Researching a Medical Condition
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with a medical condition, or is concerned about having one, it’s natural to want to know about the causes, symptoms, treatment methods, and possible outcomes. Though trusted health professionals may advise you best, the library offers reference sources, circulating books, magazines and newsletters, and access to appropriate databases and websites to guide you. Some of the materials mentioned here may be accessed at home through the library's website. The library’s professional staff will be happy to assist you. Come to the library, call Reference Services at (330) 458-2754, or email the staff at Ask a Reference Librarian.
Stark County District Library affirms that there is no substitute for a personal physician.
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Researching a Medical Condition - Reference Sources
Looking for medical information can be difficult. Below are some books that can help you in your search. These reference books may not be checked out, but photocopies may be made. These sources aid in understanding what to expect during the course of treatment and possible outcomes. The Reference Services staff can locate them for you.
Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, which covers over 1,000 diseases and disorders, is a starting point for patients and families. Besides a section on each body system, the text deals with alternative and herbal medicines.Directory of Physicians in the United States can help in selecting a physician with experience in the condition for which treatment is needed. It has an alphabetical name index and a geographic register of doctors.
Fast Help for Major Medical Conditions contains a glossary of medical terms and subject cross reference. It also defines and describes each malady. The risk factors, causes, and symptoms are explored for each medical condition. Tests are explained, along with alternative treatment. At the end of each essay is a list of pertinent organizations and support groups.
Health Reference Series is a multi-volume set, with a content guide organized by subject. One volume is devoted to medical tests. Another is on alternative medicine. In some of the volumes, there are lists of additional resources on the subject being discussed. A few of the topics in the series are environmentally induced disorders, sports injuries, immune disorders, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference covers a majority of medical tests, guiding users from its alphabetical index to basic articles giving the type of test (blood, urine), normal findings, abnormal findings, possible factors interfering with the results, an explanation of the test, procedures done, and care of the patient.
Professional Guide to Diseases features articles that explain the causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of genetic disorders, infectious illnesses, and sexual infirmities, as well as neoplasms and the common problems of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. Each article has a section on special considerations.
Professional Guide to Signs and Symptoms contains articles and drawings about medical conditions. Each article has a definition, how to take a history, and how to perform an examination. Every article gives medical causes and other possible causes, special considerations, and emergency interventions.
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary defines terms that the physician or medical staff may use in reports or when talking with the patient and family. The book has short articles on diseases and conditions, which describe the malady and its treatment.
Researching a Medical Condition - Circulating Books
Books that can be checked out of the library are often best for coping with the physical and emotional aspects of an illness. As the patient, knowledge may help in taking part in your care, in addition to dispelling fear of the unknown. Friends and family members will be anxious about tests and procedures, and may wonder how to talk about the illness with the patient. Simply written, authoritative books can help.
Circulating books may be reserved through the library's online catalog. All call numbers in this tutorial are for sources at the Main Library. Most circulating books may be checked out for two weeks. Below are examples of books about various disorders and diseases.
Action Plan for High Blood Pressure is part of the Action Plan for Health series. The book delves into managing hypertension with diet and exercise; medications are discussed, but the focus is on aerobic activity and flexibility in conjunction with eating the right foods.
All About Fibromyalgia addresses patients and families, to help them understand the pain and fatigue that plague a seemingly healthy individual. The book offers a seven-step plan to improve quality of life.
Alzheimer's Disease FAQ is directed to caregivers, exploring the journey from discovery to acceptance. Using the question-and-answer style, the author exposes the disbelief, anger, and frustration that accompany the disease.
American College of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide discusses the assessment of symptoms and visits to the doctor, progressing to tests. Sections of the text are devoted to the problems of the main body systems, giving the drug treatment, surgery, care, and therapies available for each condition.
American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes begins with the types and causes of diabetes. Keeping the condition under control through monitoring and management are thoroughly explored in succeeding chapters. Prevention of the complications of diabetes, in addition to balancing the illness with work and family life, rounds out this text.
The Cardiac Recovery Handbook discusses having a better life after a heart attack or heart surgery, including changes in diet and exercise, and reducing stress that might lead to additional cardiac problems.
The Family Guide to Surviving Stroke and Communication Disorders is meant for anyone struggling with communication and/or physical disabilities caused by a stroke. It is a guide that explores the connection between physical image and emotional peace.
Mayo Clinic on Osteoporosis reveals that osteoporosis can be managed through early diagnosis. This source tells which screening tests can identify the disease before fractures occur, and which exercises combined with regular drug therapy may limit the progression of the disease. There is a useful chapter on home safety precautions.
Power to the Patient is an advocate for the person who is ill and doesn't have extensive knowledge of the proper course of treatment for his or her condition. The author tells of the best strategies for Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and other disorders.
Researching a Medical Condition - Periodicals
When seeking recent scholarly or layman's information, a magazine, journal or newsletter can be just as helpful as a book. You may find the best or most recent studies, treatments or drugs this way. At times, you may find it more convenient to consult the online version of the publication. Online publications can be accessed through their websites, though most require subscription to the site.
The periodicals listed here are representative of the library's health-related sources. They must be used in the Main Library's Periodicals Division, but photocopies may be made. Websites for the online versions of these publications are given with the understanding that Internet addresses change frequently.
