HIGHTSTOWN MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, PA

Educational Links - Disease Specific Information

Beyond what can be found by searching the general interest sites, below are some specific references for selected topics.

Updated 1/2/06

  • Aging: Resources for aging patients and their caregivers

  • AIDS: Among the multitude of sites devoted to HIV and AIDS, check out these:
    • AIDS.org This site contains a wide variety of AIDS-related information and services. Content includes fact sheets, daily news, real-time discussion groups, data from recent clinical trials, conference abstracts and listings, and a comprehensive links library. Locations and contact information are also provided for HIV testing and vaccination facilities.
    • The Body: General Treatment Forum This site hosts three physicians specializing in AIDS care and treatment, answering questions on this interactive site. Visitors may post their questions or comments to any one of several fora arranged by subject matter, or access an archive of previous discussions on the same subject. Supplemental articles are available for additional research.
    • The AIDS Channel provides webcasts and other resources and icludes news and updates on treatment and management, chat rooms, a doctor's forum, an online pharmacy and online resource listings.

  • Allergy and Asthma:
    • Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America This site lists locations and contact information for support groups across the country and a wide range of online educational materials--including pamphlets, newsletters and games.
    • Allerdays is intended to provide allergy sufferers with an interactive forum for the exchange of ideas and information. Access up-to-date pollen forecasts and late-breaking news, share comments with other users, and compete in a variety of contests.
    • Allernet helps patients take a step toward succesful management of their allergies with this reference guide that provides detailed information about allergy and its related complications. Features include background information, the National Pollen Network's allergy forecasts, and links to other sites.
    • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases This site contains hundreds of fact sheets and news releases on topics including AIDS, tuberculosis, Lyme disease, asthma and hepatitis.
    • National Asthma Campaign is an Australian, non-profit body that serves the community by creating awareness and providing information about asthma. The site provides asthma background and information, a listing of pertinent publications, and first aid advice for asthma emergencies.
    • Mothers of Asthmatics, a subsidiary of the Allergy and Asthma Network, is dedicated to the elimination of morbidity and motality due to asthma and allergies through education, advocacy, community outreach, and research. After completing a brief registration, you gain access to news releases, publications, outreach programs, and drug updates and recalls.
    • Allergy and Asthma Advocate is a quarterly newsletter with advice and information on living with asthma and allergies. Content may be viewed free online or a printed version ordered for $6 per year.
    • BreathingZone.com was created by a nationwide group of asthma and allergy specialists. Breaking news and feature articles are offered. Enter your zip code and the pollen levels for your area will be displayed. The members area, behind a free registration, provides an email newsletter, emailed pollen warnings and interactive bulletin boards.

  • Alternative and Complementary Medicine:

  • Arthritis:
    • Arthritis.com has information and resources for patients with arthritis. There are news items and feature stories which are updated daily. There are also fact sheets and articles covering the symptoms, diagnosis, management, treatment and risk factors for arthritis.
    • AboutArthritis.com offers a variety of resources related to the care and management of arthritis, designed for patients. Feature articles as well as news and basic information will be found here, though the site is short on advanced content.
    • ArthritisWebsite.com is a fully featured site which, after a brief free registration, can be customized for easy access to the news and information of particular interest. Features include advice for the newly diagnosed, recent happenings, healthy lifestyle tips and pain management advice.
    • CreakyJoints.com is an informative and highly entertaining site dedicated to the more than 900 million arthritis sufferers. Access diaries, personal accounts and opinions, or participate in one of the CreakyJoints message boards. There are feature articles and discussions of the state of the art in arthritis treatment. The site also includes product alerts.

  • Breast Cancer:

