Finding and Evaluating Consumer Health Information on the Internet

Since my goal with this blog is to provide authoritative health information and to lead you to other Internet resources, I thought I'd repost some information I shared last year on how to find consumer health information on the Internet and how to evaluate that information.  Here is some very useful information:

Do not use Google to search about your diagnosis! Google is a great search engine, but it does not distinguish between what is good information and what is garbage. Like I said, anyone can post anything so beware! Those of you who have been reading my blog from the beginning know that I provide a lot of links from MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine (National Institutes of Health). (I will provide links below for all web sites I mention.) MedlinePlus is probably the best place to start when you need to look up information. They have over 800 health topics with information from over 1,000 organizations, databases for drugs and supplements and much more. You can be confident that any information you find on MedlinePlus is quality information.

Other things to consider when evaluating a web site:

Who developed the web site? Is the author clearly identified? Are the credentials of the author listed? Since anyone can post information, it is vital that you check to make sure the person giving the information is qualified to give that information. If the site does not identify the author, then that information is suspect.

Does the page show when it was last updated? Are the links to other resources still active? Many people post information on the Internet having no intention of keeping it up-to-date. That's why it's important to check for a date to be sure the information is current.

Is contact information provided so that you can e-mail, call, or write the author? If there is no contact information, then it is difficult to ascertain the validity of the information and the authority of the author.

What is the purpose of the information? Assess the reason for the information provided. Are they trying to sell you something or persuade you to do something or is the information provided for informational purposes only? If the page is designed for commercial purposes only, then there may be conflict of interest with the information provided. It is best to stick with non-commercial sites.

Can the information be verified in other sources? If a web site is not well documented, it is especially important to verify the information in other sources. If you ever find a difference in the information, it is important you check with a health care provider for clarification.

Some great resources for health information:

MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.

Top 100 List: Health Websites You Can Trust (from the Consumer and Patient Health Information Section of the Medical Library Association)

NOAH: New York Online Access to Health (organization composed of a number of New York City Libraries)

Autoimmune Diseases

Your body's immune system protects you from disease and infection. But if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. Autoimmune diseases can affect many parts of the body. These diseases tend to run in families.

There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases.  Since many have similar symptoms, it makes it hard for your health care provider to know if you really have one of these diseases, and if so, which one. It may take a while to get a diagnosis and this can be very frustrating.  In many people, the first symptoms are being tired, muscle aches and low fever.

The diseases may also have flare-ups, when they get worse, and remissions, when they all but disappear. The diseases do not usually go away, but symptoms can be treated.

Topics covered here:

Diabetes

Multiple Sclerosis

Lupus

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Diabetes (Type 1)

Diabetes means your blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. With Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to give them energy. Without insulin, too much glucose stays in your blood. Over time, high blood glucose can lead to serious problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and gums and teeth.

Type 1 diabetes happens most often in children and young adults but can appear at any age.

Symptoms may include:

- Being very thirsty

- Urinating often

- Feeling very hungry or tired

- Losing weight without trying

- Having sores that heal slowly

- Having dry, itchy skin

- Losing the feeling in your feet or having tingling in your feet

- Having blurry eyesight

- A blood test can show if you have diabetes. If you do, you will need to take insulin for the rest of your life.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Visit these sites for more information:

Diabetes:Type 1 (American Academy of Family Physicians)

Your Guide to Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Medicines for People with Diabetes (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Dealingwith Diabetes (American Diabetes Association)

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It damages the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects your nerve cells. This damage interferes with messages between your brain and your body, leading to the symptoms of MS. They can include

- Visual disturbances

- Muscle weakness

- Trouble with coordination and balance

- Sensations such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles"

- Thinking and memory problems

No one knows what causes MS. It may be an autoimmune disease, which happens when your body attacks itself. Multiple sclerosis affects woman more than men. It often begins between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually, the disease is mild, but there are people who lose the ability to write, speak or walk. There is no cure for MS, but medicines may help to slow it down and help control symptoms. Physical and occupational therapy may also be helpful.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Visit these sites for more information:

Multiple Sclerosis:Hope through Research (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

MultipleSclerosis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Diagnosis: The Basic Facts (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Disease-Modifying Drugs (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

"ButYou Look So Good!": Managing Specific Issues (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Lupus

Lupus is a disorder where your immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake. This can damage your joints, skin, blood vessels and organs. There are many different kinds of lupus. The most common type, systemic lupus erythematosus, affects many parts of the body. Discoid lupus causes a rash that doesn't go away. Subacute cutaneous lupus causes sores after being out in the sun. Another type can be caused by medication. Neonatal lupus, which is rare, affects newborns.

