We care for your health and want you to find the best medical info for your needs online.

Therefore, we have reviewed the different methods to ask health questions for free, find medical answers, and find support for medical conditions on the internet.

As the internet has grown, so has the need to connect with others and discuss experiences. This provides an opportunity to talk in a public forum about conditions, symptoms, or even a diagnosis in real time across the world. Patients who have a rare disease may be able to connect with others with the same diagnosis, those with medical problems that they might find embarrassing have a means to communicate anonymously, and information that might not be appropriate in medical texts (like one patient's experience with a certain drug) are freely available. Even those who have mobility issues can research their ailment in the comfort of their own home.

The internet is not always the most accurate resource for medical information

When looking for an outlet to ask your health question, consider the following:

· Always start with your doctor. If you have a severe, urgent, or really concerning issue it's critical you make an appointment with your physician first.

· The information given by others on the internet isn't always accurate. You may have information presented to you as fact without any evidence to back it up.

· Be careful not to reveal personally identifying information about yourself or your physician. Avoid using addresses and phone numbers.

Where to ask health questions

There are many websites that offer users the ability to ask health questions for free. Some general rules to help you find the best advice include:

· Avoid sites that request payment in return for information.

· Avoid any website that wants more personal information than you're comfortable giving.

· Be skeptical of websites that promise answers to all of your questions from "real doctors". Although qualified physicians might answer some of the health questions on the internet, it's unlikely that all of the websites that promise this are legit. Take some time to research the source.

· Look for services that allow for interaction between members. Our forum is a great way o find support and create community.

· Participate! Take a few moments to answer questions instead of just asking.

Finding medical answers online

Consider some alternatives to the norm when you're looking for medical answers online. Many of the top sites contain very general information about a particular condition, and the content may be similar or even identical. Consider some alternative sources for finding answers:

· Search for symptoms and experiences using quoted text to get more specific information.

There are countless resources on the internet, but not all are created equal. Remember that it's critically important that you speak with your doctor first, and not everything you read is true. Also, please consider participating in websites to share your experiences and information - the more information we have available to us, the more we advance our understanding.