  • Cancer: There are many sites devoted to cancer information. Here are a few:
    • The National Cancer Institute's Cancernet Page has a vast amount of information on all types of cancer. There are over 100 summaries arranged by cancer type, site and patient age. There are full-text illustrated publications as well. Within this site, you can obtain information on cancer type-specific prevention and genetic risk information.
    • The University of Pennsylvania's Oncolink has information on cancers and their treatment, by cancer type or by treating specialty, as well as information for cancer patients on quality of life issues, support groups, ongoing studies, etc. Also are lists of cancer-specific journals with links to their home pages.
    • Cancer Care, Inc. has been around since 1944, dedicated to providing emotional support, information and practical help to cancer patients and their families. The site provides information on how to receive further assistance, a library of background material focusing on 10 different kinds of cancer, and a variety of other information. All services are provided free of charge.
    • HBO Cancer Home Page HBO provides this multimedia resource filled with patient-friendly facts and presentations on cancer. Visitors may read one of several background articles, peruse cancer news from Oncology.com and WebMD.com, or contact several cancer support groups before viewing the principle feature of this page, a group of webcasts featuring cancer experts.
    • Oncology.com provides daily updated cancer news, interactive chat rooms, and an up-to-date listing of related events. You can also create a "personal diary," which can record and send reminders of appointments, drug and exercise schedules, and allows recording of personal observations or bookmarking important web-based articles.
    • The NCI's Division of Clinical Sciences has a site called Bethesda Trials that is designed to help cancer patients and health care professionals learn the steps in joining clinical studies conducted by the NCI at its home base at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
    • The CancerTrials site contains information and news about cancer research studies (clinical trials) which evaluate new treatment, prevention or detection methods for cancer. It is a clinical trials information resource provided by the NCI.
    • The National Cancer Institute's CancerNet TM Web site provides cancer information for the public, health professionals, and basic researchers. CancerNet contains information from PDQ®, NCI's comprehensive cancer database, including summaries on cancer treatment, screening, prevention, and supportive care, and information on ongoing clinical trials.
    • The Cancer Information Service (CIS) site is a free public site under the NCI and is a source for the latest and most accurate cancer information for patients, their families, the general public and health care professionals. The Cancer Information Service is the NCI's link to the public, interpreting and explaining research findings in a clear and understandable manner.
    • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' healthfinder® is a free gateway to reliable consumer health information. It provides users with information on selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, and Web sites, as well as support and self-help groups.
    • The National Library of Medicine's MEDLINEplus Web site includes links to information about a number of health topics, medical dictionaries, databases (including MEDLINE), clearinghouses, directories, organizations, publications and health news, and consumer health libraries.
    • The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) facilitates and supports basic and applied research of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities. It sponsors training for researchers and disseminates information about CAM therapies to practitioners and to the public.
    • National Cancer Institute publications and materials may now be ordered or viewed online at the Publications \ Locator Web site. Instructions and helpful Frequently Asked Questions for how to use this site are available.
    • The University of Texas Center for Alternative Medicine Research (UT-CAM) is one of eleven centers established by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health to evaluate alternative therapies. UT-CAM is the only Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) center focused solely on alternative and complementary cancer therapies and co-funded by the National Cancer Institute.
    • Hodgkins Disease is an article from the American Cancer Society which provides information and statistics about Hodgkins Disease. Links to news and other related resources is included.
    • CancerPage.com is a source of information on prevention, detection and treatment of all types of cancer meant for patients and their families. This also includes a clinical trial listing and a marketplace for ordering health care products. There is also a section addressing supplements for those interested in alternative methods of treatment and management.
    • Captain Chemo is a website from the Royal Marsden Cancer Center in England which uses an animated game to help teens understand and deal with their cancer.
    • Lower Your Cancer Risk is a Harvard sponsored site which enables visitors to calculate their risk of specific types of cancer. Each test is simple to take and provides an estimate of your risk for that type of cancer, as well as steps you can take to reduce your risk.

  • Cardiovascular Disease:
    • American Heart Association Included in this site is the Heart and Stroke Guide, which includes 20 pages of links to subjects such as hypertension, cholesterol and rheumatic heart disease. Each link provides a monograph on the subject and then links to other related sites.
    • HeartPoint uses graphics, animation and text to explain cardiac subjects such as mitral valve prolapse, endocarditis, and ventricular arrhythmias. A full-color animated illustration of atrial fibrillation is accompanied by a detailed, thorough textual explanation of the condition. An overview of causes, symptoms and epidemiology is followed by descriptions of available tests and a review of treatment options including defibrillators, surgery and cardioversion. The HeartPoint Gallery includes similar information on several cardiac diseases and on procedures including bypass surgery, angioplasty, pacemakers and catheterization.
    • HeartSite.com is a comprehensive site providing patient information on many cardiovascular tests and procedures, as well as several disease states. It uses graphics and Java applets to illustrate the discussion. Despite a few typos and layout glitches, this is an excellent site, worth a look.
    • PediHeart focuses on congenital heart defects. This site offers information for parents. Illustrated patient handouts include embedded links to information of related conditions. Parents can link to detailed clinical information that discusses morphology, associated lesions, preoperative diagnosis, surgical management, and reoperation. Cardiac diagnostic testing procedures are also described in detail.
    • CardioCounselor is an interactive site that gives you an estimate of your cardiovascular disease risk. You are asked a series of questions (after registering), the answers to which allow the program to calculate a rough risk percentage. Along the way, you are given tips on lowering your risk factors. Again at the end, the summary table is a list of clickable links that take you to a more detailed discussion of your risk factors. It saves your data for comparison later if you revisit and repeat the process. You may also print your results. Obviously, these calculated values are not a substitute for good judgement. If you believe that you are at risk, you should see your physician and discuss this further.
    • High Blood Pressure Myths and Misconceptions is a short page which discussed just what the title suggests. Worth a brief look.