Anyone can get lupus, but women are most at risk. Lupus is also more common in African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American women. The cause of lupus is not known.

Lupus has many symptoms. Some common ones are

-Joint pain or swelling

-Muscle pain

-Fever with no known cause

-Red rashes, often on the face (also called the "butterfly rash")

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Visit these sites for more information:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

Lupus (Easy to Read)  (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

Immune Suppressants and Lupus (Lupus Foundation of America)

Steroids and Lupus (Lupus Foundation of America)

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in your joints. It can affect any joint but is common in the wrist and fingers. More women than men get rheumatoid arthritis. It often starts between ages 25 and 55. Symptoms may come or go so that you have the disease for only a short time, but the severe form can last a lifetime.

Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, the common arthritis that often comes with older age. RA can affect body parts besides joints, such as your eyes, mouth and lungs. 

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Visit these sites for more information:

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis? (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

Arthritis Advice (National Institute on Aging)

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Complementary andAlternative Medicine (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)

Breast Cancer links

I've already posted some other breast cancer information during this month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but I wanted to add a few more links to some other authoritative information.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/breast

What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer (National Cancer Institute)

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast

Breast Cancer (National Cancer Institute)

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_Breast_Cancer_Early_Detection.asp?sitearea=

Breast Cancer: Early Detection (American Cancer Society)

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/index.jsp

Breast Cancer Treatment and Side Effects (breastcancer.org)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breastcancer.html

More information on breast cancer from MedlinePlus

Allergies

Watery and itchy eyes? Runny nose? Sneezing?

You could be suffering from Allergies.

From late April through May, pollen from trees is the major cause of allergy flare-ups. Grass and weed pollen is the main culprit from Late May to mid July. Once fall begins, from late August to the first frost, ragweed is the most common offender. An Allergy is your body’s overreaction to a normally harmless substance.  This reaction commonly causes symptoms like the following:

Runny nose

Watery eyes

Sneezing

Stuffy nose

Itchy nose, eyes and roof of mouth

Pressure in the nose and cheeks

Ear fullness and popping

Dark circles under the eyes

Hives

Some of the most common allergens include:

Pollen

Mold spores

Animal dander

Dust and dust mites

There are some things you can do to help control your exposure to these common allergens:

Wear a pollen mask when mowing the lawn or cleaning the house.

Change air filters monthly in heating and air conditioning systems

Install an air purifier

Keep windows and doors closed during heavy pollen season

Remove indoor plants and other sources of mildew

Don’t allow dander-producing animals in your home

Change feather pillows, woolen blankets, and woolen clothing to cotton or synthetic materials.

Enclose mattress, box springs, and pillows in a plastic barrier cloth.

Use antihistamine and decongestants as recommended by your physician.

Observe general good health practices, exercise daily, stop smoking, avoid air pollutants, eat a balanced diet, and supplement diet with vitamins, especially vitamin C.

Visit these sites for more information:

General/Diagnosis:

http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/allergicDiseases/PDF/airborne_allergens.pdf

Airborne Allergens: Something in the Air (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) - Large PDF file

http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergicreaction.stm

What Is an Allergic Reaction? (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=faq
Frequently Asked Questions about Allergies (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/allergy-tests/MY00131/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all

Allergy Skin Tests (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergytesting.stm

What Is Allergy Testing? (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

Treatment:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/allergy-medications/AA00037/METHOD=print

Allergy Medications: Know Your Options (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/allergy-shots/AA00017/METHOD=print

Allergy Shots: Hope for Long-Term Allergy Relief (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/asthmaallergymedications.stm

Asthma and Allergy Medications (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

Prevention:

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/allergens.cfm

Allergens and Irritants (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/environ_control.html#

Environmental Control Measures (Nemours Foundation)

For more links on allergy, visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/allergy.html

Surgery for Breast Cancer

Here is another in a series of posts on breast cancer during the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Surgery is a very common part of the overall treatment for breast cancer.  Some patients may receive chemotherapy before surgery that will reduce the size of the tumor so less of the breast will have to be removed during surgery.  Surgery can also determine how far the cancer has spread.

The least invasive types of surgeries are breast-conserving surgeries.  With this type of surgery, only part of the breast is removed.

