ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Alternative Health News
Online Recognized by Tufts University Center on Nutrition Information,
this site has given itself the daunting task of weeding out unreputable
alternative medicine information on the Internet. Features links to other
sites, articles and abstracts on different therapies, lists the various
alternative/integrative specialties. Communicate with integrative medicine
practitioners like Dr. Andrew Weil.
National Center for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine This is a division of the
National Institute of Health and is funded by our tax dollars. This is the
first organization to systematically conduct scientific studies into the value
of alternative medicine.
The absence of many controlled clinical trials involving
unconventional remedies limits not only our ability to quantify risks, but also
our capacity to measure benefits. The allure of unconventional remedies
probably means that the general bias that traditional medical treatments are
poisons, homeopathic treatments are wholesome elixirs, will never be
eliminated. Nonetheless, more study [such as that being supported by the
National Center for Complementary and Alternative medicine, established in 1992]
will at least make data-driven decisions possible for those of us who like to
view medicine as a science, not a belief system.
Quackwatch - Your guide to
quackery, health fraud, and intelligent decisions. Operated by Stephen
Barrett MD. To help
visitors with special areas of interest, we maintain 21 additional sites for
autism, chiropractic, dentistry, multilevel marketing, and many other hot
topics. We are also closely affiliated with the National Council Against Health
Fraud, which cosponsors our free weekly newsletter, and with Bioethics Watch,
which highlights issues of questionable research on humans.
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American Academy of Family
Physicians This has a great consumer area where you can look up just about
anything.
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ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
ADD Warehouse - This
is a fantastic resource! It is a mail order publishing house that
specializes in material concerned with ADD, ADHD, Tourette's syndrome, Learning
Disorders and other problems. It has material appropriate for teachers,
parents, physicians and, most important of all, individuals ranging from ages
preschool to adulthood who have these problems. A sampling of books
available from the Warehouse: Putting on the Brakes: Young People's Guide
to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Otto Learns About His
Medicine; Your Defiant Child: 8 Steps to Better Behavior. There are many
more so order your own copy of the catalog for free and place an order!
(No, I get no kickback for this great publicity!)
CHADD a non profit
organization dedicated to educating everyone about disorders of attention.
Every family with an individual with ADHD/ADD should be a member of CHADD.
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CANCER
The Sister Study - a
scientific study of breast cancer risk in the sisters of women who have had
breast cancer. This study is sponsored by the National Institutes of
Health so we all pay for it with our taxes. 2007 is the last recruitment year
and they are really wanting to recruit minority and Latina women although women
of any ethnic background are welcome.
Understanding Cancer
Risk - a site sponsored through the National Institutes of Health to help us
all figure out what to believe when we hear claims on TV or read something in
print. This site includes concepts such as: What is risk? Can I
lower my risk? Is this news story true? Risk assessment tools.
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CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
The Dash
Diet a dietary approach to treating high blood pressure. You know who
you are! Yes, this is the site Dr. Anne preaches about. Go on, click
on the title and surf over the entire site. This is chock full of great
tips for dietary management [that means NO PILLS] of high blood pressure.
American Heart Association A great site with information about High Blood
Pressure, Cholesterol, Smoking, Stroke and many other areas.
Aspirinworks.com - This
educational website has information about this powerful drug, Aspirin.
Many people don't realize that aspirin probably would only be available by
prescription today if it were recently discovered. If you have some form
of cardiovascular disease, you should probably be taking aspirin but check with
Dr Anne first!
Blood Pressure Monitors - the ultimate source to find out which products are properly calibrated
and approved by the national certification agency for monitors. Fewer than
half the monitors on the market are reliable. This site will help you find
out which monitors are worth your money.
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CLOTHING
Decent
Exposures This woman owned and operated company specializes in
clothing made of 100 % organic cotton. Dr. Anne often recommends it
because of the high quality bras they custom make for hard to fit women.
They also have panties, leggings, skirts, shirts. You may call them
at 1-800-524-4949.
FootSmart Comfort
Shoes & Socks * Footcare * Lower Body Health. OK I have never
ordered from this company but somehow I got on their mailing list and every time
I look at their catalog I see stuff I want. I also see items I know my
patients could use. They have items for low back pain down to your
tootsies. You can call them and request a paper catalog at 800.870.7149.
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Centers for Disease
Control A great website with information on everything from allergies
to traveling to Zanzibar. (Get it, A to Z?) They have information on
immunizations, travel and infectious disease including sexually transmitted
infections. These three are the most commonly encountered reasons Dr.
