100 Web Tools to Help You Live to 100

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August 18, 2009

Living to 100 is well within reach these days. With the amount of medical information available on the Internet, patients can self-manage their health while seeking personalized advice and tips from doctors and medical professionals from the comfort of their home, office or school. Using these 100 health-related tools, along with regular visits to your physician, can improve your overall health and make living to 100 an attainable goal.

Medical Advice

If you want health information without a doctor’s appointment, these tools are here for you. Browse through alphabetized illnesses, check out doctor forums or brush up on your medical lingo. These up-to-date health sites are dedicated to teaching patients and providing answers to your burning health questions and can become like your own helpful personal nurse.

1. NIH. This Federal agency is at the forefront of medical research and discovery. Browse through hundreds of health topics and listen to audio reports on NIH Radio.
2. WebMD. This popular site is stocked with useful health information and up-to-date medical news.
3. MedicineNet. Receive health information straight from virtual doctors.
4. Mayo Clinic. A certified HONcode Web site, devoted to reliable health information from thousands of physicians, researchers and experts.
5. Yahoo! Health. Search through a plethora of health topics on this mega search engine.
6. RxList. Get prescription information on drugs A through Z, while studying your medical terminology.
7. RealAge. Test your actual age and learn about ways to turn back the hands of time for a healthier you.
8. MedHelp. Discuss your health problems with others in support communities or join an ask-all doctor-patient forum.
9. Healthline. From discussing symptoms to finding the right doctor for you, this site has information for every step in your healthcare journey.
10. Everyday Health. Join a health forum or check out doctor’s and patient’s blogs.
11. American Heart Association. Read the latest heart news, download patient information sheets and log your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and exercise data for you and your next doctor’s visit.
12. FamilyDoctor. Find health information for all members of your family on this American Academy of Family Physicians sponsored site.
13. QualityHealth. Get virtual checkups, share Q & As with medical experts and get free goodies by completing health surveys.
14. Prevention. Search health expert tips and healthy habits on this feel-good site.

Symptoms Search

These advanced tools let you be your own doctor and pinpoint your symptoms. Although they are not a substitute for a physician’s medical diagnosis, these symptom checking sites give you information that can be helpful at doctor’s visits and prevent future illnesses.

15. Diseases Database. This handy site gives information to help you find a link between your symptoms and a possible illness or disease.
16. Symptom Checker. Be an expert of your symptoms with this detailed health encyclopedia that defines the symptom, lists alternative names, gives common causes and provides home care remedies.
17. My Electronic MD. Educate yourself by screening your symptoms to find a possible diagnosis.
18. MerckSource. Use the symptom navigator to pinpoint what ails you and find information on treating your problem.
19. FreeMD. A virtual doctor will interview you to evaluate your condition and establish a cause for your symptoms.
20. NetWellness. Get detailed information about illnesses and ask an expert about any health-related topics.
21. Healthcentral. Click the male, female or child diagrams to find the specific problem areas, evaluate the symptoms and find supplemental information about the ailment.
22. Medical Library. Receive quick online diagnoses and treatments for 1,200 recorded diseases.
23. Livestrong. This symptom checker goes above and beyond by giving a prognosis for your symptom, advice on when to visit a doctor and what to expect at the appointment, as well as a list of medical references.
24. InteliHealth. Get in-depth information on your symptoms, along with dental health, and read news reviews from Harvard Medical School.
25. Your Diagnosis. If you’re looking for a second opinion, this site can help by narrowing your diagnosis through an intensive questionnaire to generate a confidential medical report.
26. myOptumHealth. This site will give you a better understanding of your symptom and keep it on file to check your progress.
27. MSN Health. This site has a symptom checker for physical and mental symptoms.
28. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Check out the symptoms of this painful joint condition that is more prevalent with old age.
29. Foot Health. Get detailed information on common foot conditions so you can keep moving.

Food and Nutrition

In order to live to 100, you must nourish your body with food. These nutrition tools will help you find healthy meal alternatives, new recipes and ways to improve your overall heath by eating. Any nursing student can tell you that eating healthy is a must if you want to stay healthy.

