You're Not The Boss Of Me

When it comes to your health, the only person in charge should be you. This is especially true if you are attempting to manage a chronic condition like diabetes, high blood pressure or anything else that requires continuous monitoring or medication. How about when you are faced with a healthcare crisis? At that time, you will need, more than ever, to be the boss when it comes to making informed decisions about your own health or the health of a loved one. So where do you turn? The internet is the most convenient way to find information, but be very careful which websites you access. I work in a hospital and there are very few that are endorsed as the most current, up-to-date and reliable. The one that is used most is Medline Plus . This wonderful website was created for consumers by the U.S. National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. It is free to use and there you will find health topics of every kind, interactive tutorials, drug information, a medical encyclopedia, a directory of doctors, dentists and hospitals, a dictionary and the latest on research. You can also access Clinical Trials which is a great data base. If you or your loved one must be hospitalized, be sure to ask if there is a Family Resource Center there. Most hospitals have one and here you will find books, pamphlets and computers to help you find what you need. Most FRCs are fully staffed with trained personnel to direct you to the most up-to-date and pertinent information you need.