Anne's patients need to go to this website.
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Children and Families
The International Dyslexia
Society Great information for those who struggle with dyslexia which
is really just a general term for all types of problems understanding
written information.
Kids Are Worth
It! A phenomenal woman is behind this site. Barbara Colaroso is
a former nun and now mother of 3 children who left school teaching to work full
time educating parents and teachers about methods to deal with children.
Dr. Anne adopted her famous "Kids pay for their own socks" rule utilizing Mrs.
Colaroso's philosophy of natural consequences. When Dr. Anne's kids kept
going outdoors in their sock feet and driving Dr. Anne crazy with this behavior,
she realized something had to change. Dr. Anne decided to have the kids
pay for their own socks thus allowing her to "let go" of her frustration.
It worked; Dr. Anne is no longer frustrated by this particular problem and, yes,
the kids still go outside in their sock feet!
Kid's Health is a
very lively and clever web site designed to encourage kids, teens and parents to
find the information they need.
Grand's Place News
This is a site Dr. Anne read about in Dear Abby! It is a support type site
for Grandparents raising grandchildren. For local resources geared
towards "Grands", see the page Northwest Georgia Resources.
Media and the
Family exists to maximize the benefits and minimize the harm of media
on the health and development of children and families. The vision of this
non profit national institute is to be the trusted national voice and resource
to help children and families thrive within the dynamic media culture.
Million Mom
March This non-profit organization focuses on gun safety,
the national epidemic of gun violence in our country and how it impacts our
children. Every time we lose another child to gun violence, we hear a
great deal of outrage at the senselessness of the tragedy; but rarely do we hear
about a tangible opportunity to do something to prevent more children from
dying.
PARENTS TELEVISION
COUNCIL This not for profit organization has a great website to bring
you the latest information about campaigns to clean up television, family
viewing guides and tools to take action. It's all free although they would
love a donation!
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Consumer
Reports Medical Guide Get unbiased, independent health information at your fingertips when you need
it, from ConsumerReportsMedicalGuide.org. What can I say?
This organization has been around for decades, takes no advertising and has a
solid reputation. The regular i.e. non-medical Consumer Reports is another
worthwhile resource for everyone. Neither accepts any type of advertising.
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Dermatology
AcneNet
This site is sponsored by the American College of Dermatology. It has a
lot of other information re dermatologic issues but the section on acne is
wonderful.
National Rosacea
Society This is a not for profit organization. Their newsletter
is published several times a year with all sorts of information about the
treatment of the skin disorder known as Rosacea. W.C. Fields and Bill
Clinton are two examples of individuals with Rosacea. They can
be reached at 1-800-NO-BLUSH.
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DIABETES
American Diabetes Association homepage
Accuchek This
website has many resources for diabetics.
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EXERCISE
Collage Video
This is a mail-order company that specializes in exercise videos. They
have over 300 videos ranging from sittercise to the Marine Corp Workout and
everything in between. Dr. Anne has ordered from them a number of times
and has never had a problem with their service. They carry the "Fitball",
the large inflatable exercise ball that Dr. Anne may have mentioned to you.
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GASTROENTEROLOGY [STOMACH STUFF]
International Foundation for
Functional GI Disorders - a fantastic resource for folks suffering from
various and sundry problems with their digestive tract. There's a lot of
good information here so open this site up and go to it!
Irritable Bowl Association - The name says it all!
Can Diet Influence Barrett's Esophagus?
Digestive Health SmartBrief - a FREE weekly newsletter sponsored by the American College of Gastroenterology that has cutting edge news about developments in the GI world. Some quotes from subscribers: "The design is perfect and easy to read. There is an abundance of information. It's good that there is information of various conditions because not everyone suffers from the same problems."
"The amount of material is not overwhelming and there seems to be a little bit for everyone! The format is also very user friendly."
American College of Gastroenterology - the website for all the Gastroenterology consultants in the country. They have a great patient site and this link will take you to it. This is one of the better patient websites sponsored by a physician organization and time is well spent here if you have GI concerns or issues. They have everything from podcasts to webpages explaining different conditions and procedures. En Espanol!
The American Liver Foundation - The liver may be the largest organ in the body, weighing in at 3 1/2 pounds, but it is neither the most popular nor the best understood. So when a diagnosis of liver disease is made, it can be a frightening and confusing time in the lives of many patients and their families. That's where the American Liver Foundation comes in. Their mission is to facilitate, advocate and promote education, support and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease. Some brochures in Spanish.
