphering Heart Disease Medspeak

http://www.mlanet.org/pdf/heart-disease1.pdf

Medical librarians created this glossary of the specialized language used when talking about heart disease.

American Heart Association

http://www.americanheart.org

Links to a heart and stroke encyclopedia and CPR classes near you plus much more. Practical tips on healthy menu planning, recipes, and shopping lists are in the Healthy Lifestyle area.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Web page of the agency that provides leadership for national programs on diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and sleep disorders. Has health assessment tools and diet/recipe information directed to specific populations such as Latinos, Asian Americans, and African Americans.

Internet Stroke Center

http://www.strokecenter.org

Excellent jumping off point for web information and resources on stroke. Click on "Patients & Families" for links about diagnosis, treatment, living with stroke, and caregiver resources and directories.

Back to Top

Diabetes

Deciphering Diabetes Medspeak

http://www.mlanet.org/pdf/diabetes1.pdf

Medical librarians created this glossary of the secialized language used when talking about diabetes.

American Diabetes Association

http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

A searchable site that features a recipe of the day, and valuable information directed to youth, and schools. Extensive discussion of health Insurance is in the Government Affairs & Advocacy section.

On-Line Diabetes Resources

http://www.mendosa.com

A large directory of substantive information about all types of diabetes. Author of web link annotations is a writer who was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 1994. Has links to sites with practical information such as those which describe software, medications, and blood glucose meters.

Back to Top

Respiratory Disease

American Lung Association

http://www.lungusa.org/

Much useful, unbiased information here. Notable are the Diseases A to Z pages and the Quit Smoking section. You can sign up for Freedom From Smoking® Online, an interactive course designed to change behavior patterns and provide 24 hour a day support to you in your home.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/copd/

Well-organized links under helpful headings put together by medical school faculty from 3 Ohio universities. P ose ques tions to local experts or search answers they wrote previously specifically about COPD.

Sinusitis from MedlinePlus

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sinusitis.html

For this prevalent, chronic disease, here are links that describe the condition and its treatment; sources of information are primarily government agencies and medical societies. Has links to related pages such as those on allergies, headache, and relevant organizations.