If you’ve ever been a patient, a parent, or a caregiver, then no doubt you’ve had questions before or after seeing the doctor. While I’ve been known to google symptoms and self-diagnose, the fact is that there are too many ads and there is no guarantee that the information is reliable or current.
That’s why the link to MedlinePlus, is so valuable. There is no advertising, and MedlinePlus does not endorse any particular company or product.
MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health’s Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.
You can use MedlinePlus to learn about the latest treatments, look up information on a drug or supplement, find out the meanings of words, or view medical videos or illustrations. You can also get links to the latest medical research on your topic or find out about clinical trials on a disease or condition.
Health professionals and consumers alike can depend on it for information that is authoritative and up-to-date. MedlinePlus has extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted sources on over 1000 diseases and conditions.
Other helpful information on MedlinePlus includes:
- health topics by body location, category or alphabetical index
- directories
- medical encyclopedia
- health information in Spanish
- extensive information on prescription, nonprescription drugs, and supplements
- links to thousands of clinical trials
- MedlinePlus is updated daily and can be bookmarked at https://medlineplus.gov/.
The purpose of MedlinePlus is for education.
There is also a children’s page for kids 9-12 that provides a wealth of information from how the body works to what to expect during a hospital visit. The quizzes, games, and age appropriate web sites allow a young person to safely explore.
Whether it’s help with bullying or nutrition, this site has a wealth of information that tweens can use for themselves or for research.
MedlinePlus also has videos and tools. You can view videos on health topics, watch surgical procedures, explore health check tools, and play games.
The teen’s page has vital information including facts on dating violence, drug abuse, nutrition, stress, and a link to the CDC site Prom Health and Safety Tips.
Face it, teens rarely want to ask questions. The teen’s page on MedlinePlus is a safe and age-appropriate site for adolescents to explore. Parents can also learn and discover how to discuss health topics with their teenage children.
The site also has a link to the National Runaway Safeline.
MedlinePlus provides an abundance of vital information that people of any age will find useful.
Healthy Reading, Susan C.
The O'Fallon Public Library News 