RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE

Looking to learn more about your specific health care conditions? Here are some valuable websites that may provide the resources to assist you:

• Drkoop.com - Find information on various disease conditions, symptom finders, and a variety of health education articles; you can also subscribe to a regular e-mail newsletter based on your preferred health topic (including alternative medicine).

• healthfinder® - provides a health library with diseases and conditions, health topics, information about doctors, prescriptions, and insurance, and much more www.healthfinder.gov (per e-mail, can use logo, etc. following the guidelines they provided)

• Mayo Clinic – learn more about a wide variety of health conditions and symptoms; try out healthy recipes; take advantage of their first aid guide; learn about drugs and supplements; and find even more information for healthy living.
  

• MedicineNet.com - A network of U.S. Board Certified and Allied Health Professionals that provides easy-to-understand medical information to make smart health decisions with your doctor. Stay informed on all aspects of health and medicine, and have the latest news delivered to you via electronic newsletters.
  
  
• New Publication Helps Consumers Understand and Get Quality Health Care - The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a new publication, Guide to Health Care Quality: How To Know It When You See It, to help consumers identify high-quality health care. This booklet is part of AHRQ's new consumer education campaign to help people take a more active role in their own health care. The new booklet can be found online at http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/guidetoq. Free single copies are also available by calling the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at (800) 358-9295 or by sending an e-mail to ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov.

• WebMD – check up on symptoms you may be having; browse through a vast medical library on various health conditions, drugs, and herbs; learn about new medical research; and even find a physician.
  

Allergy Resources

• Allergy and Asthma Network

Arthritis Resources

• Arthritis Foundation

Asthma Resources

• Allergy and Asthma Network

Cancer Resources

• American Academy of Dermatology (skin cancer information)

• American Cancer Society

• American Institute for Cancer Research

• American Society of Clinical Oncology

• CancerCare, Inc.

• Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation

• Gilda's Club

• Lance Armstrong Foundation

• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America

• National Cancer Institute

• National Cervical Cancer Coalition

• National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

• Planet Cancer

• Prostate Cancer Education Council

• Skin Cancer Foundation

• Team Survivor

• Testicular Cancer Information and Support

• The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

• The TesticularCancerResourceCenter

• Women's Cancer Network

Cardiovascular Disease Resources

• American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• American Heart Association

• American Lung Association
  
• Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

• National Cholesterol Education Program (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

• National Stroke Association

• New Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease - A new guidebook from the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Your Guide to Living Well With Heart Disease, provides the latest information on how you can protect and improve your heart health. This booklet is a step-by-step guide to living a full, healthful, and enjoyable life as you cope with your heart condition. It also includes a heart attack survival plan and information about how to recognize heart attack signs and get help quickly. (PDF 68 pages)

• The Cooking Cardiologist – Dr. Richard Collins is nationally recognized as ‘The Cooking Cardiologist'® and is the Director of Wellness at South Denver Cardiology Associates. As a leading authority and spokesperson in preventive medicine, Dr. Collins’ dynamic plan for prevention and reversal of heart disease through changes in diet and lifestyle have been shared with millions across the nation. His creativity in the kitchen is legendary, and his delicious, heart-healthy recipes have established him as a popular chef on television, at health fairs and at cooking demonstrations and conventions coast-to-coast.  For his heart-friendly recipes, click here. 
   
• The DASH Eating Plan - an eating plan that has been clinically proven to significantly reduce blood pressure. The eating plan is informative and easy to use. Click here to download the PDF booklet for this eating plan.

Chronic Pain Resources

• American Pain Foundation

• Arthritis Foundation

• Mayday Fund (For Pain Research)

• National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain

• National Headache Foundation

Diabetes Resources

Books:

• The New Glucose Revolution: The Authoritative Guide to the Glycemic Index – The Dietary Solution for Lifelong Health by Jennie Brand-Miller(editor)
  This book discusses the importance of the Glycemic Index (GI) of foods which measures the carbohydrate quality based on how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. It provides information on why you need carbohydrates along with benefits and practical applications for putting the knowledge about GI into daily practice (including the GI index of over 800 foods). A low GI diet is recommended for people with diabetes.
  
  
• The Schwarzbein Principle by Diana Schwarzbein, M.D. and Nancy Deville
  This book gets the message out that eating real food including healthy fats is essential for health. Dr. Schwarzbein describes what happens to insulin and explains that insulin levels will get too high if you eat too many carbohydrates at a given moment; chronic high levels of insulin could lead to insulin resistance, a syndrome associated with increased heart attacks, strokes, type II diabetes and cancer etc. Her program includes balanced nutrition, stress management, exercise, the elimination of stimulants and other drugs, and hormone replacement therapy-a complete program designed to balance insulin and all other hormone levels.

Websites:

• American Diabetes Association

• Diabetes Aware - resources and information for those living with diabetes to help them manage their condition.

