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Researching on Google can be cumbersome without knowing what to look for on proper healthcare websites.
Feeling overwhelmed after a medical diagnosis is normal. For patients who want to know more about their condition, debating the accuracy of information found online can cause stress. Becoming an empowered patient by learning some research tips can lead to a better health outcome.
Guide is here to help anyone with a diagnosis figure out how to navigate healthcare. The “Becoming Your Own Health Advocate” series helps to break down the process. The articles in this series will also arm readers with information to help along every step of the way.
A patient, Mary, has been diagnosed with a weakened thyroid. Her symptoms are fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, forgetfulness and hair loss. Her doctor diagnosed her specifically with hypothyroidism.
Mary is now armed with information to better decide which medical modality to utilize to help her heal. As mentioned in the article, Become Your Own Health Advocate: Choosing The Best Medical Approach, Mary can choose a Conventional, Functional or Integrative Medicine doctor. Each of these practices deals with Mary’s condition differently.
The Conventional Medicine doctor will help alleviate symptoms by prescribing medications like Zolpidem for sleep and Levothyroxine for thyroid function. This is done by prescribing drugs based on several data points:
- Lab tests
- Patient survey
- Medical history
With Conventional Medicine, Mary would need to learn about these new medications, their side effects, if they are right for her or if they conflict with other medicines, foods or supplements. Websites she should visit to help discern her treatment plan are:
- OpenMD.com is a search engine that produces high-quality medical information for free. OpenMD searches billions of documents from government agencies, global health organizations, medical journals and reference sites.
- Drug.com is a site to help find the cheapest drug cost and inform patients about drug side effects and contraindications.
Mary could also find out the root cause of her illness by utilizing a Functional and Integrative medicine doctor. Functional and Integrative Medicine doctors will not only diagnose and treat the disease, but they will also complete comprehensive lab tests to find the root cause of the condition. Many lab tests can be covered by insurance. Mary will complete a thorough questionnaire, broken down by category, on the following topics:
- Mental health
- Lifestyle
- Social habits
- Diet and nutrition
- Exercise and physical fitness
There are several websites that can guide Mary to the right Functional and Integrative Medicine doctor in her area. Integrative medicine facilities are becoming increasingly popular on hospital campuses due to the growing demand for alternative and complementary therapies in healthcare.
The Institute for Functional Medicine: This website features information on how to find Functional Medicine doctors in the area. Patients can then select a trained practitioner that understands how to read comprehensive lab work to create a treatment plan that can restore health by finding the causation of disease.
Integrative Medicine at UF Health: This website links patients to Integrative Medicine at UF Health, where they can find a patient-centered approach to healthcare that combines conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies. This approach takes into account the whole person, including their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. The Integrative Medicine program at UF Health offers a variety of services, including acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional counseling and mind-body therapies such as meditation and yoga. The goal of Integrative Medicine is to support the body’s natural healing processes and improve overall health and quality of life.
While researching on Google may seem like a good idea, it can be difficult to know where to look for proper healthcare websites. Deciding on the best medical modality to utilize, patients can take control of their health and make informed decisions about their treatment options. Remember to always consult with a healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding health.
Learn more about researching the internet by reading, Becoming Your Own Health Advocate: Introduction