Health Links
The information on this page is not meant to replace health care or other services, but is provided as information only. All of these links will take you to outside websites that have their own privacy guidelines. Pacific Medical Centers claims no responsibility for any of the information contained on this, or any of the linked, websites. Linking to these websites does not constitute any endorsement of any of the sponsors, or institutions, that provide the information. Please see your health care provider to decide on the relevance of any information that you review on the internet.
Dermatology
- Fact Sheets: www.aad.org/media/stats-numbers/a>
For common skin problems from the American Academy of Dermatology - Eczema Primer: www.eczemacenter.org
Learn all you need to know to help stop the itch - Hyperhidrosis: www.sweathelp.org
A supportive website with helpful information about excessive perspiration - Psoriasis: www.psoriasis.org
Link to the National Psoriasis Foundation - Skin Cancer: www.skincancer.org
Learn about the various types of skin cancer and also how to prevent them
Diabetes
- American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org
Home page for an excellent resource - Blood glucose log forecast.diabetes.org
Log book for your blood sugars - Diabetic recipes and fitness www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness
Learn how to help control your diabetes through diet - Pre-Diabetes www.diabetes.org/diabetes-risk/prediabetes
Learn more about helping to prevent your blood sugars from getting worse
Diet and Nutrition
- Chowbaby.com www.chowbaby.com/fastfood
Has the calorie information for most fast-food restaurants - Controlling your weight www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt
Numerous tips, calculators and menus to help you - Healthy tips for eating out www.americanheart.org
Choose the type of restaurant and learn what to order - The Nutrition Source www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource
Healthy eating guide from the Harvard School of Public Health
Ear, Nose and Throat
- Nasal Sprays www.familydoctor.org
How to use nasal sprays correctly - Saline rinse recipe www.aaaai.org
For flushing your sinuses to help treat an infection
Gastroenterology
- Colonoscopy http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/colonoscopy
What it is and how to prepare - Gastroenteritis- the “stomach flu” www.mayoclinic.com
Tips on keeping hydrated, foods to avoid, etc…
Gynecology
- American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology www.acog.org
Patient handouts on a number of topics - Birth Control/Contraception www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
Links that provide education about a number of options - HPV vaccine www.cdc.gov/std/Hpv
Learn more about this new vaccine from the CDC - Pap smears www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/Pap-HPV-testing
More information on what it is and what the results mean
Heart Health
- American Heart Association www.americanheart.org
Index to a number of heart-related issues - National Heart, Lung and Blood institute www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Hypertension: Guide to lowering high blood pressure - Your Cholesterol
Learn what your numbers mean and how to control them - Top 5 foods to lower your cholesterol www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-cholesterol
- Sudden cardiac arrest www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Learn about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) - Hands only CPR www.handsonlycpr.org
Two steps to save a life In case of sudden cardiac arrest; from the American Heart Association - How to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) www.youtube.com
Hematology/Oncology
- American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
Excellent resource for information about cancer - American Childhood Cancer Organization acco.org
Helps children battle and overcome cancer - Blood Diseases www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/by-alpha
Anemia, thalassemias and clotting disorders from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute - Mesothelioma Group www.mesotheliomagroup.com/understanding-cancer
Informative guide to understanding cancer - National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov
Excellent resource for many of your questions about cancer
Medications
- Drug Interaction Checker www.drugs.com/drug_interactions
See if your drugs could be interacting with each other
Mental Health/Psychiatry
- Depression www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression
Learn more about depression from the NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health www.nimh.nih.gov
Learn more about common mental health topics - ParentsMedGuide www.parentsmedguide.org
Guide about medication use in treating childhood depression - Recovery.org www.recovery.org/browse/seattle-wa
Guide to area alcohol and drug rehabilitation clinics
Neurology
- Dizziness and Vertigo www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
Index for a number of helpful resources from Medline Plus - Epley maneuvers for benign positional vertigo www.youtube.com
YouTube clip to teach you - Migraine headaches www.mayoclinic.com/
Comprehensive information about migraine headaches from the mayoclinic.com website - Neurologic Disorders www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders
An index of information from the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke with links to support groups and other information
Obesity
- Active at Any Size www.win.niddk.nih.gov
Great information on helping you get physically active - Calculate your BMI www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
Your body-mass-index gives you information about your risks
Ophthalmology/Optometry eyes
- American Academy of Ophthalmology www.geteyesmart.org
Learn more about eye diseases, surgery, and general eye health - American Optometric Association www.aoa.org
Learn more about eye diseases and general eye health - Donate your old glasses www.lionsclubs.org
- Laser eye surgery www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
Links to more information to help you understand the procedures - National Eye Institute www.nei.nih.gov/health
Facts about diseases of the eye
Orthopedics
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons www.orthoinfo.aaos.org
Excellent resource for orthopedic issues - Foothealthfacts.org www.foothealthfacts.org
Information about foot and ankle disorders - Back pain exercise guide www.orthoinfo.aaos.org
Regular exercises to restore the strength of your back - Taking care of your cast www.orthopedics.about.com
A quick guide for taking care of your cast.
