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Issue: July 2006
Discreet Answers to Your Most Embarrassing Questions
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Discreet Answers to Your Most Embarrassing Questions

by Eileen Buckholtz

Published in health •health_online | 0 Comments, Talk about this article »

You're in the doctor's office, staring at your feet and mumbling to the white-coated guy across the desk, "Uh, Doc, I...well, I have this problem, and...er..." By the time you get it out, your 15 minutes are up--that is, if you ever get it out.

"It" can be any of those embarrassing little problems we can't talk about to anyone. That's where the Internet plays a vital role: Only you and your computer mouse know what topics you're researching from the privacy of your home.

For any medical concern, though, embarrassing or otherwise, you need to go to a reliable site for the best information. Here's how to find one, as well as some recommendations for sites where you can learn about a few of "those" problems.

    "How do I zap these zits?"

  • www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorial.html. Medline's X-plain tutorials take you through an explanation of acne and how to treat it.
  • www.aad.org. You can trust the information on this site--it comes from the American Academy of Dermatology, which has an easy topic search for acne (just go to "A").

    "I brush my teeth three times a day. Why does my breath still knock people out?"

  • www.ada.org. The American Dental Association's site lists the causes of bad breath, recommended treatments, and advice on how to find a dentist who treats halitosis. For fun, check out the ADA's Mouthpower game at http://www.mouthpower.org.
  • http://familydoctor.org/169.xml. Hosted by the American Academy of Family Physicians, this site provides an easy-to-understand explanation of what causes bad breath and what you can do to get rid of it. Also available in Spanish.

    "Whew! I stink! What can I do?"

  • www.healthopedia.com/body-odor. This site has a whole section on body odor, including causes, risk factors, prevention measures, and treatments. Overall, it provides patient-friendly, unbiased information on more than 1,500 health topics.
  • www.mayoclinic.com. Search "body odor" to find the article on sweating and body odor, including causes, signs and symptoms, complications, and treatment advice.

    "Why do I wet my pants sometimes when I laugh really hard?"

  • www.urologychannel.com/incontinence/index.shtml. Here you'll find information on the various types of incontinence and the diseases or conditions that can cause it. Check out the new treatment options.
  • www.depend.com. Although it's a company website, the bladder assessment tool, frequently asked questions, and explanations of both male and female urinary incontinence are excellent. You can also discreetly buy Depends products online, and there's a section for caregivers.
  • www.womenshealth.gov. Hosted by the National Women's Health Information Center, this site has among its wealth of information dozens of articles on urinary incontinence and "overactive bladder."

    "I'm all stopped up. What can I do to get going again?"

  • www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/constipation.html. Check out the easy-to-read tutorial on constipation, which includes an explanation of being "regular" and information on medical and natural treatments, such as eating more fiber. Also offered in Spanish.
  • www.gastro.org. This is the official site of the American Gastroenterological Association and has extensive advice about the causes of and treatments for constipation. Search "constipation" to bring up a number of articles, including those on diagnostic tests and treatment options.
  • www.merck.com/mmhe/index.html. Here's where to find the online version of the Merck Manual of Medical Information, Home Edition, a great source of information on many medical problems.

    "Is this itch serious?"

  • www.embarrassingproblems.com/jockitch.htm. This site reveals that the itch in the folds of your groin is caused by the same fungus as athlete's foot and offers commonsense tips for avoiding and curing the problem.
  • http://familydoctor.org/545.xml. In this section of the Family Doctor site, sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians, you'll find a neat chart to help you distinguish a rash from a boil, an infected hair follicle, or even a nasty insect bite. It includes symptoms, diagnostic information, and self-care suggestions as well as advice on when to go to the doctor.

    "I've never touched a frog, so how did I get warts?"

  • www.aocd.org/skin. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology has a large database of dermatologic diseases. You can search "wart" or select it from the contents page. There's information on the various types of warts as well as treatment options, from liquid nitrogen cryotherapy to (no kidding) duct tape.

    Tips for Researching Medical Information

    Check that any websites offering medical advice are associated with hospitals, educational centers, or medical publications, or you may end up using unproven home remedies.
  1. Be wary of advice from the online grapevine or chat rooms.
  2. Before acting on online advice, check with your physician.
  3. Keep a log of what works for you and what doesn't. Chances are, you may have to deal with this type of problem again.
  4. Check out drug side effects or potential allergic reactions in the PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) or the package insert that comes with many drugs. One free version of the PDR can be found at www.pdrhealth.com.

Eileen Buckholtz is an Internet consultant, a professor of e-business for the University of Phoenix Online, and author of more than a dozen computer books. She enjoys demystifying the Web for her readers.

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