  • Colon Cancer:
    • The Colon Cancer Alliance is an organization of colon and rectal cancer survivors, caregivers, people with a genetic predisposition to the disease, and others touched by colon cancer. This site enables visitors to contact other survivors or caregivers for information and support. News, research and legislation is available, as well as links to other useful resources.

  • Depression:

  • Diabetes Mellitus:
    • Hightstown Medical Associates Diabetes Mellitus Summary Page is a quick overview of the disease, it's complications and treatment options.
    • Home Blood Glucose Monitoring Log is a simple form for tracking your home blood glucose results up to eight times per day. Space is provided for two weeks' results. In Excel (preferred because of formulas which calculate averages) or PDF form. Download the Excel form (right click and Save Target As) or download or print the PDF (right click and select Save Target As to save it or Print Target to print the form).
    • CDC Diabetes pages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seeks to raise public awareness of diabetes and to disseminate key infomraiton about this devastating disease, including statistics and press releases from CDC and DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services).
    • Diabetes Advocate is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and focuses on policy and legislation affecting those with diabetes.
    • Diabetes.com is a thorough resource providing background information on diabetes and related problems. News items, feature articles, and prescription guides are all updatedregularly. Selected content includes a guide for those newly diagnosed, answers to questions on diet and sexual intimacy, and reviewed links.
    • MyDiabetes.com, part of the MyHealthyLife.com site, provides information and a lifestyle questionnaire to help you track the impact of diabetes on your life.
    • Diabetes Statistics from the NIDDK, is a quick overview of important diabetes related statistics.
    • Diabetes Publications is a list of publications which can be ordered/purchased or obtained online. Some of these are excellent. Browse the list.
    • Directory of Diabetes Organizations is just what it sounds like, an extensive listing of links to diabetes sites, governmental and private.

  • Gastroenterology:
    • Common GI Problems is a three-volume series of Consumer Health Brochures which was developed for patients by experts from the American College of Gastroenterology. Each pamplet covers several GI conditions and digestive diseases.

  • Geriatrics and Aging:
    • The Society for Health in Aging, a division of the American Geriatrics Society, champions initiatives in public policy, clinical research and public education that advance the principles of geriatric medicine. This new site includes links to articles and publications, and offers information about patient fora.

  • Immunology and Vaccines:
    • ImmuneDisease.com offers in-depth information for patients and health care professionals interested in the field of immunology.
    • National Immunization Program is dedicated to the effective administration and safety of vaccinatiions through education. Visitors can access articles and news items concerning available vaccines and view immunization schedules and recommendations (including meningitis immunization).

  • Kidney Disease:
    • Nephron Information Center This is an excellent resource for information about kidney diseases, dialysis, and transplants. It includes an effective multimedia presentation on How the Kidney Works and an extensive publication, The Dialysis Patient's Health Guide. Extensive kidney disease links include the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' fact sheets on endocrinologic, hematologic, digestive, kidney, and urologic diseases.

  • Lipid Disorders:
    • Cleveland Clinic Interactive Cholesterol Education Program is a simplified description of the role of cholesterol in health and disease and how to go about lowering cholesterol. The free Shockwave plugin is required and can be downloaded from the site (with a cable modem this took about 2 minutes).

  • Liver Disease:

  • Lung Disease:
    • The American Lung Association site contains general information and links to subsites containing disease specific information, including an A to Z listing of many common and uncommon pulmonary diseases. There is also a section for Smoking Cessation.

  • Men's Health:

  • Migraine Headaches:

  • Nutrition, Eating Disorders and Fitness:    (See also Obesity below)
    • Merck Manual of Therapy: Nutritional Disorders is a thorough reference guide to information on disorders related to malnutrition, vitamin or mineral toxicity or dependency, and obesity.
    • Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the US Department of Agriculture. This is a 44 page book, in Acrobat (PDF) format, which you can read or print.
    • WWW.FoodSafety.Gov is a government site with news and information, safety alerts, facts about foodborne pathogens and links to other organizations and initiatives.
    • American Anorexia/Bulimia Association, Inc. is a national, nonprofit organization. Visitors to this site will find general information on anorexia, bulimia and eating disorders.
    • National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders is the oldest national non-profit organization helping eating disorder victims and their families. This site provides information and legislative updates. You can access a hotline offering referrals to physicians nationwide and support groups, and can sign up for a personalized newsletter.
    • The American Obesity Association site provides a variety of resources for those patients suffering from obesity.
    • CyberDiet is a very well done site with a variety of useful and interesting information, including meal planners and analysis of fast-food restaurants (want to compare burgers among the local joints, just go here).
    • Nutrition and Prostate Cancer: The Complete Report was prepared by leading nutritional researchers studying how diet affects the onset and progression of prostate cancer. It is also available in printed form.
    • Weight Loss and Control, from the NIH, has links to a variety of information on weight, obesity, dieting, exercise, and general nutrition.