Pediatrics
- American Academy of Pediatrics-Healthy Children www.healthychildren.org
Great resource for parents covering most health topics - Parent Map www.parentmap.com
Information for parents about things going-on in the Puget Sound area - Seattle Children’s Hospital www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/child-health-advice-instructions
Links to health topics and the Seattle Children’s website - Vaccines and Immunizations www.cdc.gov/vaccines
Learn more about vaccines from the CDC website
Pregnancy
- Babycenter.com www.babycenter.com/pregnancy
Learn about your baby’s weekly development - Medications and pregnancy www.aafp.org/afp
See what OTC meds you can take while pregnant - Pregnancy calculator www.aafp.org/afp
Check when you could be due
Pulmonary/Sleep
- American Lung Association www.lung.org
Information on lung disease, smoking cessation and lung cancer - Asthma http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html
A Medline page with helpful links to learn more about all aspects of asthma - Cough www.chestnet.org/downloads/patients/guides/cough
Learn what to look for and how to treat it - Inhaler www.familydoctor.org
How to use an inhaler correctly - Living well with COPD www.chestnet.org
A helpful, in-depth guide - Your Sleep from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine www.sleepeducation.com
Learn about common sleep problems and how to help them
Rheumatology
- Arthritis www.arthritis.org
Learn more about arthritis and how to prevent it from the Arthritis Foundation - Gout www.mayoclinic.com/print/gout
Excellent gout resource from the Mayoclinic.com website - Osteoporosis http://www.nof.org
Link to the National Osteoporosis Association for support and information
Screening Recommendations
- Breast cancer screening www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/breast/Patient
Recommendations from the National Cancer Institute - U.S. Preventive Task Force
Evidence-based recommendations for preventive services
Sexual Health
- Erectile dysfunction http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/erectile-dysfunction
Nice overview from the mayoclinic.com website - HIV/AIDS www.kingcounty.gov/healthServices/health/communicable
King County Public Health website with excellent resources - Sexually transmitted diseases www.cdc.gov/STD
Link to the CDC website
Substance Abuse
- Alcohol www.niaaa.nih.gov
Frequently asked questions, information and resources regarding alcoholism - Index of substance abuse information and resources from Medline Plus
- National Institute on Drug Abuse www.drugabuse.gov
Excellent fact sheets about all drugs of abuse
Tobacco
- Quitting www.lung.org/stop-smoking
Information from the American Lung Association - Quitting – Medline www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
Index of additional resources to help you kick the habit - Smokefree.gov www.smokefree.gov
Online guide to help you quit smoking - Smokeless tobacco www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
Index of information on the risks and ways to help you quit
Travel Medicine
- Travelers’ health wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Find out what shots and meds you may need for your trip
Other health websites with excellent medical information for all topics
- Medline Plus www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
Information about diseases, medications and more - Mayoclinic.com www.mayoclinic.com/health/DiseasesIndex/DiseasesIndex
Excellent general information for most diseases - FamilyDoctor.org www.familydoctor.org
An excellent site also available in Spanish - Healthfinder.gov www.healthfinder.gov
They have a nice “quick guide to healthy living” - Washington Health Alliance www.wacommunitycheckup.org
Dedicated to quality and affordable health care, has a comprehensive resources page