• Diabetes Sight/Prevent-Blindness America

• Eye Care America – a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that aims to reduce avoidable blindness and severe visual impairment by raising awareness about eye disease and care, providing free eye health educational materials and facilitating access to medical eye care.

• National Eye Health Education Program – a program of the National Eye Institute that conducts large-scale public and professional education programs in partnership with national organizations. 

• National Diabetes Education Program – a federally funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and includes over 200 partners at the federal, state, and local levels, working together to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes.

• National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse - an service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), that aims to increase knowledge and understanding about diabetes among patients, health care professionals, and the general public.

• NIH National Diabetes Education Program

• www.thescwarzbeinprinciple.com – provides information from Diana Schwarzbein, M.D. about her program and research as well as other recommended resources for finding balance and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

• www.mendosa.com – provides a wealth of information on the Glycemic Index, diet and exercise, and other important resources for anyone with diabetes.

Digestive Health Resources

• American College of Gastroenterology

• American Gastroenterological Association

• Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition – a foundation of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) that raises funds for research and public education in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of digestive diseases.

• International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse – the NDDIC is service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and part of the National Institutes of Health.  It  aims to increase knowledge and understanding about digestive diseases among people with these conditions and their families, health care professionals, and the general public.

Ear Health Resources

• American Academy of Audiology

• American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

• Audiology Foundation of America

Eating Disorder Resources

• National Eating Disorders Association

Eye Health Resources

• American Optometric Association

• Eye Care America – a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that aims to reduce avoidable blindness and severe visual impairment by raising awareness about eye disease and care, providing free eye health educational materials and facilitating access to medical eye care.

• National Eye Institute

• Prevent Blindness America – the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization with the sole mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight.

Headache Resources

• National Headache Foundation

Immune Resources

• American Liver Foundation

Men's Health Resources

• Mayo Clinic Men’s Health Center – find information on  men’s health such as prostate health, sexual health, and fatherhood.

• Men’s Health Network

• Men: Stay Healthy at Any Age - Top health experts from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggest that when you go for your next checkup, you should talk to your health care providerabout how you can stay healthy no matter what your age. (PDF)

Mental and Emotional Well-Being Resources

• American Psychological Association

• American Psychiatric Association

• National Mental and Emotional Well-Being Association

• Screening for Mental Health, Inc.

• World Federation for Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Multiple Sclerosis Resources

• Heuga Center – a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with multiple sclerosis through educational and wellness programs, and ongoing research.

• Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Oral Health Resources

• Academy of General Dentistry

• American Dental Association (ADA)

• American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)

Osteoporosis Resources

• National Osteoporosis Foundation

• Osteoporosis & Spine Fracture Health Hub (Spine-Health.com) - a patient education site with in-depth information about steoporosis and spine fractures written and peer reviewed by physicians.
  

Pregnancy and Post-Partum Resources

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Baby.com  a website by Johnson & Johnson dedicated to providing you with articles and information geared to every stage of your baby’s development.  Provides links to resources concentrating on the well-being of parents, families and children as well as trusted products.

• GotMom.org - created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives to provide breastfeeding information and resources for mothers and families.

• La Leche League International (breast feeding)

• March of Dimes (birth defects prevention)

• Stroller Fit. The StrollerFit Exercise Experienceis designed specifically for the needs of moms withstroller age children.It allows you to turn practically any baby stroller into a portable fitness machine so you can exercise with your baby - a total body workout you’re your baby by your side.

• The National Women’s Health Information Center - Breastfeeding

• Plum – a pregnancy magazine from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for women ages 35+ that focuses on the unique needs and interests of the 35+ year old mom-to-be, including which prenatal tests are needed and which are optional along with many other questions women might have during the pregnancy as well as after giving birth.  The magazine is provided to physicians to distribute to their patients, so ask them for a copy.

Skin Health Resources

• American Academy of Dermatology

• Skin Cancer Foundation

• Skin Care Physicians
  

Women's Health Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Women’s Health

• http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/. The Heart Healthy Women site is the online source for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women.

• Mayo Clinic Women’s Health Center - Find information on women's health, such as birth control, reproductive and sexual health, menopause and osteoporosis.

• National Women’s Health Resource Center

• New Web Site on Women’s Heart Health An important new Web site devoted to heart disease in women has been launched by the Office on Women’s Health

• Pause™ - a magazine of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology that focuses on midlife health.  It is written for women going through menopause or perimenopause (the transitional stage leading up to menopause).  The magazine is published biannually and is available free through participating ob-gyn offices.

• Speaking of Women’s Health

• The National Women’s Health Information Center

• Women: Stay Healthy at Any Age - Top health experts from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggest that when you go for your next checkup, you should talk to your health care provider about how you can stay healthy no matter what your age. (PDF)