health information

Support and advise for a specific condition

Please find below a list of conditions that are covered within this section.
Please select which condition you would like to find out more information on:

Alzheimer’s and dementia
Arthritis
Cancer
Congenital and aquired heart disease
Epilepsy
Multiple sclerosis
Osteoporosis
Parkinson’s disease
Sports injuries
Stroke

Please also see our PATIENT ZONE NEWS section which features a focus on Lung Cancer

Alzheimer’s and dementia

The Alzheimer’s Society www.alzheimers.org.uk
The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with any form of dementia and their carers. Their website has a range of information on dementia and has a good selection of advise for those caring for someone with dementia.

The Alzheimer's Research Trust www.alzheimers-research.org.uk
This Trust funds UK research into the causes, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy Bodies and fronto-temporal dementia. Their website provides information on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and includes information on the latest research programs in the UK.

Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org
Though obviously geared for the USA this site contains comprehensive information about Alzheimer’s, including treatment options, clinical trials and positive steps you can take for living with Alzheimer’s.

If any of these links are not working or the website didn’t meet your expectations, please send us an email as we would appreciate your feedback.

Arthritis

Arthritis Care www.arthritiscare.org.uk
Arthritis Care aims to promote the health, well being and independence of people with arthritis through services, support, self-help, information and influence. The website details their 500 support branches, their telephone helpline service, useful publications and their range of training courses that help people to learn to with cope with arthritis.

The Arthritis Research Campaign www.arc.org.uk
The Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) aims to advance the understanding, prevention and treatment of arthritis and related conditions. They have over 70 booklets, leaflets and information sheets about arthritis available on their site or for you to download.

BBC Arthritis Guide www.bbc.co.uk/health/arthritis
This website has some general advice on arthritis with an emphasis on pointing you in the right direction to help yourself - without providing specific treatment suggestions for individuals.

If any of these links are not working or the website didn’t meet your expectations, please send us an email as we would appreciate your feedback.

Cancer


Below are some links to websites that provide advise on a range of cancers. If you have any feedback on these sites, or would like to recommend additional links, please email us.

The Roy Castle Foundation: www.roycastle.org

The British Lung Foundation: www.lunguk.org

The Lung Cancer Coalition: www.lungcancercoalition.com

Breast Cancer Care www.breastcancercare.org.uk
This site provides free help, information and support to women with breast cancer.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer www.breakthrough.org.uk
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research and awareness. The website has an excellent area that uses simple illustrations to detail many aspects of breast cancer including, breast biology, the prevention and causes of breast cancer and NHS screening programs.

British Brain and Spine Foundation www.brainandspine.org.uk
Offers information and support about neurological disorders, including brain tumours. There is an information area where you can download a range of booklets for free and there are also range of patients perspectives.

Cancer Backup www.cancerbacup.org.uk
CancerBACUP was launched as a national cancer information service that provides cancer patients and their families and friends with high quality and up to date information, practical advice and support. The site has answers to over 1000 important questions about cancer available online.

CancerHelp UK www.cancerhelp.org.uk
CancerHelp UK is a free information service brought to you by Cancer Research UK that priovides information about cancer and the care available for patients and their families.

Cancer Research UK www.cancerresearchuk.org
For up to date information about cancer, with a particular emphasis on cancer research and new developments in treatment.

CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood) www.clic.uk.com
Supports young people under 21 who have, or have had cancer.

Colon Cancer Concern www.coloncancer.org.uk
Provides access to a download zone with PDF’s that include; understanding colorectal cancer, knowing the symptons & who is at risk, Ways to help yourself and an A-Z Terminology.

ican www.ican4u.com
i can is a journal featuring practical advice and cutting-edge information on cancer and its treatment from leading experts and those who have experienced the disease. i can is for everyone affected by cancer, from patients and their families to the professionals involved in their care. It is published four times a year and is available free of charge in the UK. Log onto the website for further details, and to add your name to the mailing list

Lymphoma Association www.lymphoma.com
This site provides a broad range of information and support for Hodgkin's Disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients and their families.

