Reliable Medical and Health Information Sources

This page has links to some reliable and well-known medical websites where you can find a wealth of information about common medical conditions, probably including yours.  The information includes usual causes, typical symptoms, how the diagnosis is made, and current treatments.  See if you can find your particular injury, and then read about it – so you know what questions you need to ask your doctor, and what to expect.

Of course your doctors are also a good source of this information, but often they are too busy to go into much detail with you. Most doctors now expect their patients to seek information on the web.  Do not be afraid to bring this information to your doctors and to discuss it with them.  But remember that your specific condition may involve details that make the general web advice you found inappropriate in your case.

When you do research on the internet, make sure to look for websites from well-known and high quality medical organizations such as those listed here.  Be cautious about using other websites which may offer unproven or incorrect advice.

Information About Medical Conditions

Use the search features on these sites to look up your condition.

US Government, National Library of Medicine

Nationally-Known and Respected Medical Schools

Prestigious Medical Specialty Societies

Related Topics

Here are examples of some good websites with practical information about specific related subjects:

  • Translation of healthcare information into other languages www.healthinfotranslations.org (In different languages)
  • The impact of medical conditions on the ability to function at home and at work: MDGuidelines
    www.mdguidelines.com
  • Ideas for how to protect your mental health and cope with the normal human reactions to being injured, feeling bad, and being out of work: stress, uncertainty, anger, anxiety, fear, worry and boredom
    www.helpguide.org , www.get.gg , or www.llttf.org
  • HEALTHbeat, a free weekly email newsletter from Harvard Medical School with tips for healthy living and dealing with many common medical conditions:
    www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/Subscribe.htm
  • National Treatment Guideline Clearinghouse from the US Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ)
    http://guidelines.gov

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