Chronic Disease Information

Click the topics below for additional information from some of the most respected sources available. If you would like to see other topics, or have a link you believe helpful, please contact us today.

 
top

Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s Association BACK
http://www.alz.org
This site provides information on taking care of your brain and physical self. It also has news updates, safety services, coping strategies, a support line, and even a message board.

Alzheimer ’s Disease Education and Referral Center
http://www.alzheimers.org
This site provides general information, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of alzheimer’s disease. It also contains many resources for caregivers on dressing, exercise, eating, etc., and research/literature on clinical trials for up to date information.

American Health Assistance Foundation
www.ahaf.org/alzdis/about/adabout.htm
This site offers medical illustrations, risk factors of alzheimer's, and helpful news articles.

Arthritis
Arthritis Foundation BACK
http://www.arthritis.org
This site offers some great exercises, tips, and ways to be good to your joints. It also offers information on surgery, arthritis events and programs, a joint health assessment, and a diet/nutrition center.

The Arthritis Society
http://www.arthritis.ca/
This site provides tips for living well such as managing daily activities, communication, complementary therapies, and medications. It also contains a self-management program, news, and information on the types of arthritis.

Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/arthritis
This site has information such as who has arthritis and what can be done.

U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/arthritis.html
On this web site is some great information! It not only helps you to determine if you have arthritis, but gives great information specific to different conditions, nutrition, research, management, ten ways to protect your joints, and much more.

-Rheumatoid
Arthritis Foundation

http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/ra.asp
This site offers specific information on rheumatoid arthritis.

U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rheumatoidarthritis.html
On this web site is some great information on arthritis! This web site has articles and information about exercise, diagnosis, treatment, research, and the latest news.

-Fibromyalgia
National Fibromyalgia Association

http://fmaware.org/patients.htm
This site has some great information on exercising with fibromyalgia. It also has coping information, research, nutrition/diet, and information on becoming aware.

-Osteoarthritis
Arthritis Foundation
http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/ra.asp
This site offers specific information on osteoarthritis.

U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rheumatoidarthritis.html
On this web site is some great information on arthritis! This web site has articles and information about exercise, diagnosis, treatment, research, and the latest news.

Asthma and Allergies
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
BACK
http://www.aafa.org
This site has information about allergies and asthma along with personal stories, support groups, and a Frequently Asked Questions link. Research, education, and library resources are also available.

American Lung Association
http://lungusa.org/asthma/asthomecon.html
This site is helpful for information on controlling triggers and learning about the lungs, air quality, smoking and tobacco control, and programs/events.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
http://www.aaaai.org
This site contains a special section of articles for seniors with asthmas and allergies along with a medication guide.

Cancer
American Cancer Society BACK
http://www.cancer.org
This site contains news and stories, medical updates, treatment decisions and options, activities in the community, guide to cancer drugs, and a survivors’ network. Check it out!

National Cancer Institute
http://www.nci.nih.gov/
This site is helpful in learning about cancer types, prevention, treatment, screenings, and support. It also offers statistics on cancer, information on how to cope, and literature.

Cancer Care
http://www.cancercare.org
This site provides information on managing cancer, caring for yourself, and talking with others. It also provides description of treatments and their side effects, and information on the specific types of cancer.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)
American Lung Association BACK
http://www.lungusa.org/diseases/
This site offers information about COPD and treatment options.

The Lung Association
http://www.lung.ca/copd/
This site offers a great program called Breathworks to help you learn what you need to know and what you need to do. It also offers information on the anatomy of the disease, diagnosis, management (including tips on exercise), and a guide to prescriptions.

Depression
National Institute of Mental Health BACK
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depressionmenu.cfm
This site has many great articles on depression along with evaluation, treatment, and information on how to help yourself.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
http://www.dbsalliance.org/
Here you can find a Working Toward Wellness publication online that will help you set and reach wellness goals in several areas. It also offers support group and depression information.

Diabetes
American Diabetes Association BACK
http://www.diabetes.org/
Recipes, nutrition, and exercise are all helpful links from this web site including a information all about diabetes.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/
Look here for treatments and complications information.

Epilepsy
Epilepsy Foundation BACK
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/
At this site you can find information for newly diagnosed such as tips for living, staying healthy, coping, recognizing triggers, everyday issues, etc.

National Society of Epilepsy
http://www.epilepsynse.org.uk/
This site provides information on treatment, living with epilepsy, and epileptic seizures.

Heart Disease
American Heart Association BACK
http://www.americanheart.org
The American Heart Association offers this web site full of useful information. This includes news, personal stories, low salt recipes, information on diet and exercise, and how to choose a healthy lifestyle.

American Health Assistance Foundation
http://www.ahaf.org/hrtstrok/about/hsabout.htm
This site provides news, illustrations, and fact sheets.

-High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/highbloodpressure.html
Here you can find information on lowering blood pressure, disease management, nutrition, and prevention.