30. MyPyramid. The Food Guide Pyramid has been an educational tool for helping Americans eat healthy for many years. Now, consumers can get more from the colorful pyramid by setting food goals, customizing food plans and planning menus all on this USDA site.
31. Nutrition. Find out what is exactly in your food and how it affects your health, and learn how to reduce your risk for disease by eating nutritious foods.
32. WHFoods. Check out the World’s Healthiest Foods’ "Food of the Week" and how you can incorporate it into your healthy diet plan.
33. NutritionData. This site’s motto, "know what you eat," does just that with a detailed breakdown of food’s nutritional value, calories and fullness factor. Also, search and compare your favorite veg out snacks or fast food meals.
34. Food Network. The ever popular Food Network Channel’s Web site provides healthy recipes straight from the TV chefs, as well as meal makeovers of your favorite dishes and a healthy eats blog.
35. Epicurious. Designed for "people who love to eat," this site has decadent, healthy recipes for all mealtimes, along with vegetarian and kid-friendly dishes.
36. Food Timeline. If you live for the past, then you may find this food timeline of great interest. See what the Vikings ate, when walnuts were discovered and compare your diet to the Romans cuisines.
37. Whole Foods. Check out organic food recipes, look up special diet information or join a forum to discuss diet concerns, healthy eating or exchange recipes with other foodies like you.
38. Eating Well. This site promotes healthy food choices that taste good too. Learn how to cook foods that fuel your metabolism, test your portion-control and think yourself thin.
39. Healthy Dining Finder. Healthy eating doesn’t have to stop when you leave home. Try this nifty dining guide that locates restaurants in your zip code and lists the healthiest dishes with calories and fat counted.
40. American Dietetic Association. As the largest group of food and nutrition professionals, the ADA site is committed to providing the latest nutrition news and resources for consumers.
41. Nature Made. Find the vitamins that fit your needs and read articles about vitamin intake and how it can improve your health.
42. Food as Food. Learn about garlic’s cold-fighting benefits, why you should choose red or black grapes instead white or green ones, and how to make lentil soup.
43. Vegetarian Times. This online magazine has a huge collection of vegetarian recipes and articles about the health benefits of vegetarianism.
44. FDA. Get timely news on food related issues and learn about food preparation and handling precautions.
45. Delish. Blog about food, watch how-to cooking videos and use their handy ingredient substitution ideas on this delish site.
46. UPMC Nutrition Services. Check out these tips for eating healthy on a budget and how to dine smart.

Exercise and Fitness

We know that physical activity is a must for living a long, healthy life, and it’s never too late or too early to start your fitness routine today. These fitness sites will provide you with useful information, health tips and workouts that can shed the pounds and add years to your life.

47. President’s Council. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports provides health, fitness and sports information to challenge all Americans to lead healthier, more physical lives. Earn awards for your daily fitness efforts, read government-cited facts about fitness and even learn how to train like an astronaut.
48. Fitness. Reach your fitness goals by creating your own virtual workout plan, joining a weight-loss forum and even shopping for all your workout essentials.
49. Fitness Online. Watch workout videos, calculate your fitness levels or search through the database of articles that come from popular fitness magazines, such as Shape, Men’s Fitness and Muscle & Fitness Hers.
50. Fitness Magazine. The workout magazine comes alive online with features like virtual personal trainers, music for your workout playlist and the best sneakers for every workout.
51. Exercise. Target your specific needs and get information and support in a number of community forums dedicated to fitness and weight-loss.
52. Men’s Health. Men’s Health magazine takes their online issue further with an online training program tailored for individual needs, celebrity workout videos and tons of health tips.
53. NCPAD. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability aims to provide fitness information for people with disabilities who are interested in being active. There are newsletters, factsheets and information about adaptable sports that can be played by anyone.
54. FitWatch. This site gives exercise data and helpful tips to help you lose weight and tone-up.
55. Yoga Today. Get your workout via Internet with these interactive yoga videos for beginner and intermediate students.
56. MapMyRun. Find a running path in your neighborhood, map out your runs and log your mileage everyday with this ultra-handy site.
57. Nurse Practitioner Schools. Get inspired about improving your health with this nursing blog advice site.
58. AceFitness. The American Council on Exercise has a variety of cool workouts and reliable information on exercising. Also, learn how to become an ACE-certified personal trainer and take your fitness goals to the next level.
59. ExRx. This beginner’s site is stocked with informative articles to get you excited and knowledgeable about exercising.
60. Gimme20. This online community site provides helpful videos and articles about muscle gain, weight loss and injuries and rehabilitation.

Health Tracking

You don’t need a personal trainer or the help of a medical professional to stay on track. Keeping up with your health is now easier than ever with the help of online and digital health tracking devices. These personalized charts, journals and diaries provide evidence (if you’re truthful) that can foster more health conscious efforts.

