10 Sources for the Best Health Information

One of the best ways to keep healthy is to understand signs and symptoms of common diseases and disorders, especially as you age. The challenge is that not all health information is easy to digest for the average person. That’s why Helen Osborne named October Health Literacy Month as an opportunity for people to promote the importance of understandable health information.

The main initiative behind Health Literacy Month is to help healthcare providers become better communicators and understand the ways in which patients digest information. However, if a patient already has a basic understanding of a health concern prior to a diagnosis from a doctor, they are more likely to comprehend the complex information, ask questions, and make better decisions about their care. 

Where to Find Digestible Health Information

It is important to have a basic understanding of common health conditions that affect the aging population. Not only does knowledge make choosing care and treatment options easier, but it also helps you make take preventative measure to low your risk of aliments. There is a lot of information available on the internet, but here are ten sources with reliable health information.

1. Mayo Clinic- The Patient Care and Health Information section of the Mayo Clinic website includes comprehensive data around tons of symptoms, diseases and procedures. The Mayo Clinic also has a Healthy Aging page with a list of suggested reading for aging adults to learn more about the most common conditions of aging, such as high blood pressure, arthritis and menopause.
2. National Institutes of Health-If you’ve received a diagnosis or your doctor tells you to be more conscious of something such as your blood pressure or cholesterol, the Clear Health page on the National Institutes of Health website is great resource for directing you to informative websites, articles and blog posts about various conditions. They also provide a lot of translated resources for Spanish speakers.
3. MedlinePlus- Check out the Easy to Read Materials section on the MedlinePlus website for a list of comprehensive guides of various health conditions. You can also browse their Medical Encyclopedia for an extensive library of disease articles and images, or the Medical Test section to learn the purpose of different medical tests and why doctors order them. Many of their resources are also available in Spanish.
4. com- Understanding medications, their purpose and their side effects can be complicated. If your doctor wants to prescribe a new medication, you can look it up on Drugs.com to identify if it is the right decision for you. You can also use the Pill Identifier if you are concerned about a medication you find in a loved one’s possession.
5. The American Heart Association- Heart disease is the deadliest diseases worldwide and the American Heart Association has been working for almost 100 years to provide the public with resources to improve their heart health. Check out their Health Topics section to read about all the different types of cardiovascular conditions and the lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your chances of suffering from one.
6. com- Powered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, MyHealthFinder. Com is a great place to learn which vaccines and screenings you or a loved one should consider based on your age and gender.
7. Alzheimer’s Association- Alzheimer’s Disease is the 6^th leading cause of death with more than 5 million Americans living with the dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association provides tons of resources around helping families care for someone with Alzheimer’s, understanding brain health and understanding the differences between Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
8. National Breast Cancer Foundation- If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the National Breast Cancer Foundation is a great source of inspiration and education. Not only do they have information about the signs, symptoms and treatment of breast cancer, but you can also learn about breast anatomy and breast cancer myths.
9. American Diabetes Association-Millions of Americans are living with diabetes, and the American Diabetes Associations provides tools for maintaining a quality of life with the condition. You can find meal ideas, exercise routines and reading materials to learn how diabetes affect your body. They also have an online community where you can connect with other who live with diabetes.
10. org- Visit this site from The American Academy of Family Physicians for trusted medical advice and prevention tips. You can also find general wellness tips and family health information.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

If you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with a disease and you need help understanding treatment and recovery options, the skilled caregivers at Visiting Angels Conway can help. Our team can provide reliable resources to help you and your loved one make informed decisions about your care. We also provide services such as transportation to appointments, light housekeeping, personal care assistance and more. If you live in Conway or the surrounding area and you would like to learn more about how Visiting Angels can help you and your family, give us a call at 501-329-2100.