  • Obesity:    (See also Nutrition, Eating Disorders and Fitness above)

  • Orthopedics:
    • Orthogate is the definitive access point to orthopedic patient education resources and was developed by the Orthopedic Internet Consortium. It consists of two main sections: 24 printed pages of patient education links and multimedia presentations developed by the Medical Multimedia Group. Orthogate contains comprehensive patient guides on low back pain, spinal rehabilitation, shoulder, upper extremity and hand problems, knee, foot and ankle disorders, and hip and knee replacements.
    • Spine-Health.com provides a series of resources aimed at assisting the victims of spinal injury or disease as well as their caregivers. Patients can read background material providing an overview of the cuses, symptoms, and treatments available for back pain. Users may also submit questions to be answered by specialists, participate in patient fora, or access more in-depth information about a particular problem or condition.

  • Osteoporosis:
    • National Osteoporosis Foundation. A comprehensive site which covers risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoposis and has additional information about legislation and male osteoporosis (20% of all osteoporosis occurs in men).
    • Osteoporosis Education System This review is based on peer-reviewed material, divided into six modules, and includes pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and socioeconomic impact. All extensively cross-referenced, with links to supplemental material.

  • Skin Disease, including Skin Cancer:
    • AcneNet from the American Academy of Dermatology is a site devoted to patient education on acne.
    • MelanomaNet from the American Academy of Dermatology is a site devoted to patient education on melanoma.
    • PsoriasisNet from the American Academy of Dermatology is a site devoted to patient education about Psoriasis.
    • National Psoriasis Foundation site provides information and services to psoriasis sufferers, including access to support groups, recent research and statistics and information on therapies.

  • Smoking & Smoking Cessation:
    • New Jersey Quitnet, which is paired with NJ Quitline (866-NJ-STOPS), is a great resource to help you quit smoking. General information is available to all, but registered members get access to additional resources, including dedicated counselors and peer groups.
    • Stop Tabac.ch is a Swiss site from the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine of the University of Geneva (how's your French?) and is devoted to smoking cessation. They have various resources available, including online consultations with smoking cessation experts. There is also a robust links page.
    • Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has an award-winning website devoted to disseminating information about the hazards of smoking and second-hand smoke. ASH is a charitable organization devoted to eliminating smoking and clearing the air of harmful tobacco smoke for non-smokers. They are a major force in the political arena, and in pressuring OSHA to ban smoking from the workplace. It was ASH that got smoking removed from airlines that carry passengers to, from and within the United States. This is one group worth joining (ok, so a little editorializing crept in there).
    • National Coalition for Women Against Tobacco, sponsored by the American Medical Women's Association, has a variety of information, including many educational materials, such as slides, overheads and audio tapes.

  • Urology & Prostate Disease:
    • The Urology Channel offers information and guidance. Read up on the latest news and research developments, or access focused facts on any one of 19 diesease states. In addition, the Urology Channel provides a forum for you to addres your concerns or questions directly to a specialist.
    • The National Cancer Institute's Prostate Cancer Page has a good page of information about the disease, it's staging and treatment options. In addition, there is an 800 number you can call for more information and to request their several publications on prostate cancer for consumers.
    • The University of Pennsylvania's Oncolink page for Prostate Cancer. This site provides information on screening and diagnosis, risk factors and genetics, treatment options, support groups, and more.
    • Nutrition and Prostate Cancer: The Complete Report was prepared by leading nutritional researchers studying how diet affects the onset and progression of prostate cancer. It is also available in printed form.

  • Women's Health & Post-Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy:
    • The National Women's Health Information Center Site contains links to many health topics. For HRT information, click 'Search by Health Topic,' then 'H' and scroll down the list to 'Hormone Replacement Therapy/HRT'. This site provides links to research reports on the benefits and risks of HRT.
    • Medscape: Women's Health After completing a brief, free registration, visitors to this site may access an enourmous collection of women's health resources, including news, treatment updates, conference schedules and practice guidelines.
    • Healthy Women was created by the National Women's Health Resource Center and features news and articles in the field of women's health. Visitors may conduct a keyword search, participate in ongoing discussions, and customize the site to suit their particular preferences.
    • Women's Health Interactive Gynecologic Health Center provides information on a variety of gynecologic and women's health issues through an interactive format, which results in a personalized action plan. Very easy to use.
    • Women's Health Project is an initiative from the National Health Sciences Consortium, including nine scientific institutions from across the country and led by the Maryland Science Center. An interactive online exhibit, "The Changing Face of Women's Health," features colorful, creatively designed modules on risk, disease prevention, disease control, and disease detection. A supplemental guide offers educational materials and activities dedicated to increasing knowledge about women's health.
    • See also the Osteoporosis section.