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PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Devices 4
Less Another resource for handicapped individuals.
The Lighthouse Specializing in items for visually handicapped individuals, this is a great
resource to know about. They publish a paper catalog and you can get on
their mailing list for this.
The Sexual Health
Network Provides easy access to sexuality information, education,
counseling, therapy, medical attention, and other sexuality resources for people
with disability, illness, or other health related problems.
TV Ears A great product to
help the hearing impaired hear television clearly. Dr. Anne's mother
obtained this product and couldn't believe how clearly she heard TV. The
cost is a little steep at a little over $200.00 but this is one great
product.
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Harvard Health
Newsletter Dr. Anne always encourages patients to get good quality
medical information. Can't get much more reliable than Harvard
University.
National Headache Foundation This is a non-profit organization that exists to
educate the public about all types of headaches. There is a wealth of
information about migraine headache on this site.
American Heart Association A great site with information about High Blood
Pressure, Cholesterol, Smoking, Stroke and many other areas.
American Lung Association Great information on lung disease. Some really good
stuff on smoking cessation.
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MEDICATIONS
It's getting pretty standard for new drugs to have their own
website. Try typing in your drug name followed by .com and see what you
get.
SAFETY OF CANADIAN DRUGS
Questions have been raised in the US press recently about the
safety of Canadian drugs. The process of
drug approval in Canada is similar to that in the US (D Paul, Int J Med
Marketing 2001; 1:224). More than 90% of drugs available in Canada have also
been approved by the FDA. Most of these
drugs come from the same manufacturers as drugs in the US. Health Canada
takes longer on average to release drugs
than the FDA does; more than half the drugs discontinued for safety reasons by the FDA between 1992 and 2001 had not
been approved for use in Canada (NS
Rawson and KI Kaitin, Ann Pharmacotherapy 2003; 37:1403).
Websites claiming to sell Canadian drugs,
however, may be selling counterfeit drugs from unregulated
sources
Coumadin Home
Page Great information for those of you taking this drug.
Pharmaceutical
Research and Manufacturers of America sponsors a site that includes a
directory of drug assistance programs available to the public. If you are
on Medicare, this is the site for you. Talk about finding out how to save
money!
Helping
Patients This online database will help patients without prescription
drug coverage access user friendly information about more than 1,400 medicines
currently offered free through patient assistance programs sponsored by the
pharmaceutical industry and others. People who need help obtaining
medicines can log on, fill out an online form and receive a list of programs
that they may qualify for. These programs help tens of thousands of
patients each year, and this is the first time ever that all industry resources
have been organized into one website.
Niaspan
Levoxyl
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MENTAL HEALTH
Alzheimer's Association
The association is the largest national voluntary health organization dedicated
to conquering Alzheimer's disease through research and providing support and
assistance to people with the disease and their caregivers. Call for
information or go online. 800-272-3900.
Depression and Bipolar
Support Alliance This is a not for profit organization
that exists to provide education and information about these disorders.
Their scientific board of directors is like a "Who's Who" in the world of mental
health. Excellent website; they have online support groups
available.
Getting Them Sober -
This website and series of books by Toby Rice Drews has won recognition for her
practical approach to the multiple issues faced by families of alcoholics.
Dear Abby said, "this book should be read by everyone". Her writings
have been endorsed by Harvard University, Library Journal and Dr. Normal Vincent
Peale.
NCADD The National
council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence provides education and public
awareness information. Hope Line 800-NCA-CALL.
National Institute of Mental
Health Our government sponsored website on mental health. This is full
of all sorts of information.
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NEUROLOGIC CONDITIONS
RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME
FOUNDATION An education, advocacy and research organization. You
may also call 877-463-6757.
National Institutes of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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NUTRITION
The Center for Science in the Public
Interest Dr. Anne often recommends this website to patients for its
great nutritional content. A year's subscription to their paper newsletter
costs only $28 and is worth double the price. Dr. Anne has subscribed to
their newsletter for years and thinks every American should receive it!
So, what are you waiting for? Subscribe!
Tufts University
Nutrition Newsletter Another great nutrition newsletter from a
university with an international reputation in the field of Nutrition
research. Subscription to this is also quite reasonable.
