Virtual Academic Resource Center

The world's most valuable and comprehensive scholarly, multi-disciplinary full-text database, with more than 8,500 full-text periodicals, including more than 7,300 peer-reviewed journals. In addition to full text, this database offers indexing and abstracts for more than 12,500 journals and a total of more than 13,200 publications including monographs, reports, conference proceedings, etc.

This site offers individualized guides for more than 120 types of cancer and related hereditary syndromes. Each guide provides comprehensive, oncologist-approved information on Overview, Medical Illustrations, Risk Factors, Prevention, Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis, Stages, Treatment Options, About Clinical Trials, Coping with Side Effects, After Treatment, Latest Research, Questions to Ask the Doctor, and Additional Resources.

Visit this site to view animated illustrations on cell processes.

Crohn's disease, also termed ileitis, regional enteritis, or granulomatous colitis, is a chronic inflammation of the intestine, often involving the lower section of the small intestine called the ileum. Crohn's disease is relatively rare and can often be controlled with medical management. Around 70% of Crohn's sufferers will require surgery at some point, typically to correct obstruction, abscesses, or perforations. While surgical treatment can alleviate the symptoms, it does not cure Crohn's disease. The timing of a colonoscopy in Crohn's disease depends on several factors. A colonoscopy is performed to assess which parts of the lower bowel (rectum, colon and terminal ileum (end of the small bowel)) are affected to:
1. Initially make a diagnosis
2. Assess the effectiveness of treatment
3. Assess whether ongoing symptoms such as pain and diarrhea are due to active Crohn's inflammation in order to guide a change in therapy, or from any complications such as strictures (narrowings) in the bowel
4. Assess if there are changes in the bowel that might increase the risk of bowel cancer. This is usually only done in patients where extensive amounts of the colon are involved. There is a small increase in the chance of developing colon cancer after many years (usually more than 10) of disease in these patients. In this situation, colonoscopy is usually performed yearly from 8 to 10 years since diagnosis.

The basics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

The pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory (non-reversible) asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis. The COPD Foundation’s mission is to prevent and cure chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to improve the lives of all people affected by COPD.

Dynamed is the next-generation clinical reference tool physicians can rely on for fast, easy access to point-of-care decision support. DynaMed® is the clinical reference tool that clinicians go to for answers. Content is written by a world-class team of physicians who synthesize the evidence and provide objective analysis.

One in three deaths in the United States is due to cardiovascular disease. Review preventions section.

Become familiar with the U.S. government's primary agency for cancer research.

A U.S. government program devoted to clinical and basic research efforts in patient care. Included on the site are many publications and an online course for nurses who wish to conduct research.

Learn more about chronic kidney disease.

Information about infant respiratory distress syndrome.

Health care workers are occupationally exposed to a variety of infectious diseases during the performance of their duties. Visit this site for regulations and safety and resource information.

Interview with a patient on opioids for chronic pain management who is demonstrating aberrant behaviors. The interview demonstrates a motivational interviewing approach.

Sepsis Alliance is the leading sepsis organization in the U.S. working in all 50 states to save lives and reduce suffering from sepsis.

Visit SCDAA for educational information & resources for patients.

Learn relaxation techniques to manage your stress level and increase your ability to cope with life's challenges.

In this introductory video on the urinary system, a brief overview of the following is discussed: the purpose of the urinary system, the structures that make it up, the functions of each, and how they work together to maintain balance in the body.

For more information on allostatic load, Dr. Don Bosch, clinical psychologist at the Headington Institute, explains allostasis and how chronic stress can lead to allostatic load. This video provides insights to recognizing allostatic load and the key resilience behaviors that help us restore stability in the midst of change.

Free iTunes app: Virtual Heart lets you explore multiple real-time views of the human heart.