Q. What is MedlinePlus and how do I use it to find consumer health information?

MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  It is an open access consumer health database.

When to Use MedlinePlus

Use it to learn about diseases, conditions, wellness topics, medical tests, drugs, and supplements from reliable sources in easy-to-read language. Look for links connecting content to relevant professional associations, clinical trials, and peer-reviewed medical articles.

Students can use MedlinePlus to learn more about medical topics without needing to understand complicated medical terminology. Health professionals can use it as a source of patient education information in multiple languages including Spanish and Chinese. It’s also a good starting point for learning the basics about a medical topic before further research in the biomedical literature.

MedlinePlus does not provide medical advice. Consult with a healthcare provider for medical advice.

• MedlinePlus Link
• Medline Plus Help