FREE Medical Advice
| AIDS / HIV Prevention | |
| Houston Dept Health and Human Services HIV/AIDS Prevention 794-9092 AIDS Information Hotline 794-9020 Early Intervention Program 794-8123 HIV counseling and testing are provided at selected Health Centers. Education and public information about AIDS and HIV infection are provided through direct services and telephone hotlines. Other services include case management for HIV-infected women, children and/or families, and community outreach to injecting drug users. | |
AIDS Foundation Houston Call 623-6796 Provides information about the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. Also offers referral for testing and to support groups and other organizations. | |
Center for Disease Control AIDS Hotline (800) 342-AIDS 24 hours, every day (800) 243-7889 TDD Access (for deaf) 10AM to 10PM, weekdays except holidays Provides information about the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. Also offers referral for testing and to support groups and other organizations. | |
| Alcohol National Information and Referral | |
| Ad Care Hospital Worchester, MA (800) ALCOHOL 24 hours, every day Trained professionals answer questions on alcohol and drug abuse and give referrals to national organizations that provide access to support and self help groups and treatment facilities. | |
| Allergies/Asthma | |
| The Lung Line (800) 222-LUNG 10AM to 7PM weekdays, except holidays Nurses answer questions, send fact sheets about asthma, allergies, bronchitis and other breathing problems and give referrals to physicians and support groups. | |
Allergy and Asthma Network / Mothers of Asthmatics Call (800) 878-4403 for information | |
American Academy of Allergy & Immunology Call (800) 822-2762 for information | |
| Alzheimer's Association of Greater Houston 266-6400 Staff members answer questions about Alzheimer's symptoms, treatment, and research. Will send literature and give referrals to support groups, medical professionals, day-care and treatment programs. |
| American Cancer Society Houston Office Cancer Response System Call 266-2877 For information about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer |
| American Heart Association Telephone: 797-1812 or (800) AHA-USA-1 9AM to 5PM, all time zones weekdays For answers to heart disease questions and access to your local AHA chapter. |
| Anxiety & Phobia Care | |
| TERRAP Call 266-5111 Specialists in the treatment of anxiety, panic disorders, and phobias. Offers an alternative or augmentation to medication. Individual, group, or home study. | |
| Arthritis Foundation Information Line | |
| (800) 283-7800 9AM to 7PM, weekdays except holidays Information specialists answer questions, send literature, and give referrals to local chapters for physician referral, self-help and exercise groups. | |
| Breast Cancer | |
| Y-ME National Organization for Breast Cancer Information and Support (800) 221-2141 10AM to 6PM, weekdays except holidays Emergency call (708) 799-8228 24 hours, every day http://www.y-me.org Breast cancer survivors provide information, counseling and referrals to treatment centers and support and self-help groups. | |
| Children's Health | |
| American Academy of Pediatrics Dept. C, Box 927 Elk Grove Village, IL 60009 Telephone: (708) 228-5005 10AM to 6PM, weekdays except holidays Send a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope or call the AAP's public information department to request material on subjects like allergies, child development and choosing a pediatrician (specify topic). You can also get (by mail only) a list of pediatricians near you (specify specialty, if necessary). | |
| Diabetes | |
| American Diabetes Association Houston Office Call 977-7706 Call for information on diabetes prevention and treatment and a list of doctors, dieticians, support groups, and counselors. | |
| Digestive Disorders | |
| National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse Box NDDIC 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 469-6344 9AM to 5PM, weekdays except holidays Write or call for a fact sheet on ulcers and digestive conditions like intestinal gas, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, heartburn, and more (specify topic). Provides (on request) information on groups that give referrals to support groups and specialists. | |
| Eating Disorders | |
| National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Box 7 Highland Park, IL 60035 Telephone: (708) 831-3438 10AM to 6PM, weekdays except holidays Write or call for information on anorexia and bulimia and referrals to physicians and support groups. (If you write, specify the information that you want.) Crisis counseling is available by telephone. | |
| Eldercare Locator | |
| (800) 677-1116 9AM to 8PM weekdays except holidays Refers to groups familiar with home care, transportation and nutrition programs for the elderly. | |
| Epilepsy Association of Houston/Gulf Coast | |
| 2650 Fountainview, Suite 316 Houston, TX 77057 Call 789-6295 for more information or a brochure. An affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, serving southeast Texas. Offers information and referral services, support groups, short term counseling, community education, advocacy, professional education, research support, and discount medical program. The Parent Network offers educational materials for parents of newly diagnosed children. The Coelho Jobs Center helps individuals with epilepsy improve job searching skills and develop employer contacts. Recreation and Education programs are held periodically. | |
| Genetic Disease | |
| Alliance of Genetic Support Groups Telephone: (800) 336-GENE 9AM to 5PM, weekdays except holidays Social workers give information on genetic disorders, referrals to genetic counselors and disease groups. | |