Lumpectomy – Only the breast lump is removed, as well as some of the normal tissue surrounding the lump.  Radiation therapy is usually given as a follow-up to a lumpectomy

Partial Mastectomy – More of the breast surrounding the lump is removed.  Radiation therapy is also given following a partial mastectomy.

Patients who undergo breast-conserving surgery may have some lymph nodes under the arms removed so they can be examined to see if the cancer has spread.

OTHER TYPES OF SURGERY:

Total Mastectomy – This surgery removes the whole breast that has cancer.  Some lymph nodes under the arm may be removed so they can be examined.

Modified Radical Mastectomy – In this surgery the whole breast that has cancer, some of the lymph nodes under the arm, the lining over the chest muscles, and sometimes, part of the chest wall muscles are removed.

Radical Mastectomy – In this surgery the breast that has cancer, chest wall muscles under the breast, and all of the lymph nodes under the arm are removed.

Follow-up treatments to surgery include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

After a mastectomy, reconstruction surgery may be considered.  This may be done at the time of the surgery or sometime in the future.  You can discuss these options with your doctor.

For more information on breast cancer and breast cancer surgery, check out these links:

Breast Cancer (PDQ): Treatment  (National Cancer Institute)

Detailed Guide: Breast Cancer  (American Cancer Society)

Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis  (Susan G. Komen for the Cure) - PDF

Vitamins and Minerals: What do you need?

Vitamins and minerals are essential to good health.  Although supplements are available, it is always best to get the proper amounts in the foods you eat.

There are several nutrients that adults typically do not get enough of, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  These nutrients are:  Calcium, Potassium, Fiber, Magnesium, Vitamins A, C and E.

It’s hard to keep track of the nutrients that each food provides so below are some nutrients and some examples of where you can find them.  (Daily values listed are for the average American on a 2,000 calories/day diet.)

CALCIUM:

(Calcium is vital in building strong bones and teeth- you should get 1,136 milligrams of calcium each day)

Yogurt, Cheese – be sure to eat the nonfat or low-fat varieties so you don’t get too much fat

Low-fat or skim milk

Fish – such as salmon or perch

Oatmeal

Soybeans or white beans

Spinach

POTASSIUM:

(Potassium is important in regulating blood pressure – you should get 4,044 milligrams of potassium each day)

Fish – such as salmon, haddock or cod

Bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, peaches

Tomatoes – sauce, paste, juice, puree

Lima beans, kidney beans

Potatoes – sweet or white

MAGNESIUM:

(Magnesium helps your body produce energy, and helps your muscles, arteries and heart work properly. You should get 380 milligrams of magnesium each day.)

Brown rice

Nuts

Navy beans, soy beans, white beans, black beans

Tofu

Bran cereal

Pumpkin, spinach, artichokes

VITAMIN A:

(Vitamin A is important in the development of good vision.)

Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach

Liver

Cantaloupe

VITAMIN C:

(Vitamin C helps the body form collagen in blood vessels, bones, cartilage and muscle.)

Fruit – oranges, kiwi, strawberries

Vegetables – red/green peppers, broccoli, cauliflower

VITAMIN E:

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which is a nutrient that helps fight damage to the cells in the body.

Peanut butter

Nuts

Spinach

Turnip greens

DIETARY FIBER

Dietary fiber is the non-digestible form of carbohydrates and lignin. Dietary fiber helps provide a feeling of fullness, and is important in promoting healthy laxation.

Beans and peas – navy beans, split peas, lentils, pinto beans, and black beans.

Whole grains

Nuts

Bran cereal

For more information on vitamins and minerals, check out the following links:

Vitamins and Minerals: How to Get What You Need (American Academy of Family Physicians)

Dietary Guidelines (U.S. Department of Agriculture)  

Men who take Vitamin E at increased risk for prostate cancer

Men who took 400 international units (I.U.) of vitamin E daily had more prostate cancers compared to men who took a placebo, according to an updated review of data from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).   There were 76 reports of prostate cancer per 1,000 men in the study among the group that took only vitamin E, compared to 65 cases per 1,000 men in the placebo group.  The results of this update appeared Oct. 12, 2011, in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Eric Klein, M.D., a study co-chair for SELECT, stated, "Based on these results and the results of large cardiovascular studies using vitamin E, there is no reason for men in the general population to take the dose of vitamin E used in SELECT as the supplements have shown no benefit and some very real risks,"

For a complete report on this study, visit NIH-Funded Study Shows Increased Prostate Cancer Risk from Vitamin E Supplements.

For an updated Q&A on SELECT, please go to http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/qa/2008/selectqa.