Your Health, In Your Hands
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Email ThisEvaluating Online Health Information
The Internet can be a great place to find health information, but because health is a serious topic... read more»
Finding Health Information
The path to successfully finding health information begins with defining your topic and research... read more»
Top Health Web Sites
The Web is host to a substantial number of reliable, comprehensive health sites. If you know what... read more»
Health Insurance Options
Anyone not covered by an employer's insurance policy appreciates what a luxury health care can be.... read more»
Find a Local Doctor or Dentist
It's important to have a good relationship with your doctor, and it's doubly important to select... read more»
Talking to Your Doctor About Your Health
Although it's easy to think of interactions with your doctor as more akin to lectures than conversations, the quality of these talks—and ultimately the care you receive—can be enhanced with a little preparation. This includes attempting to diagnose a condition as well as reviewing your treatment options. By educating yourself on your condition and knowing what important questions to ask, you can position yourself to play a part in the management of your medical issues.
Dulcinea's Insight
- For many people, the notion of taking an active role rather than passively accepting the doctor's advice is a radical one. Here is some good advice from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services on how to become a more active participant in the process.
- Educating yourself about your condition will aid your discussions with your doctor. To learn more ways to get the most out of your office visit, both in general and when discussing specific health issues, enter the phrase "How to talk to your doctor" into one of the health search engines found in the "Finding Health Information” section of this guide.
- If you or a loved one has a disease or injury, use the Web to research your treatment options. The Mayo Clinic's "Treatment Decisions" guides are a good place to start for many disorders. These detailed guides overview the condition and lay out what options you have available to you. Topics covered include depression, birth control, back pain, enlarged prostate, ear infection, and many more.
- No one is ever prepared for a bad diagnosis. A woman who has received three such diagnoses has written a highly regarded book full of advice on how patients, health professionals, and family members can best deal with bad medical news.
- For information on locating a doctor, refer to the "Find a Local Doctor or Dentist" section of this guide.
- Researching health information on the Internet can help you better understand your doctor's advice and learn how to take better care of yourself. But information is not a substitute for a doctor's advice, based on an in-person examination and evaluation. Your doctor has years of rigorous medical training and experience. A few hours of Internet research will never be a substitute for visiting a doctor when you have a serious illness or injury.
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Learning About Medicines
All medication, whether prescribed by your doctor or received over the counter, is accompanied by... read more»
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