I'm the kind of person who likes to know things. I want details, facts -- the whole picture. I especially want to know everything I can about my health.

Unfortunately, I don't always find out all I'd like to know from my doctor. He may not have time to talk to me at length, or he may not explain things in language I understand. Or I may not think of questions until I've left his office.

I could make dozens of phone calls or spend hours in the library, trying to find answers to my questions. Or I could search the world wide web. The web has thousands of sites with all kinds of health information.

Links to Other Sites:

A good place to start a search for medical information is at one of the many sites that provide lists of health-related web links. My favorite is Infomedical. Infomedical offers links to dozens of sites, including medical dictionaries, web pages for particular conditions or diseases, such as the Down Syndrome WWW page and Rhonda's Migraine Page. From Infomedical, you can access all kinds of medical information.

The American Medical Association also maintains a helpful site with links to many other sites.

General Medical Information:

Suppose you just want some general medical information. Maybe you'd like some tips on managing stress, or you're not sure if your child's symptoms are serious enough to call the doctor. Kaiser Permanente sponsors two helpful sites. The Kaiser Permanente Medical Advice Page lists symptoms such as 'back pain' or 'fever.' Click on a symptom and you'll see a list of questions. Answer the questions yes or no and you'll be given advice about whether to see your doctor or treat yourself at home.

Kaiser Permanente's Health Information page offers information on topics such as breast self examination, allergies and stress management.

Information on Specific Illnesses:

If you or someone you know is suffering from a particular illness such as diabetes, asthma or cancer and you want to learn more, you can consult web pages devoted to a particular illness. MedicineNet can point you toward specific disease links. Met Life has a site devoted to coping with major illnesses. OncoLink has a huge database of information on all kinds of cancers.

Information on Medicines:

Suppose you're curious about a prescription you're taking. At Healthtouch's Drug Information site you can search for a drug by name and learn about side effects, proper use, and other information.

The web can't replace the advice of a doctor, but web sites can provide additional information about medical conditions and treatments. A search of the web before you visit your doctor could help you compile a list of questions to ask. Whatever your medical problem or question, the web can help you find the information you need.