Diseases: A Research Guide
When disease or the possibility of disease strikes you or someone close to you, a natural instinct is to learn as much as possible about the disease in order to understand its impact on the body and to enable the patient and doctor to have more engaging discussions about it. This guide introduces the researcher to some of the basic informational sources on the topic. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library’s catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.
Reference Books
The Merck Manual of Medical Information, 2nd ed., Home ed. by Mark H. Beers. Simon & Schuster, 2003. ISBN: 0911910352. Also available online at
Comprehensive look at many disorders, symptoms and treatments. Based on the authoritative textbook of medicine, The Merck Manual.
Mosby’s Handbook of Diseases edited by Rae Langford and June M. Thompson. St. Louis: Mosby, 2000. ISBN: 032300895X.
Profile of 231 adult and pediatric diseases and conditions including definitions and descriptions, complications, frequently ordered diagnostic tests, and treatments.
Mosby’s Pediatric Nursing Reference by Linda A. Sowden and Cecily Lynn Betz. St. Louis: Mosby, 2000. ISBN: 0323009352.
Includes coverage of major pediatric medical and surgical conditions, diagnostic tests, and procedures in a convenient alphabetical format.
Professional Guide to Diseases, 7th ed. Springhouse, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001. ISBN: 1582550735.
Information on diseases, findings, and treatments for over 600 diseases. Organized by body system. Appendices cover rare diseases, cultural considerations, and community resources.
Web Sites
AIDS Gateway to the Internet
Provides fact sheets on AIDS as well as prevention, treatment, and current news.
Hepatitis.org
Provides information on the various types of hepatitis including alcoholic hepatitis, hepatitis in the workplace, viral hepatitis, hepatitis C, and more.
MayoClinic.com
MayoClinic.com’s medical experts and editorial professionals bring you information on diseases, conditions, treatment, and prevention.
Medline Plus
Offers a variety of information on diseases, disorders, and conditions including encyclopedia entries and related organizations.
The Merck Manual of Medical Information, 2nd ed., Home ed.
Comprehensive look at many disorders, symptoms and treatments. Based on the authoritative textbook of medicine, The Merck Manual.
WebMD, Diseases and Conditions
Guide to the basics, treatment, prevention, community, experts, and the latest news.
Organizations
American Cancer Society
Publishes information to support cancer patients and survivors including early detection, treatment options, clinical trials. Provides access to local information.
American Diabetes Association
Offers information about diabetes prevention, weight loss, nutrition, recipes, and more.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Includes information about health and safety topics and access to publications, data, and statistics.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Health information includes a list of the most frequently asked questions about various types of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases and their answers. Also includes related organizations.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Conducts biomedical research, disseminating research findings and health information to the public. Offers information about diabetes, digestive endocrine and metabolic diseases, hematologic diseases, kidney and urologic disease, nutrition and weight loss, and statistics.
National Institute of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research to improve people’s health and save lives.
Office of Rare Diseases, National Institute of Health
Genetic and rare disease information center for major topics of interest in rare diseases research.
World Health Organization
Provides access to research database including all WHO publications from 1948 onwards and articles from WHO-produced journals and technical documents from 1985 to the present.
Subject Headings
•communicable diseases
•disease—handbooks
•disease—nurses’ instruction
•medicine, popular—handbooks, manuals, etc.
•symptoms—handbooks, manuals, etc.
•vaccination—statistics and numerical data—handbooks