61. National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network. This Web site lists potential health issues that correlate with environment issues and people’s actions.
62. Your Health Journal. Keep a journal of your medications, important numbers and health history as a reference for you and your doctor.
63. Cancer Care. Keep medical paperwork, insurance and finances organized during your treatment with these helpful tips and shortcuts.
64. Diet Tracker. Track your meals, monitor your weight and time your exercises with these handy tools to help you achieve your health goals.
65. Health Trackers. Mood trackers, sleep trackers and water trackers are just a few of the many ways MedHelp can monitor your daily needs.
66. Blood Pressure Tracker. Stay up-to-date on your blood pressure levels with this convenient tracker that comes in a full size or wallet size chart.
67. RN to BSN Online Degrees. This blog highlights the health benefits of health tracking while also providing resources to help  you track your health.
68. Track Your Headaches. Keep a log of your headaches to determine a pattern and discuss possible treatments with your doctor.
69. Calorie Counter. Track your nutrient and calorie intake while calculating the amount of calories you burned during exercise.
70. Family Tracker. This food log, meal planner and exercise tracker can be used by the entire family.
71. CDC’s Diabetes. If you have diabetes, this site will help you keep up with your blood glucose and help you manage your condition at home, work, school and on vacation.
72. Track Allergies. A useful tool for tracking allergic reactions, medication and symptoms.
73. Habit Tracker. Although some bad habits won’t affect your health, others like smoking, drinking alcohol and not exercising can. This clever tracker lets you create positive and negative goals to curb your bad habits.

Relationships

We’re not talking about the relationship between you and the local medical professional, but about your day-to-day relationships. No one wants to turn 100 years old alone. Maintaining a healthy marriage and staying connected with your loved ones is important for your overall happiness and health.

74. Stay Hitched. This site is centered on premarital counseling and education and tips to a successful marriage based on these teachings.
75. National Healthy Marriage. This site provides advanced research and information about maintaining healthy marriages from leading marriage educators, experts and researchers.
76. Healthy Marriage Initiative. The Administration for Children and Families, in association with the USDHHS, has a healthy marriage initiative that provides premarital and marital education, government-sponsored research and specific concentrations on ethnic marriages.
77. Family & Marriage Counseling. Get marriage counseling articles and resources, as well as find a therapist in your city.
78. Go Ask Alice!. This health Q & A resource is a division of the Health Services at Columbia University and touches on topics from relationship boosters, friendship problems to long-distance and online relationships.
79. Relationship Advice. Every relationship is covered here — from parents and teenagers to husbands and friends. Oprah’s favorite doctors give advice and information to help you form lasting, meaningful relationships.
80. APA Family & Relationships. The American Psychological Association looks closely at family relationships with featured articles about stepfamilies, elder care and single parenting.
81. Friends and Friendship. This Web site is dedicated to friendships — where to find friends, how to maintain friendships and how to spot "toxic" friends.
82. RomanceStuck. For anyone who’s looking to shake things up. Get dating advice from relationship experts, check out romantic vacation getaways or search dinner recipes for two.
83. Relationship Advice. Get relationship advice and helpful tips from the relationship coach, Dr. John Grey.
84. Top Dating Tips. This single’s Web site breaks down all there is to know about dating.
85. Dating Sites Reviews. Before you find your soul mate online, check out the massive list of sites, which ones work best and read other’s testimonies of love.
86. Remarriage. Learn about life, dating and marriage after divorce.
87. Widow, Widower Dating. This site gives advice to those who’ve lost their spouse and are considering socializing, dating and marrying again.

Have a Sense of Humor

Laughter is the best medicine. Click through these sites to find your inner-kid, de-stress and laugh out loud.

88. Heavy. Watch home videos or surf channels dedicated to the ridiculous things people do.
89. CollegeHumor. Laugh at (or with) college kids on the silly and often down-right crude site.
90. The Onion. Get your daily dose of satire at The Onion, known as "America’s finest news source."
91. Funny or Die. This site lets the viewer decide if the comedic videos featuring celebrities and comedians are funny enough to stay alive online.
92. eBaum’s World. Find new jokes, listen to prank calls and browse through silly pictures.
93. KillSomeTime. Kill some time while watching videos, looking at cartoons or viewing outrageous pictures.
94. Comedy Central. Watch stand-up comedians, get the joke of the day and even try your hand at comedy with an open mic challenge.
95. The Soup. If you enjoy poking fun at celebrities and reality TV shows — this site’s for you.
96. Awkward Family Photos. Think your family takes awkward pictures? Think again, after you scroll through this hilarious blog dedicated to awkward family photos.
97. Laser Portraits. This site is full of laser-ific child portraits with the 80s written all over it. A must see!
98. My Parents Joined Facebook. Now that Facebook has opened its doors to moms, dads and grandmas alike, there’s no more hiding your status, pictures or wall posts. Check out this clever blog and see the funny things other people’s family members have posted on Fb.
99. Garfield Minus Garfield. See what a lonely, yet laughable, life is like for Jon Arbuckle without Garfield in this funny twist on the classic comic strip.
100. This is Why You’re Fat. After viewing this site filled with bizarre, artery-clogging meals, you may be more inclined to eat a salad or have that brownie and not feel guilty.