| Headaches | |
| National Headache Foundation Telephone: (800) 843-2256 10AM to 6PM, weekdays except holidays For information about all types of headaches and their treatment and referrals to headache clinics and specialists. | |
| Hearing Impairment | |
| American Speech Language Hearing Association Telephone: (800) 638-8255 (TDD for deaf same number) 9:30AM to 4:30PM, weekdays except holidays Staff members answer questions, send information and give referrals to specialists and support groups. | |
| Heart Disease | |
| Arizona Heart Institute & Foundation's Hartline Telephone: (800) 345-HART 11AM to 8PM, weekdays except holidays Cardiovascular nurse-specialists answer questions and send information about heart disease and related conditions. | |
| Houston Area Parkinson Society 3935 Westheimer #301 Houston, TX 77027 Call 626-7114 for information Weekly support group and exercise therapy meetings around the Houston metropolitan area. For a complete listing of dates, times, and locations call HAPS central office at (713) 626-7114 weekdays. |
Parkinson's Disease Foundation Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center 710 West 168th Street New York, NY 10032 Call 1-800-457-6676. For information on Parkinson's Disease or the Parkinson's Unity Walk, or for a quarterly newsletter. |
| Infectious Disease | |
| Centers for Disease Control Voice Information System Telephone: (404) 332-4555, 24 hours Using a touch tone phone, you can access recorded messages about infectious diseases and/or request information by fax (there is no operator assistance at this number). | |
| Lupus Foundation of America | |
| Texas Gulf Coast Chapter 3730 Kirby Drive, Suite 720 Houston, Texas 77098-3927 Telephone: 713-529-0126 Fax 713-529-0780 Web site for national organization is www.lupus.org Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. In an autoimmune disorder such as Lupus, the body loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. Local chapter provides a free information packet, educational meetings with presentations by Lupus specialists, support groups for patients, bi-monthly newsletter, seminars, information/referral line, and Telephone Buddy Program. |
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| Medical Rehabilitation | |
| Medical Rehabilitation Education Foundation Telephone: (800) GET-REHAB or (800) 688-6167 (TDD for the hearing impaired) 8AM to 8PM EST, weekdays except holidays Obtain information on medical rehabilitation and a referral service for help in locating rehabilitation facilities throughout the country. | |
| Menopause | |
| National Institute on Aging Information Center Telephone: (800) 222-2225 8:30AM to 5PM, weekdays except holidays Sends information and refers to support groups and treatment centers | |
| National Cancer Institute | |
| Cancer Information Service Telephone: (800) 4-CANCER 9AM to 4:30PM, all time zones weekdays Offers information about all types of cancer and the latest trials of new therapies. | |
| National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics | |
| National Consumer Hotline Telephone: (800) 366-1655 10AM to 5PM EST, weekdays except holidays recorded messages available at other times Registered dietitians answer questions, send literature and give referrals to dietitians. | |
| National Mental Health Association | |
| Telephone: (800) 969-6642 24 hours, every day For brochures on stress, depression, schizophrenia and other mental health problems. Refer to mental health professionals and counseling groups. | |
| National Organization for Rare Disorders | |
| Telephone: (800) 999-NORD 9AM to 5PM, weekdays except holidays Sends reports on rare disorders and information about support groups and new research on certain conditions. | |
| Organ Transplants | |
| United Network for Organ Sharing Telephone: (800) 24-DONOR 8AM to 5PM, weekdays except holidays Offers information on donating or receiving organs and refers to transplant programs and support groups. | |
| Pain, Chronic | |
| National Chronic Pain Outreach Association 7979 Old Georgetown Rd; Suite 100 Bethesda, MD 20814 Write for information about any type of chronic pain (specify topic) and to request a list of support groups for those with pain caused by back injury, arthritis, etc. | |
| Sexually Transmitted Diseases | |
| Centers for Disease Control STD Hotline Telephone: (800) 227-8922 8AM to 11PM, weekdays except holidays Staff answers questions, sends literature and give referrals to support groups and medical professionals. | |
| Skin Problems | |
| American Academy of Dermatology Box 681069 Schamburg, IL 60168 Send an SASE to receive brochures on skin problems like acne, skin cancer, warts and hair loss (specify topic) and a list of dermatologists near you. | |
| Sleep Disorders | |
| National Sleep Foundation 122 S. Robertson Blvd., 3rd Floor, Dept. FC Los Angeles, CA 90048 Write for information about disorders like apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep walking (specify topic). Upon request, will also send you a list of sleep centers in your area. | |
| Smoking Cessation Information | |
| American Lung Association Telephone (800) LUNG-USA 9AM to 5PM, weekdays except holidays Answers questions and sends information on smoking and smoking cessation. | |
| Thyroid Disorders | |
| Thyroid Foundation of America, Inc. Telephone: (800) 832-8321 8AM to 4:30PM, weekdays except holidays Gives information and referrals to doctors and local Thyroid Foundation chapters. | |
| Weight Loss | |
| Take Off Pounds Sensibly Telephone: (800) 932-8677 9AM to 5:30PM, weekdays except holidays Callers are referred to a local chapter of this nonprofit support group of people trying to lose weight. First meeting is free. | |
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