Best Health Information Websites

I think we can all agree that the best person to ask about our health concerns is our doctor, but sometimes we just want some quick information. Besides, you don't want to call your doctor about every little ache and pain if doing so will mean you have to pay for a visit! Most of us just don't have that kind of money or time. The internet has a lot of information out there, but many sites are written in medical language you would need an advanced degree to decipher! Where can average Janes like us find answers for basic health questions that are written in language we can understand? Here are a few websites I've found that may be helpful to you.

About.com- This website has information about pretty much anything under the sun, from comic books to mental illness to how to train a dog. The different sections are written by experts in their respective fields, and many topics also come with user-generated forums to discuss things with laypeople like yourself. It has a very user-friendly directory system to help you find whatever you are looking for. Since About.com is so wide-ranging, however, it's not as useful as other sites if you are doing a more general search. It works best when you have a particular subject or category you are looking for information about rather than just 'what could this be'.

WebMD- This website is more medical-specific, but still has information on a variety of conditions that the average person can understand. One thing I really like is the interactive 'symptom checker', where the website will suggest relevant articles based on the specific symptoms you enter. This is very helpful if you are not exactly sure where to start looking for the answers you want. There are also many forums, as well as links to other websites and general information. Many of the articles are written by experts who also preside over forums and give advice as needed.

Familydoctor.org – One thing this site features that I haven't seen on other sites is a 'Smart Patient Guide'. Basically, it talks about how the different government rules affect health care, as well as how to understand your insurance and how to select a nursing facility. Other sites mention these things, but they are not always in one convenient section. Familydoctor.org also talks about end-of-life issues, something no one enjoys talking about, but that we will all have to deal with. It also has a useful section on over-the-counter medications that explains what is in each drug without using a lot of medical jargon.

I hope you now have an idea as to where to start looking for information on taking care of your health. One thing I will mention, though, is that these websites are not a replacement for a doctor. If you have more specific or immediate concerns, you should always contact a medical professional. However, these are good places to go for basic questions or information.