Looking for answers to a particular health
problem? Want to tune up your diet to feel better, look better and reduce
your risk for chronic diseases? Need to understand more about your medications
or those prescribed for your kids? Interested in alternative or complementary
medicine? The more you know and understand about your health problems,
the more closely you will be able to work with your healthcare professional
to find the best solutions.
We now know that each human being is unique; our individual genetic
makeup, environmental influences and experiences have shaped us. Unfortunately,
no one comes with an instruction manual. But each of us knows himself
or herself better than anyone else. By listening to our own bodies and
tuning in to our own belief systems, we can contribute valuable insight
to what is wrong, and help decide on the best treatment plan or course
of action.
The Internet provides a large amount of health information, and many
people are using this valuable resource to find out about their own
health issues. Websites and related discussion groups, chat rooms and
electronic newsletters are wonderful ways to help you ask the right
questions, understand your options, and make better decisions about
your health care. All you need is a computer with an Internet connection,
and a few tips on where to begin.
The following is an alphabetical list of websites and helpful databases
that can be used free of charge. Some of the sites are especially geared
to those of us living in Alaska.
The Alternative Medicine Homepage:
http://www.pitt.edu/~cbw/altm.html
An exhaustive list of alternative medicine websites for anyone interested
in unconventional, unorthodox, unproven, or alternative, complementary,
innovative and integrative therapies. Sponsored by the Falk Library
of Health Sciences and the University of Pittsburgh, the site links
to Internet resources, directories, newsgroups, mailing lists and government
resources.
ArcticHealth Website:
http://www.arctichealth.org/
A brand new one-stop resource for northern residents on Arctic health
issues. This was developed by the Health Sciences Information Service
at U.A.A. in partnership with the National Library of Medicine. It includes
organizations, health topics, telemedicine, environmental health, and
traditional medicine health news in Alaska. A database for publications
and research projects is coming soon.
Ask NOAH: Complementary & Alternative Medicine:
http://www.noah-health.org/english/alternative/alternative.html
The New York Online Access to Health website, created by several New
York Library organizations aims to provide easily accessible, understandable
and reliable consumer health information. The CAM page lists 18 alternative
therapies with basic information and resources for each.
Databases for Alaskans:
http://www.lib.uaa.alaska.edu/database/
State, municipal and university libraries have teamed up to purchase
access for all Alaskans to this wonderful line-up of 33 different databases,
which include many full text journal articles. There are great resources
here for the whole family – newspapers and business for parents,
and homework resources for children and students. The collection includes
eight health-related databases on complementary health, cancer, pharmacology,
consumer health and nursing. Call the 1-800 numbers at the bottom of
the homepage for the USERID and PASSWORD. Use the HELP link at the bottom
of the page for assistance.
HerbMed:
http://www.herbmed.org
A product of the nonprofit Alternative Medicine Foundation, HerbMed
provides links to the scientific evidence behind the use of herbs for
health. Information for each herb includes clinical evidence for effectiveness,
traditional and folk use, warnings about adverse effects, toxicity,
interactions and contraindications, pictures, cultivation information,
distribution and methods of preparation.
MedlinePlus:
http://medlineplus.gov/
Authoritative and up-to-date information from the National Library of
Medicine and other trusted sources on over 650 diseases and conditions,
especially for consumers. Includes a medical encyclopedia, medical dictionary,
drug information, interactive health tutorials and links to thousands
of clinical trials.
Natural Standard:
http://www.naturalstandard.com/
High quality, evidence-based information about herbs and supplements
and their use in complementary and alternative therapies from a collaboration
of clinicians and researchers from over 50 eminent academic institutions.
Call (907) 786-1870 or toll-free in Alaska 1-888-997-7878 for the USERID
and PASSWORD for all Alaskans.
NIH Senior Health:
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/
A website providing aging-related health information for adults over
60. Developed by the National Institute on Aging and the National Library
of Medicine, this website has special features to enlarge the text,
change the contrast, and turn on speech.
How do you know if what you find is good information?
The above websites are trustworthy sources, but if you are surfing the
Internet for more information, you need to examine the accuracy, currency
and credibility of any information you find before using it. MedlinePlus
provides a web page of resources to help you: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/evaluatinghealthinformation.html
