Define Health

Sexual health is influenced by a great many factors ranging from behavior, attitudes, and conditioning, to biological and genetic factors. It encompasses the problems of HIV, unintended pregnancy and abortion, infertility and sexual dysfunction. Sexual health can also be influenced by mental health, acute and chronic illnesses, and violence.

It also involves the individual, family, community, health system level legal and regulatory environments where the sexual rights of all people are upheld.

Ideas and norms about sexuality and health come from a variety of sources including social custom, science, medicine, religious belief, and personal experiences. As a result, no one definition of sexual health is likely to adequately represent this diversity, especially when professional opinions on sexuality and sexual health are formed by training and social position which in turn, are often influenced by the individual’s culture, socio-economic status, religion, etc.

Because the words “health” and “healthy” are often linked to the field of medicine, they carry a medical connotation and authority. The World Health Organization says…

“Sexual health is…the integration of the physical, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of sexual being, in ways that are positively enriching and that enhance personality, communication and love.”

“…a capacity to enjoy and control sexual and reproductive behavior in accordance with a social and personal ethic.”

“…freedom from fear, shame, guilt, false beliefs and other psychological factors inhibiting sexual response and impairing sexual relationships.”

“…freedom from organic disorders, diseases and deficiencies that interfere with sexual and reproductive function.”

Good sexual health means making sure you have the knowledge, skills and ability to make informed sexual choices and acting responsibly to protect your health and the health of others.

Internet Health

The internet is a wonderful source of information and I sometimes wonder how we lived so many years without it. I’ve noticed a trend lately that when patients come to see me they have already checked out their symptoms online.

How Cyberchondria Can Be Harmful

Cyberchondria can cause you needless stress. There are numerous reasons for a headache and the chances of a brain tumor are very small.

Worrying about a worst case scenario can create a stress response in your body which in turn may result in further health problems. Studies have shown that stress contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease and can lead to depression, insomnia, and weight gain. Cyberchondria reduces productivity especially when people are using their computer at work to diagnose their symptoms.

How to Use the Internet as a Helpful Tool

Please don’t misunderstand; I’m not against people using the internet to learn more about their health. • Find sites that are reputable and those that are doctor-reviewed like WebMD and MedlinePlus.

• Gather information, but don’t jump to conclusions about your symptoms. • After gathering your research, let the information rest for a couple of days. See your doctor if symptoms are painful or if they last for several days.

• Remember to get your annual checkup. If you see your doctor annually, you’ll feel much more confident that the symptoms you’re suffering are anything but life-threatening. On a positive note I would like to add that using the internet to explore treatment options after your symptoms have been diagnosed by your doctor is a helpful tool for clarification. Spending time online to better understand your particular ailment can provide valuable information that you can discuss with your doctor. Have fun surfing but be careful that you don’t become a victim of cyberchondria!

Health Websites

Health websites have a special way in which they should be designed because web surfers anticipate a certain type of website. Web design is very important and while many companies were not aware of this for quite some time it is now catching on that a website selling medical imaging supplies should be designed differently than a website offering medical advice. The same goes for a movie theatre, shopping mall, and other places of interest. We have expectations for the places we visit in person and the same goes for the websites we visit virtually. Websites selling medical surgical supplies should be conservative and informative and make it easy for you to buy products whereas another website that is about gossip can be colorful and fun.

There are quite a few web design tips for health websites. One tip for health websites is for them to be designed in conservative colors like blue, black, dark green, and other similar colors. People visit health websites for a reason and they want the website to feel like a serious place. Organization is also important when it comes to designing a health website because people will most likely be visiting for informational purposes. As a result you want to have the information placed in a very organized layout so that visitors can find what they are looking for with minimal effort.

When you can use other websites as references you should because it will allow you to create an even better website with a design that will be outstanding and keep the traffic coming in to your site.

Google Health

There are a number of online tools available to help you keep track of your health records. Google offers a great one in its arsenal of online applications. It is called Google Health and offers a number of applications for users interested in keeping online records of their health.

A left-hand talk bar is the place to begin entering your information and customizing this tool to your needs. There are a number of items to input, such as: gender, ethnicity, blood type, age, etc. An extensive list of medical conditions and symptoms follows this. You can search through an alphabetical list or begin typing a condition and Google Health will make suggestions as you go. The same goes for medications, allergies, medical procedures, test results, and immunizations.

Various health organizations can be linked to the profile created here. These include, hospitals, pharmacies, and medical associations. By linking, medical records can be imported. For example, you can link with your local pharmacy to get all prescription information imported to the Google Health profile.

There is also an application to help find health services on the Internet. The Cleveland Clinic offers a “My Consult” service that can be linked to the profile. This service comes at a premium. However there are options for more budget-conscious users as well. Destination Rx offers options on “lower-cost alternative medication options” according to Google Health.

Searches for medical professionals can be done from this site as well. This works similar to the ubiquitous Google search engine. Of course, safety and security of your personal information is tantamount. Google treats user information here the same as with any other of the services it provides which collect information. It takes care to ensure the safety and integrity of personal information.

Having medical information online has a number of benefits. Medical tourists may find this very useful as well. International health care providers cannot freely access the medical records of Americans thanks to legislation such as HIPAA. A medical tourist can use Google Health to get access to all of their medical records while abroad.

Google has successfully integrated yet another tool to its Internet spanning array of applications. Google Health is highly intuitive and helpful to anyone interested in managing health records online. Google utilizes not only its own resources, Google maps and the popular search engine, but has created partnerships with many other health care providers and information services.