Macmillan Cancer Relief www.macmillan.org.uk/cancerinformation
Their cancer information centre helps you and your family understand what could happen at each stage of your experience of cancer. You can search this site to find out about publications produced by other organisations, locate a support group in your area, find the Macmillan Information and Support centre closest to you and find out when the Mobile Cancer Information Centre will be in your community.

Marie Curie Cancer Care www.mariecurie.org.uk
Offers care and support for people with cancer.

Tenovus www.tenovus.org.uk
Undertakes pioneering programmes of research and also funds patient care and counselling, run through the Tenovus Cancer Information Centre (TCIC). The website provides patient support information and details about applying for their patient grants, designed to help with increased financial burden.

The Prostate Cancer Charity www.prostate-cancer.org.uk
This website provides support and information services to people affected by prostate cancer including free fact sheets for download, details on available support and current research programs.

If any of these links are not working or the website didn’t meet your expectations, please send us an email as we would appreciate your feedback.

Congenital and Aquired Heart Disease


Below are some links to websites that provide advise on a range of heart conditions. If you have any feedback on these sites, or would like to recommend additional links, please email us.

American Heart Association www.americanheart.org
The American Heart Association publishes an extremely wide range of books, fact sheets and leaflets and its website, though obviously geared for the USA, contains lots of useful and relevant information on prevention and self-help.

Association for Children with heart disorders www.heartchild.info
The Association gives support and understanding to parents and families through the website, which hosts a range of information including contacts for support, a dictionary of medical terms and details explaining the type of consultants that parents will need to be in contact with.

British Heart Foundation www.bhf.org.uk
This website provides information on all issues relating to heart health and is supported by their Heart Information Line - 08450 70 80 70 (lines are available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) www.c-r-y.org.uk
One of the many aims of CRY is to emphasise the considerable amount that can be done to help young people who have been diagnosed as having a cardiac condition. They also provide counselling and support to families affected.

Coronary Prevention Group www.healthnet.org.uk
This organisation was formed in 1979 by a group of doctors and other experts solely concerned with preventing heart disease. Its user-friendly website and contains over 700 pages of health and lifestyle information.

The Grown Up Congenital Heart Patients Association (GUCH) www.guch.demon.co.uk
GUCH is a UK charity, founded in 1993 to provide information and support for young people and adults who were born with a heart condition, and their families.

Heart Children www.heartchildren.ie
Heart Children is a parent support group for families of children with congenital heart defects and the site provides simple information with clear illustrations explaining the different conditions in congenital heart disease.

Healthy Heart www.healthyheart.nhs.uk
This site will help you to explore ways in which you and your family can increase your chances of living a long and healthy life, free from the problems that heart disease brings.

Heart UK www.heartuk.org.uk
Heart UK (Hyperlipidaemia Education And Research Trust) is committed to raising awareness of heart disease in the UK and stresses the importance of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk. They provide information for patients and families with inherited high cholesterol and support scientific research and good clinical practice for the management of hyperlipidaemia within the UK

If any of these links are not working or the website didn’t meet your expectations, please send us an email as we would appreciate your feedback.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy Action www.epilepsy.org.uk
Epilepsy Action is the working name for British Epilepsy Association. This website contains everything you need to know about epilepsy - and if you can't find something you can use their email helpline service.

National Society for Epilepsy www.epilepsynse.org.uk
On this site you will find up to date information on epilepsy, causes of seizures, treatment, first aid for seizures, and lifestyle issues. If you'd like to chat and connect with other people affected by the condition, you can visit their epilepsy message board.

Epilepsy Support www.epilepsysupport.org.uk
This website was created by an Epilepsy sufferer to help share experiences with other sufferers. The website has a chat room and message board and an information zone with articles, fact sheets and a glossary.

National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy www.ncype.org.uk
This centre includes a school, a Further Education College, a National Assessment Centre and research and training facilities. On the website, you will find excellent information about Epilepsy including the causes, diagnosis, seizure classifications, treatment and myths.

If any of these links are not working or the website didn’t meet your expectations, please send us an email as we would appreciate your feedback.

Multiple Sclerosis


The Multiple Sclerosis Society www.mssociety.org.uk
This easy to use and friendly website provides information and links on living with MS, the support available in and around the UK and also features a fantastic ‘chance to talk area’ that links MS sufferers up with each other giving them the opportunity to talk about their experiences.

