Since this is a largely women-oriented blog, I'm going to take a moment to highlight some women's health topics, and the website for the AAGL. AAGL is the acronym for the rather unwieldy American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Their aim is to promote minimally invasive techniques for gynecologic surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery techniques have been under development in a variety of fields for quite some time. Some doctors still prefer tried-and-true older methods, although minimally invasive techniques - which bring with them lower risks and faster healing - are becoming much more common. One example is cardiac surgery. I have a heart condition that, if it had required surgery to fix when I was younger, would have involved open-heart surgery and days to a week in the hospital. Now, it could be accomplished by "keyhole" surgery, where they make a slit between the ribs, or by a catheter through a major blood vessel.
Women's health is another area where these procedure are on the rise. The AAGL is dedicated to promoting these minimally invasive techniques until they become more commonplace than previous methods. There are two sides to the site. One is specifically for doctors, but the other one, aimed at consumers, provides a great deal of reliable health information for women. It includes a glossary of medical terms (which I know are helpful, since medical jargon is nonsense to many people), a physician finder for doctors who practice minimally invasive techniques, and patient education. Patient education topics include both conditions and treatment options, which help lay out the risks and benefits of a variety of methods.
If you or a loved one is facing a women's health condition, I encourage you to check out the AAGL site for more information to help you become a more informed patient.
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