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Do you find yourself struggling to find reliable information about your health condition on the internet? Not sure where to go, what to search for or whom to trust? Here are some questions to ask yourself when you find health information on the web to determine if it is reliable.

1. Who publishes the website and what is the purpose of the site? On any website, there should be a link to the “about us” section, which will give you details regarding who is running the site and what the purpose of the site is. For example, with SeekWellness, the “about us” page states that SeekWellness.com is owned by a group of professional health care providers and consumers. It further explains the purpose and mission as well as how the site is funded.
   
   
2. Where is the information coming from and how is it selected? It is important to find details about the articles you are reading. Check for an author. Does the author have credentials that qualify him/her to be writing such an article? Make sure to check for references. Any articles including statistics or facts should be backed up by references. At SeekWellness, the majority of our articles are written by our expert staff and we carefully select contributors who are experts in their field. For example, Diane K Newman, RNC, MSN, CRNP, FAAN has been an incontinence nurse for over 20 years and is the director of our incontinence center. She has contributed several articles to SeekWellness.com, all of which are clearly marked directly underneath the title of the article, and references are listed at the end of each page.
   
   
3. How easily can you contact someone from the website? There should always be a way for you to contact the site owner if you come across any questions or concerns. There should be a “contact us” section with a way to email or contact the site owner. Additionally, if the website has forums or chat rooms, you should find out if they are moderated and if so by whom. Always use caution when using discussion boards. In most cases, forum messages are contributed by individuals writing of their own personal experiences and may not include expert advice. It is important to discuss information you learn with your doctor.
   
   
4. How to determine if a site is unreliable. A good rule of thumb: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here are other cues that a site may not be reliable:
   • Sites promising quick, dramatic results.
   • Sites claiming that their product/pill can cure a variety of illnesses.
   • Sites relying on secret ingredients.
   • Sites that use a lot of exclamation points to emphasize their point.

Although the web can be a great source for information, there are many websites that are not reliable and present half-truths and myths. Make sure you do your research to ensure the information you are finding is accurate. SeekWellness.com is a great example of websites presenting reliable information to their audiences. And always remember that information you find on the Internet does not replace your doctor’s advice. Your doctor knows your medical history and is offering advice based on your own personal health. No website can do that.

References:
National Institute of Health, US Department of Health & Human Services, “Ten Things to Know About Evaluating Medical Resources on the Web”

US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), “How to Evaluate Health Information on the Internet” 2005.

American Academy of Family Physicians, “Health Information on the Web: Finding Reliable Information” 2008

Go to SeekWellness.com to find reliable health information on your condition.
For product information, visit the SeekWellness Store.

Cooking outdoors was once only a summer activity shared with family and friends. Now more than half of Americans say they are cooking outdoors year round. It's important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and causing foodborne illness. Use these simple guidelines for grilling food safely.

Transporting Meats/Poultry
When shopping, buy cold food like meat and poultry last, right before checkout. To protect foods against cross-contamination, put packages of raw meat and poultry into plastic bags. Plan to drive directly home from the grocery store. Always refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours. Refrigerate within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90 °F. At home, place meat and poultry in the refrigerator immediately. Freeze poultry and ground meat that won't be used in 1 or 2 days; freeze other meat within 4 to 5 days.

Many women can relate to the feeling of walking into a less-than-clean public restroom. Feeling safe involves covering the seat with endless amounts of toilet paper, squatting to avoid making contact with the toilet, shuffling to find a comfortable position, all the while trying to make sure that your clothing doesn’t touch the dirty floor. This situation is very common in many public restrooms, but now you can avoid it completely by using a new, innovative product. When nature calls, the WhizEasy gives women the freedom to pass urine wherever and whenever they choose. This soft and gentle device allows women of all ages to urinate into a toilet while standing.

The WhizEasy, is a urine guide that has been carefully designed as a flexible lily shape which fits comfortably to the outer curves of the human body. It is externally held against the private area. When a woman starts urinating, nature and gravity do the rest. Urine is directed away from the body so there are no flowbacks, splashes or spills, you don't even have to remove outer or under clothing.