Dr. Andrew Weil's Self Healing
A monthly publication, Self Healing has articles about nutrition and health concerns, plus a column of questions and answers called Ask Dr. Weil.
Website: http://www.drweilselfhealing.com
F.D.A. Consumer
As the official magazine of the Food and Drug Administration, F.D.A. Consumer produces an authoritative collection of articles related to nutrition and medicine. New artificial heart devices and how orthodontics has improved through the years are two examples of the topics that are covered in this monthly publication.
Website: http://www.fda.gov/fdac
Harvard Health Letter
A plentiful range of health issues are covered in this newsletter from Harvard Medical School. Herbal remedies and pharmaceuticals that may be helpful are examined. Monthly.
Website: http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Health_Letter.htm
Johns Hopkins Medical Letter Health after 50
This newsletter is directed to health conscious people over age 50 and is based on trustworthy medical research. Monthly.
Website: http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/health_after_50/index.html
Mamm: Women, Cancer and Community
Mamm is a full-size magazine devoted to breast cancer, with some attention given to ovarian cancer. The articles range from hair loss to discrimination at work. There are links to websites, phone numbers, addresses, and books for further help. Seasonal.
Website: http://www.mamm.com/main.php?optjs=1
Mayo Clinic Health Letter
Mayo Clinic physicians and health experts edit this monthly newsletter, which has a question and answer column called Second Opinion and highlights medical research results and news in another column titled News and Our Views.
Website: http://healthletter.mayoclinic.com
Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource In this newsletter aimed toward women between the ages 35-64, the reader will find articles about research, news, and columns on food and fitness, as well as prevention information.
Prevention This health and fitness magazine is geared toward women. There are articles about nutrition and fitness. Prevention also addresses parenting strategies, homeopathic and traditional remedies.
Website: http://www.prevention.com
Women's Wellness Today Healthy Directions publishes this monthly newsletter edited by Susan Lark, M.D., an authority on clinical nutrition and preventive medicine.
Worst Pills, Best Pills News
This monthly independent drug bulletin published by Public Citizen's Health Research Group is dedicated to promoting international exchange of information on drugs and therapeutics.
Website: http://www.worstpills.org
Researching a Medical Condition - Databases
The library subscribes to databases that may help in researching medical conditions. These databases can be found at http://www.starklibrary.org/databases.htm. Some databases may be searched from your home via the Internet, using the bar code on the back of your library card to log in. Other databases may be accessed only from a computer within the library. In the Periodicals Division of the Main Library there are computer workstations available to access databases on medical and health topics.
See the descriptions and links below for some databases with reliable information.
Academic Search Premier has full-text articles from nearly 4,000 scholarly publications covering many academic areas of study, including social sciences, humanities, education, computer sciences, engineering, language and linguistics, arts and literature, medical sciences, and ethnic studies.
Alt HealthWatch focuses on the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated approaches to health care and wellness. Alt HealthWatch offers full-text articles from more than 140 international peer-reviewed and professional journals, magazines, reports, proceedings, association and consumer newsletters, plus hundreds of pamphlets, booklets, special reports, original research, and book excerpts.
Consumer Health Complete is a comprehensive resource for consumer-oriented health content. This database includes information found in Health Source - Consumer Edition, Health Source - Nursing/Academic Edition, Alt HealthWatch, Clinical Pharmacology, MEDLINE, and more.
Health Source - Nursing/Academic Edition provides nearly 600 scholarly full text journals focusing on many medical disciplines. Also featured are abstracts and indexing for over 850 journals.
MEDLINE furnishes authoritative medical information on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, pre-clinical sciences, and more through article abstracts.
Researching a Medical Condition - Websites
When researching a medical condition, rely on websites authored and sponsored by recognized bodies. The Medical Library Association, for instance, posts a list of ten "most useful websites" evaluated by its Consumer and Health Information Section. Before you begin Internet research, you may wish to look over the criteria given for reliable websites in a tutorial on the website of the National Library of Medicine. No website can be a substitute for a personal physician.
American Medical Association DoctorFinder
Do you need assistance in finding a physician? This section of the American Medical Association's website has basic professional information on over 690,000 licensed US physicians, including osteopathic physicians. It lists both members and nonmembers of the American Medical Association. (Members have expanded listings.) http://webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder/home.html
Medline Plus
Sponsored by the Medical Library Association, the Medline Plus website has a group of interactive health tutorials on diseases and conditions, plus tutorials explaining and illustrating tests and diagnostic procedures, surgical and treatment procedures. If you or a loved one is experiencing anxiety about an upcoming test or operation, search or browse to find an explanation in everyday terms. http://medlineplus.gov
National Library of Medicine
The largest biomedical library in the world points users to sources of medical information through its sections for the public, health care professionals, and researchers. The Clinical Trials area covers drug and treatment studies. In the website's section for the public, you can find the Genetics Home Reference, which deals with the effects of genes on health conditions. http://www.nlm.nih.gov
WebMD
Experts in medicine and journalism produce content edited by an Independent Medical Review Board for this website. Match your symptoms to possible causes, get recent health news, or explore the Tests A-Z and Drugs A-Z parts of the site. A panel of experts provide blogs and message boards for medical questions and answers. You can use the site's Find a Doctor feature to search for a doctor by name or by specialty. http://www.webmd.com