Interactive Healthy Eating
Index evaluates your diet. All you need to do is type in what
your ate and how much. This site created by the US Department of
Agriculture's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, uses a database of
7,500 different foods and allows you to enter as many foods as you've eaten on a
given day. This site is packed full of information. It's nice to see
our tax dollar being spent wisely!
Milk
Matters focuses on America's "calcium crisis". This site offers
educational information for parents and will soon add games and interactive
content for children. Today's calcium deprived children and teens will
likely face osteoporosis and other bone health problems as they age.
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ORTHOPEDICS
American Academy of
Orthopedic Surgeons This has a good section for the
public and includes all sorts of information on orthopedic problems i.e.
diseases and conditions involving the skeleton. There is also information
on the following and more: Risk of Falling; Driving Safety; Sports
injuries; Shoe wear; Spine problems. Some information is available in
Spanish.
Intelihealth This site is
sponsored by the Aetna Insurance Company; however, it features information from
Harvard University's Consumer Health information website also.
Spine Health publishes
original, award-winning articles written for patients by over 80 physician
authors and peer-reviewed by a 23 member Medical Advisory Board. This trusted,
independent site is supported by hundreds of physician members and visited by
millions of patients and their physicians.
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OSTEOPOROSIS
National Osteoporosis
Foundation This is the organization that sets the standards for
management of osteoporosis. They have the ear of the government and
insurance companies. The board of directors is like a "Who's Who" of
osteoporosis research.
Osteoporosis and Related Bone
Diseases National Resource
Center This site is dedicated to providing patients, health professionals and the
public with educational materials and other resources to expand awareness and
enhance knowledge and understanding about osteoporosis and related bone
diseases.
Coral
Calcium So, you are interested in this, are you? Here is a great
expose from Quackwatch on Robert Barefoot, the proponent for coral calcium.
Basically, coral calcium is no better than any other type of calcium but, what
really gets my goat is that it profits this guy, who seems to be a real lowlife.
Read the expose.
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PAIN
American Academy of Pain
Management
American Chronic Pain
Association
National Fibromyalgia
Association
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ROME AND NORTHWEST GEORGIA
Teen Plus Center in
Rome, GA Our local center that is attempting to lower the teen
pregnancy rate in Rome. They do great work and their site speaks for
itself.
The Kinship Care Program According to the 2000 Census, over 92,000 grandparents were responsible for raising their grandchildren in the state of Georgia. The Department of Human Resources (DHR) is reaching out to grandparents raising grandchildren by providing more access to resources through all of its services/programs. The Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging also realizes that many other children are being raised by relatives or caregivers other than parents or grandparents. The Kinship Care program seeks to assist all non-parent caregivers with resources, programs and services to meet the specific needs of these caregivers.
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SENIORS
AARP Who doesn't
know what AARP is? Great website.
American Bar Association
Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly This public-service arm of
the ABA offers a "Consumer's Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning," a
thought-provoking collection of worksheets designed to help you select a
health-care proxy, define your personal priorities and spiritual values, and
initiate difficult conversations with loved ones. You can also click on
"Publications and Online Resources" to find a booklet with advance-directive
forms.
Aging with
Dignity This organization, created to help improve the quality of care
for sick and dying patients and their families, offers "5 Wishes", an easy to
read living will and health care proxy form without all the legalese.
Their "Next Steps" brochure has tips on how to talk with loved ones about their
wishes, how to be a good health-care proxy for someone else, and how to broach
the subject of end-of-live care with your doctor. You can preview both
documents online; call [888]5-WISHES [594-7437] to order ($5 apiece).
Driving Issues - This webpage from the National Highway Transportation and
Safety Administration has a number of items of interest. It has a self
assessment quiz for Seniors to review their driving habits. It has
information for family members of seniors. It has information resources
including other websites, books and driving courses available to Seniors.
Eldercare Online An
Internet community of people caring for aging loved ones. It provides
information, education, practical tools and support to families coping with the
impact of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Georgia Council on
Aging The GCOA advocates on behalf of older Georgians and their
famillies.
Georgia Nursing Home
Association GNHA is committed to continuously improving the quality of
life of all persons requiring long term health care. "Serving Georgia's
elderly since 1953."
National Institute on
Aging
Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging [no
website available] A great information resource covering the
following: financial assistance with utilities, in-home care, local
prescription assistance, finding a sitter, elder abuse protection, fraud
prevention, food and many other resources. There are over 1,600 listings
for Northwest Georgia alone. Contact them at 706-295-6485 or P.O.Box
1793 Rome, Ga 30162-1793.
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SEXUALITY
American Association of Sex
Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) For information
and referrals for certified sex therapists all over the country.
