Illnesses & Diseases

If you are looking at this web site, you are probably already aware of how easy it is to get information about illnesses and diseases off the world wide web.  We have put together this page to help you get access to some of the best information possible.

Caution

Please use the internet for health information with extreme caution. Many web sites are international and mention some services and treatments that are just not available in the UK.  Also beware that much health information is sponsored by the people who market treatments.  So look out for web sites that have adverts for products, and where possible check who has sponsored the site. If it is a drug company we'd recommend you double check advice at another site.  Finally if you simply put the name of a medical condition into a search engine you are likely to get thousands of results.  Often people describe illnesses at their worst, and forget to mention that there is a less serious form of any condition.  It is much better to start at a reputable site and use them to direct you to information. 

Two common mistakes Web sites can make

They may paint a picture of an illnesses at its worst

They may exaggerate the benefits of a treatment

Best sites (as recommended by Lockside)

Here are the best sites we have come across.

www.patient.co.uk

This is full of printable information leaflets, ordered alphabetically, on most medical conditions and self help groups.  We have the same leaflets loaded up on our work computers.  The web site is sponsored by the NHS and the Royal College of GPs.  Every bit of information has been reviewed by independent doctors.

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

This is probably the best site for help with diagnosing and managing illnesses yourself.  There is an excellent feature where you can start with a symptom, say vomiting, and the web site asks you questions in order to lead you to a 'best treatment', at home.  There is a great medical encyclopedia and a facility where you can email questions in to a doctor to get personal advice.  There is even a guide to local medical services in our area.  It is looked after and managed by the NHS, and is the basis for NHS Direct the free 24 Hour Medical help line Tel: 08 45 46 47

www.bbc.co.uk/health

This is a very easy to use colourful web site, which offers good safe advice.  It takes no risks and offers a balanced view of many common medical conditions.

www.tamesideandglossop.nhs.uk

This is the web site of our Primary Care Trust (the people who pay GPs and arrange health services locally).  There is a comprehensive list of links to hospitals, large care organisations and health services.  There is no information on illnesses.

www.netdoctor.co.uk

This is an independent, private web site, that is very easy to use.  It has lots of facilities like a health encyclopedia, useful descriptions of common conditions, a list of drugs and medication, links to health centres and self help groups.  However, it is sponsored by advertising so beware if any make claims to be wonder treatments. 

www.nelh.nhs.uk/treatmentnotes.co.uk

This is a part of the National Electronic Library for Health. This is an enormous website, designed for the use of doctors and nurses in the NHS. There is access to almost every reputable source of good medical research, though most is presented in a way for professional use. The Treatment Notes section is a range of patient information leaflets.