Every girl and woman can use the Whiz Easy for convenience in the outdoors or to avoid dirty, unsanitary public facilities. It is useful for anyone who has difficulty squatting, hovering or getting to the bathroom quickly. For the sports enthusiast, leisure user or individuals with various medical conditions, its uses are unlimited.

Do you experience urinary incontinence? Then you know that adult diapers are not good choices because they are not easy to conceal and can cause much embarrassment.. However, many discreet and comfortable alternatives for men are available-

• âfex®is an innovative breakthrough for male incontinence management. Designed by those who have incontinence and tested by urologists, afex provides comfort, convenience, and confidence, while being very cost effective. The receptacle is latex-free and ergonomically shaped for a loose fit and ventilation. The afex collection bag doesn't require tubes or leg straps. The "turn-n-click" design makes attaching simple and quick, plus two convenient stability tabs allow you to secure the bag as needed. The 96% cotton briefs discreetly and comfortably support the receptacle and collection bag. It also prevents the bag from rubbing against the leg. It is both comfortable and discreet. Patients who have used the product report very high levels of satisfaction.
  
• GeeWhiz® is internationally recognized as a 2008 Winner of a Medical Design Excellence Award; awarded to new innovative medical devices that have demonstrated advances and end user benefits over other products in its industry.

  read more

  
  

Cooking outdoors was once only a summer activity shared with family and friends. Now more than half of Americans say they are cooking outdoors year round. It's important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and causing foodborne illness. Use these simple guidelines for grilling food safely.

Transporting Meats/Poultry
When shopping, buy cold food like meat and poultry last, right before checkout. To protect foods against cross-contamination, put packages of raw meat and poultry into plastic bags. Plan to drive directly home from the grocery store. Always refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours. Refrigerate within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90 °F. At home, place meat and poultry in the refrigerator immediately. Freeze poultry and ground meat that won't be used in 1 or 2 days; freeze other meat within 4 to 5 days.

Many women can relate to the feeling of walking into a less-than-clean public restroom. Feeling safe involves covering the seat with endless amounts of toilet paper, squatting to avoid making contact with the toilet, shuffling to find a comfortable position, all the while trying to make sure that your clothing doesn’t touch the dirty floor. This situation is very common in many public restrooms, but now you can avoid it completely by using a new, innovative product. When nature calls, the WhizEasy gives women the freedom to pass urine wherever and whenever they choose. This soft and gentle device allows women of all ages to urinate into a toilet while standing.

The WhizEasy, is a urine guide that has been carefully designed as a flexible lily shape which fits comfortably to the outer curves of the human body. It is externally held against the private area. When a woman starts urinating, nature and gravity do the rest. Urine is directed away from the body so there are no flowbacks, splashes or spills, you don't even have to remove outer or under clothing.

Every girl and woman can use the Whiz Easy for convenience in the outdoors or to avoid dirty, unsanitary public facilities. It is useful for anyone who has difficulty squatting, hovering or getting to the bathroom quickly. For the sports enthusiast, leisure user or individuals with various medical conditions, its uses are unlimited.

Do you experience urinary incontinence? Then you know that adult diapers are not good choices because they are not easy to conceal and can cause much embarrassment.. However, many discreet and comfortable alternatives for men are available-

• âfex®is an innovative breakthrough for male incontinence management. Designed by those who have incontinence and tested by urologists, afex provides comfort, convenience, and confidence, while being very cost effective. The receptacle is latex-free and ergonomically shaped for a loose fit and ventilation. The afex collection bag doesn't require tubes or leg straps. The "turn-n-click" design makes attaching simple and quick, plus two convenient stability tabs allow you to secure the bag as needed. The 96% cotton briefs discreetly and comfortably support the receptacle and collection bag. It also prevents the bag from rubbing against the leg. It is both comfortable and discreet. Patients who have used the product report very high levels of satisfaction.
  
• GeeWhiz® is internationally recognized as a 2008 Winner of a Medical Design Excellence Award; awarded to new innovative medical devices that have demonstrated advances and end user benefits over other products in its industry.

  read more