Yes -- I do mean WOW -- but in this case, it stands for Website of the Week.

Beginning today, and early each week, I plan to feature a website that you, an empowered patient, can use to improve your chances for getting the good healthcare you deserve.

Today's offering is Lab Tests Online, that's http://www.labtestsonline.org/ -- a great resource for finding out what those tests are the doctor has ordered from you, then interpreting them when the results come in.

Further, you can look at the names and descriptions of medical tests that are used for different diseases or conditions, and you can what kinds of screening tests can be used to diagnose various diseases or conditions.

Here is an example of how to use the site:

Say your doctor says she wants to run a CA-125.  You know there is a suspicion of ovarian cancer, but you have no idea what kind of test it is. What should you wear to the test?  Is it something that requires to you fast the night before?  What's a normal outcome?

Go to Lab Tests Online.  Look up the CA-125.  You'll learn that it's a simple blood test (yes, wear your jeans!) and it says nothing about restricting food prior to the test.  It then explains what outcomes you and your doctor should be looking for.  By reading the information and digesting it ahead of time, you'll be better prepared to discuss the possibilities and outcomes with your doctor.

Lab Tests Online is provided by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry and is HON Code compliant, providing two very important credentials for reliable Internet health information.

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Learn more or join the conversation!

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Logo © Lab Tests Online

Adrienne Dellwo, the About.com Guide to Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia has written a series of articles on groundbreaking research that has shown that a retrovirus called XMRV is likely the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, and possibly fibromyalgia, too.

This explanation comes as a huge relief to the many sufferers from these debilitating diseases -- because before now, those two diseases have been a set of symptoms without a cause.

And because there was no more known than that, many physicians would not even acknowledge them as diseases, meaning, they would not diagnose them.

So think about that -- you are suffering symptoms that have a major impact on your life - you can't function, even though you were a happy, thriving person before.  Yet, you go to a doctor who tells you that there is no diagnosis for you -- more like -- your problems, your symptoms, are all in your head.

There is never a better time for a patient to be empowered than during a time like this!  It's insulting to be told your symptoms aren't real.  And any physician who would tell you that isn't doing his or her job.  Even if your problem is in your head, at the very least you should be referred to a psychologist who can help you sort them out.

But my guess is that those times that a patient is truly suffering physical symptoms due to mental health issues are far fewer than those when the patient is truly suffering and just needs someone to help manage the symptoms even when he or she can't get a diagnosis.

If you have experienced a provider who is so dismissive, arm yourself with next steps:

• Understand the concept of failure to diagnose.
• Understand why you may be dismissed by "it's all in your head."
• Be sure to seek a second opinion.
• Take steps to pursue that diagnosis you need.

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Photo © Microsoft Image Gallery

I've posed this question before - about whether your doctor has a right to fire you.

I've written articles about doctors who blackball their patients, but most blackballing is based on the fact that a patient becomes so difficult that the doctor no longer wants to tolerate him or her.  It's called "denial of care." Some of you have even shared your stories about being denied care by your doctor.

However -- this question actually comes from a magazine that is subscribed to by physicians - not patients.  And the question the doctor posed was, Can I fire a patient who refuses to pay his bill?"

Turns out that most states have a specific process doctors must take to dismiss you as their patient, no matter what the reason.

But the reason I ask the question today is this:  Suppose you work hard all week and at the end of the week, your boss decides not to pay you.  Is that fair? That's the effect on a doctor when he or she doesn't get paid for appointments.  It's not fair.  And honestly, I find it sad that a doctor would even need the question about whether he or she can legally dismiss a patient who doesn't pay his or her bill.

Yes, there are reasons bills don't get paid -- I understand that.  Of course there are just as many people who can afford to pay them, but choose to use their money in some other way (not staples or shelter, but video games or cell phone bills perhaps)...  but it seems only fair that if we ask for service from a professional, we expect to pay for that service.

Although, of course, this problem is uniquely American.  In another country, we wouldn't even ask the question.

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Photo © Arvind Balaraman - Fotolia.com

OK -- FUN might be a bit of a stretch -- but I've been sent links to some videos with some great messages for helping kids understand why hygiene is important and to help parents understand how to protect their kids from flu.

Here's a run down and links to the videos, which run for only 30 seconds to 1+ minutes each:

•  DocRoc Music Video -- Dr. Mache Seible's 5 Steps to Avoid Swine Flu

•  This one is called Moon Landing (actually looks like a Halloween Costume!)

•  The Gambler is a message for parents, as regards their kids.  (Note -- be careful if you are allergic to peanuts!)

•  The least entertaining, but with an important message, Spring Lockdown makes its point, too.

It makes no difference whether you're talking about H1N1 swine flu, or seasonal flu.  Good hygiene, and keeping our children protected is paramount.  These videos may be mildly entertaining, but I hope you'll take their messages seriously.

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Screenshot from the Moon Landing Video © National Foundation for Infectious Diseases