The Multiple Sclerosis Trust www.mstrust.org.uk
The information service on this website hosts some FAQ’s and suggests some further read on MS. It also invites you to contact their team of experienced information professionals who will help you make informed decisions about treatments, care or current research into MS.

Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre www.msrc.co.uk
The website provides information on their range of support services including a 24 hour support helpline, free information leaflets you can download, a chat room with weekly chat sessions and news on research and development.

MS Self Help www.ms-selfhelp.org
MS Self Help represents a group of self-help Therapy Centres offering assistance to thousands of people with Multiple Sclerosis throughout England and Wales. These Centres provide a wide range of drug-free symptom management therapies as well as advice and support for all those with the illness and their families.

If any of these links are not working or the website didn’t meet your expectations, please send us an email as we would appreciate your feedback.

Osteoporosis


National Osteoporosis Society www.nos.org.uk
The NOS offers support to people with osteoporosis, their families and carers through a range of information booklets, a national telephone helpline and a network of regional support groups

National Osteoporosis Foundation - www.nof.org
This US site contains lots of useful and relevant information on Osteoporosis including patient information, fall prevention, advise on medications and tips for setting up your own support group.

If any of these links are not working or the website didn’t meet your expectations, please send us an email as we would appreciate your feedback.

Parkinson’s Disease


Parkinson’s Disease Society www.parkinsons.org.uk
This society provides support, advice and information to people with Parkinson’s, their carers, families and friends and to health and social services professionals involved in management and care. Within their resources section, under support services, there is a range of publications and fact sheets that can be downloaded.

Parkinson’s Disease Foundation www.pdf.org
This US site contains comprehensive information about Parkinson’s disease including symptoms and treatment and has an extensive selection of frequently asked questions, providing visitors with the opportunity to submit their own questions.

If any of these links are not working or the website didn’t meet your expectations, please send us an email as we would appreciate your feedback.

Sports Injuries


Sports Injuries Clinic www.sportsinjuryclinic.net
This useful website includes a virtual diagnosis of over 100 sports injuries, an injury index, answers to questions about the causes and symptoms of your injury and a forum that allows you to share sports injury questions and problems with other athletes

BBC Education www.bbc.co.uk/health/fitness/injuries
This website provides excellent information on sports injuries including how to prevent injuries, information on both overuse and traumatic injuries and the healing process.

Medic Direct Sport www.medicdirectsport.com
Medicdirect Sport provides an extensive sport information resource for both people who are interested in general fitness and trained athletes. It has a section dedicated to sports injuries that looks at common injuries, injury treatment principals and understanding the stages of recovery from injury.

Physio Room www.physioroom.com
This comprehensive website covers a range of topics and has sections featuring; injury prevention, an injury A-Z that allows you to find out about symptoms and treatment for a specific injury and an area where you can send in questions to a panel of experts.

If any of these links are not working or the website didn’t meet your expectations, please send us an email as we would appreciate your feedback.

Stroke


The Stroke Association www.stroke.org.uk
The Stroke Association provides support for people who have had strokes, their families and carers. The website provides details regarding their national stroke information telephone helpline and welfare grants, and also has some valuable publications you can download.

BBS Education www.bbc.co.uk/health/stroke
This site describes what a stroke is, the causes and symptoms - and preventative measures. There's also a section devoted to stroke organisations and people who can help.

Different Strokes www.differentstrokes.co.uk
Different Strokes is run by, and for young people. The charity's aims include providing young stroke survivors with access to exercise facilities, practical information packs, counselling services, benefit rights, information on further and higher education and special training and work opportunities.

The Internet Stroke Center www.strokecenter.org
This US site is produced by the Washington University School of Medicine and the Stroke Centre at Jewish Barnes Hospital. There are sections dedicated to stroke patients and their families and also health care professionals and scientists. The level and depth of information ranges from online rehabilitation programmes for stroke survivors to updates on research trails for scientist users.

If any of these links are not working or the website didn’t meet your expectations, please send us an email as we would appreciate your feedback.