-High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)
National Cholesterol Education Program
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd/
This site provides information for both those that want to prevent heart disease or already have it. This site includes a Therapeutic Lifestyles change section that will help you to improve your diet and fitness.

-Congestive Heart Failure
Texas Heart Institute

http://www.tmc.edu/thi/chf.html
This web site provides risks and causes of congestive heart failure with the anatomy of the condition. It also provides heart health topics such as surgery, medications, heart smart, exercise, nutrition, etc.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/hrtfail.htm
This site provides a glossary of heart terms, outlook for heart failure, symptoms and diagnosis, questions to ask the pharmacist, and making most of a Doctor’s visit.

Liver Disease
U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health BACK
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/liverdiseases.html
This site is full of research information, clinical trials, nutrition, prevention, screening, and treatment.

American Liver Foundation
http://www.liverfoundation.org/
This site provides helpful articles on liver health.

Migraines
The National Migraine Association BACK
http://www.migraines.org/
This site contains an informative myth or reality section. It also provides articles on treatment and management of migraines.

Multiple Sclerosis
National Multiple Sclerosis Society BACK
http://www.nationalmssociety.org
Information for the newly diagnosed and those who have been living with Multiple sclerosis is offered at this site. It also provides a manual on exercises for people with Multiple sclerosis and a guide to healthy eating.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
http://www.msfacts.org/
At this site you will find information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, exercise, diet, and the health and well-being of those with Multiple sclerosis.

Muscular Dystrophy
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke BACK
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/md.htm
This site offers a list of organizations and web addresses, research literature links, and treatment and prognosis information.

Obesity
American Obesity Association
BACK
http://www.obesity.org/
At this site you can find a shopping guide, a daily activity and food diary, recipes, a menu planner, and a guide to physical activity prevention. It also provides information on treatment and research of obesity and how to maintain your weight loss.

Center for Disease Control
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/
This site defines obesity and overweight and offers information on Body Mass Index, trends, factors, consequences, and recommendations. It contains a great link to making physical activity a part of your life including recommendations and getting started.

National Institutes of Health and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/
This site provides information on choosing a weight loss program, a guide to eating out, portion distortion information, and much more helpful information.

Osteoporosis
National Osteoporosis Foundation
BACK
http://www.nof.org/
Disease facts and a bone health assessment are offered at this site. There is also some great information on prevention, vitamins, exercise, and risk factors.

International Osteoporosis Foundation
http://www.osteofound.org/
At this site you can take a one-minute risk test, learn about treatment, prevention, and diagnosis, and read patient stories.

Parkinson’s
National Parkinson’s Foundation
BACK
http://www.parkinsonscare.com
This is a web site for caregivers and has information on medicine, exercise, and diet. It also has some overall exercise guidelines.

Renal Failure
National Kidney Foundation
BACK
www.kidney.org
At this site you can find information about kidney disease and fact sheets with exercise and nutrition information.

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/
This web site provides a list of many helpful topics from A-Z. You can find mostly anything you want to know from this list.

Menopause
http://www.suntimes.com/output/berman/cst-ftr-berman19.html

http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/02/13/hln.fit.menopause/

http://www.acsm.org/publications/newsreleases2002/menopause100202.htm

http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1996/07_96/shangold.htm
Visit the above links on Menopause for up to date, helpful information for those over 50.


Stroke
American Stroke Foundation BACK
http://www.americanstroke.org/
This site provides information on the recovery after a stroke, prevention, risk factors, and warning signs.

National Stroke Association
http://www.stroke.org/
Here you will find symptoms, treatments, prevention, recovery, and rehabilitation information. This site also provides information for caregivers on modifying the home, dressing and grooming, diet, nutrition, and eating, etc.

American Stroke Association
http://www.strokeassociation.org/
This site offers a section for life after stroke. There you can find information about changes, complication, driving, etc.

Additional Resources: BACK

Exercise for Seniors
U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseforseniors.html
This site offers great tips and articles on exercise for all different conditions and disease management.

Disease Information
U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
http://medlineplus.gov/
Go to this site for great information on a variety of health topics. This is a great resource with many different useful aspects. Check it out!

Booklet on Staying Healthy at 50+
http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/50plus/
The "Pocket Guide to Staying Healthy at 50+" was released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as a resource for healthcare providers and
their patients. The guide includes tips and recommendations on good health
habits, screening tests, and immunizations. It also includes questions to
ask healthcare providers and charts to track personal health information.

May Older Americans Month Materials http://www.aoa.gov/press/oam/May_2004/Materials_Downloads.asp
A guidebook, poster, feature stories, fact sheets, PSAs, logos, and other
materials are available for download at this site.

AOA You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging Campaign
www.aoa.gov/youcan
This month, the Administration on Aging launched its national outreach campaign geared to promoting better nutrition and physical activity for seniors. The campaign includes three national partners, a web site, and the funding of 10 mini-grants to implement a nutrition and physical
activity program for older adults at the local level.