Parents, Families and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays Support and Advocacy resources.
Sexuality Information and
Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) SIECUS is a national
nonprofit organization which affirms that sexuality is a natural and healthy
part of living. An excellent source, with an extensive library filled with
information about sexuality and sex education.
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SMOKING CESSATION
American Cancer Society
American Heart
Association
American Lung Association
California Smokers
Quitline 1-800-NO-BUTTS
Massachusetts Smokers'
Quitline 1-800-879-8678
National Cancer Institute
Nicotine
Anonymous
QuitNet
Quit Smoking
Support
Why Quit This site is
full of all sorts of smoking related information including pictures of lungs of
smokers. The site seems to be somewhat against nicotine replacement
therapy but, other than that, seems pretty well balanced.
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Weight Management
Academy for Eating Disorders
American Society for Bariatric
Surgery This professional organization of surgeons who
specialize in surgery for weight reduction i.e. "stomach stapling", gastric
bypass, etc. You can call them at 352-331-4900. Excellent website
with a lot of great information about this type of surgery.
Bariatric website
for Harbin Clinic This is full of information about the new
bariatric program at Harbin Clinic. Dr. Scott is the bariatric surgeon
affiliated with Harbin Clinic since August 2003 and he has had an active role in
planning this website.
Dottie's Weight
Loss Zone This site has incredible information about the nutritional
content of foods eaten out in chain restaurants. Want to know the
nutrition content and Weight Watcher points for Appleby's blackened chicken
salad? This is the site for you!
Collage Video
This is a mail-order company that specializes in exercise videos. They
have over 300 videos ranging from sittercise to the Marine Corp Workout and
everything in between. Dr. Anne has ordered from them a number of times
and has never had a problem with their service. They carry the "Fitball",
the large inflatable exercise ball that Dr. Anne may have mentioned to you.
National Association to Advance Fat
Acceptance, Inc.
National Eating Disorders
Association
National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Obesity Education Initiative
Your tax dollar at work! This is a great website. You can call them
at 301-592-8573.
Overeaters
Anonymous
Weight-control
Information Network
Weight Watcher's Home
Page This is one of the few commercial weight loss programs
recommended by Dr. Anne. They have an internet based program that allows
you to participate without having to attend meetings. The chat rooms and
bulletin boards are available to everyone without membership.
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WOMEN'S HEALTH
American College of OB-GYN an
excellent site obviously dedicated to women's health issues.
Association of
Reproductive Health Professionals Patient Education Site This
patient-oriented site from the ARHP includes online brochures and
information. Two interactive programs on the site can help you test your
"contraception IQ" and choose the right birth control method.
Birth Control Pill
Coverage Information about the current political climate towards
insurance coverage for birth control pills.
Center for Young
Women's Health Sponsored by Children's Hospital in Boston, this site
provides information about health issues that affect teenage girls and young
women.
Emergency Contraception
Site Operated by Princeton University, this site provides
accurate information about emergency contraception (the "morning after pill")
and a directory of clinicians who provide it.
The National Women's
Health Center this website is provided by your tax dollar and is a good
resource for all types of information on women's health.
North American Menopause
Society (NAMS) a professional organization of physicians, nurses
and other medical professionals dedicated to improving the lives of women from
the menopause and beyond.
Planned
Parenthood This is the world's largest and oldest voluntary family
planning organization. An excellent resource for information about birth
control and women's health.
University of Virginia Hormone Therapy Fact Sheet - a 12 page overview of
risks and benefits of Hormone Therapy including traditional prescription
hormones and "bio-identicals". This is the 2004 Fact Sheet: the 2007
update is in process.
University
of Virginia - This university, founded by Thomas Jefferson, is a jewel of an
institution. Many women don't realize that TJ's school is in the forefront
of women's health. They have a great website with a large area devoted to
all aspects of women's health not just GYN.
Women's Health Information
Center This is a broad-based website for women's health information
maintained by your tax dollar.
Wyeth Women's
Health Underwritten by the makers of Premarin, the "Grandmother"
of estrogen, this site has a number of links to sites on women's health.
National Women's Health
Information Center This is a federally developed website that covers
all aspects of women's health. Everything from sexual assault, to
Irritable Bowel Syndrome to PMS is found here. Take a look!
The Office on Women's
Health
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