"Your Health and The Internet"

Why does the Internet interest everyone, as regards their health? Perhaps, it's because, right or wrong, it does offer a whole world of information about health treatment options.

You do; however, have to exercise caution in believing what you read on websites of dubious origin. And while some sites may advocate flaky medical remedies of questionable worth, on the other end of the spectrum, there are some really reliable sources that recommend worthwhile treatments, herbs and medications that are actually substantiated by solid research.

So, consider the source when browsing the web. There are numerous sites that have their own axes to grind, agendas to set and merchandise to push without any real concern for your immediate health.

Following are links to some very useful sites which we have found basically reliable and trustworthy.

Http://www.nih.gov This useful site belongs to the National Institute of Health, which is one of the world's foremost biomedical research centers and the Federal focal point for biomedical research in the U.S. It also contains sites to numerous other medically helpful sites and includes job listings, as well.

Http://americanheart.org Site of the American Heart Association, which presents a wide range of guidance about lowering your risk of heart disease and other medical links.

Http://www.aoa-net.org Site of the American Osteopathic Association intended to promote better understanding of osteopaths, mainly primary care physicians who emphasize preventative medicine and receive extra training the musculoslosketal system.

Http://www.arthritis.org Home to the Arthritis Foundation, which publicizes data on arthritis and advocates research into its treatment.

Http://www.ccnh.edu Site of Clayton College of Natural Health, which offers distance learning in Natural Health and Naturopathy. (Excellent!)

Http://www.healthfinder.org Established by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services. Includes links to other government agencies, medical journals, health media online, specialized topics for teens, adults, etc; also has links to Spanish language sites, food safety info and medical dictionaries.

Http://www.nlm.nih.gov Affiliated with Medline and the Natl. Institute of Health's Library of Medicine. Contains more than 9 million references to medical journals and includes links to information about HIV/AIDS, environmental health, and telemedicine video demos.

Http://cancer.med.upenn.edu Multimedia oncology (cancer) site affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania. Includes numerous sources for people with cancer, as well as tips on cancer prevention with hospital web site links.

Http:allergy.mcg.edu This site is maintained by allergists and specialists who treat allergies and asthma.

Http://holisticurology.com Site of The Center for Holistic Urology at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center dedicated to the complementary treatment of urinary tract disorders, including cancer, and other infections.

Http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/utcam/ Home page of the University of Texas Center for Alternative Medicine Research.

Http://www.niaaa.nig.gov Site of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism with numerous links to publications on same.

Http://www.ajcn.org Home of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which details studies on obesity, nutrition and disease, energy metabolism, vitamins and minerals.

Http:global-fitness.com/nat/mainnat.htm Want to analyze your meals for their nutritional content? This site allows you to easily break down your food by protein, carbs. Fats and other nutrients.

Http://www.veganoutreach.org Site of Vegan Outreach, an international organization dedicated to furthering vegetarian living and an improved environment.

Http://www.herbalgram.org Site sponsored by the American Botanical Council, a nonprofit organization educating the public about beneficial herbs and plants and promoting the safe and effective use of medicinal plants. (Wholeheartedly recommend!)

Http://www.cdc.gov/travel Run by the Centers for Disease Control offering health info about travel destinations across the glove; recommends various vaccinations for travel to areas susceptible to specific tropical diseases.

Http://www.refdesk.com/first Includes journals outside the health domain as well as news sites which offer the latest research news making medical headlines across the country.

Http://my.webmd.com A press-credentialed medical news organization whose goal is to "be the world's premiere authoritative daily news source for health and medicine." Site includes a prescription drug and herb database, a medical encyclopedia, Health-E-Meter, physician locator, resource center and sports and fitness information. Definitely worth a visit!