Arthritis
Back Pain
Cancer
Congenital Heart Defect
Depression
Developmental Disability
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Kidney Disorder
Lung Disease
Arthritis
Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of the joint's cartilage. It affects hands and weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips, feet, and the back. It is most common in middle-aged and older adults. Arthritis is a major cause of lost work time and is a serious disability for many people in the United States. There are more than 100 types of arthritis. Arthritis specialists are called "rheumatologists".
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), an agency of the National Institute of Health (NIH), has published a number of fact sheets that answer questions for persons with arthritis and their families, including:
Do I Have Arthritis?
Handout on Health: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Questions and Answers About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases
The Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is a great resource for anyone desiring to know more about arthritis.
Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic offers information about sign, symptoms, causes, treatments and more.
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Back Pain
Back pain is the second most common neurological illness. It is the most common cause of job-related disability and the leading cause of lost work time. To learn more, checkout the resources below:
North American Spine Society
The North American Spine Society provides information on prevention and spine health maintenance, as well as specific spine conditions on its website.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons provides helpful information on back care on its national website.
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Cancer
Cancer is an abnormal overgrowth of cells in the human body. Normal body cells develop and grow with certain limitations. Once the limitation is broken, cell overgrowth is out of control and cancer forms.
American Cancer Society, Patients, Family, & Friends
Learn about the different types of cancers on this website.
National Cancer Institute
The Cancer Information page from the National Cancer Institute contains general information on cancer types, treatment, prevention, causes, and cancer support groups.
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Congenital Heart Defect
A condition is called congenital when it is present at birth. Heart defects originate in the early part of pregnancy when the heart is forming. Congenital heart defects can affect any of the different parts or functions of the heart.
March of Dimes
This website has a quick reference sheet on congenital heart defect.
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association addresses congenital heart defects at its website.
Congenital Heart Information Network
The Congenital Heart Information Network is a nonprofit information network for families in need.
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Depression
Depression affects a person's ability to complete daily tasks and can affect family and friends. Major depression is a leading cause of disability in the U.S. each year. There are different types of depression, affecting all age groups. The primary treatment for depression at present is prescribing antidepressant drugs. However, there are uncomfortable side effects to many drugs, and more people are seeking alternative medical approaches such as herbal medicine or acupuncture.
Coping With Depression in Older Adults
Brochure about depression and what to do if you think you or a loved one is suffering from this condition.
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health provides a general overview of depression.
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a nonprofit organization providing grass roots and advocacy help in mental health.
Depression in the Elderly: 7 Ways to Help
Older people are at risk for depression, are underserved by the mental health profession, and have the highest rates of suicide in the country. But many seniors are resistant to treatment because they don't want to burden their families, or equate depression with weakness or even death.
"One of the hardest questions I get from families is, 'How can I get my elderly loved one mental health help when they don't want it?' " says Joel E. Streim, MD, professor of geriatric psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Here are some coping strategies.
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Developmental Disability
Developmental Disabilities are physical or mental impairments that begin before age 22, and alter or substantially inhibit a person's capacity to do at least three of the following:
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Take care of themselves (dress, bathe, eat, and other daily tasks)
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Speak and be understood clearly
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Learn
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Walk or move around
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Make decisions
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Live on their own
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Earn and manage an income
About 17 percent of all U.S. children under the age of 18 have a developmental disability. In most instances, the cause of the disability is unknown. That is why it is important to understand what factors increase the chance that a child will have a developmental disability and what can be done to prevent the condition. Approximately 2 percent of school-aged children in the U.S. have a serious developmental disability, such as mental retardation or cerebral palsy, and need special education services or supportive care.
Special Education Center of Hawai`i (SECOH)
The Special Education Center of Hawai`i (SECOH) provides individual and family supports that promote successful community living for persons with developmental disabilities.
Hawai`i State Developmental Disabilities Division
Read about the statewide efforts of the Hawai`i State Developmental Disabilities Division. DDD’s aims to foster partnerships and provide quality person-centered and family-focused services and supports that promote self-determination.
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Check out their website for more information about developmental disabilities.
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Diabetes
Diabetes is a disorder that occurs when the hormone 'insulin' does not properly convert sugar into energy or stored energy form. People with diabetes have a problem with the sugar level in their body. Excess sugar leads to damage of different organs such as the heart and skin, and blood vessels.
Hawai`i State Diabetes Control Program
The Hawai`i State Diabetes Control Program provides resources to individuals and families dealing with diabetes.
American Diabetes Association
Learn more about diabetes on the American Diabetes Association website.
National Diabetes Education Program
Find out information about diabetes through the National Diabetes Education Program.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides frequently asked questions on diabetes.
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), an agency of the National Institute of Health (NIH), provides the following on diabetes.
Guiding Principles for Controlling Diabetes for Life
NIH supports a National Diabetes Education Program, hosting "Guiding Principles for Controlling Diabetes for Life" available by visiting the website.
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Heart disease
The heart constantly pumps blood to all parts of the body. If the heart is diseased, the pumping function is interfered with, causing a life-threatening situation.
American Heart Association
To learn more about diseases and conditions that affect your heart and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, visit the American Heart Association website.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute also provides valuable facts on heart and vascular diseases.
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Kidney disorder
The kidney's function is to clean the blood by taking away extra water and waste. When both kidneys stop working, the body holds the extra water and waste, causing damage.
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC)
The National Institute of Health (NIH) supports a National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), with helpful information regarding kidney disorders.
American Association of Kidney Patients
Individuals with kidney disease can find support at the American Association of Kidney Patients website.
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Lung Disease
Lung disease is the number three killer of Americans and is responsible for one in every seven deaths. More than 35 million Americans are living with chronic lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
American Lung Association
Learn more about lung disease at the American Lung Association's website.
Lung Disease Overview
Women experiencing lung disease may find support at the following information site, "Lung Disease Overview", National Women's Health Information Center.
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