If you've ever huddled in front of your computer screen at 2am, obsessing over a rare disease, the web's done well by your inner hypochondriac. But the web can also be good for solid, sensible health information. What's more, you can keep up with the latest studies, find out about drug side effects or get tips on how to stay healthy.

More than 35 per cent of Australians (most of them women) search for health info online, according to the latest Nielsen Panorama consumer research study. What's not clear, though, is how many find out whether the guidance is any more legit than the eighth "dynamic" of scientology. To untangle the web of online health resources, we asked medical experts for the most useful destinations in cyberspace.

When you're convinced you have Restless Legs Syndrome

MEDICINENET
Click it: medicinenet.com
Straightforward to navigate and easy to understand, MedicineNet is written by doctors in everyday language. The A to Z Index under the Symptoms and Signs tab has you covered from head to foot, with listings on everything from dandruff to numb toes and most of what lies in between. The site details hundreds of symptoms and their possible causes, giving you the ailments' common names as well as their medical names. So if you're in danger of being branded a hypochondriac, at least you'll sound like an educated one!
Cool tool: The illustrated symptom checker allows you to run your cursor over a picture of a naked female bod (there's one for the guys too) to pinpoint the source of your woes. Handy if you're lost for words to describe them.

Runner-up: MAYO CLINIC
Click it: mayoclinic.com/health/symptom-checker/DS00671
Mayo's Symptom Checker might not be as exhaustive as MedicineNet's, but what it lacks in breadth, it makes up for in depth. Much like your GP, the site takes you through a series of questions - including one about other associated symptoms - to arrive at an analysis of likely causes.

You can also take comfort in the knowledge that this site has a stellar reputation among medicos.

When you're knocked up

BIRTH AUSTRALIA
Click it: birth.com.au
This is the burger with the lot as far as pregnancy sites go. From articles on whether it's safe to have sex when you can't see your toes (no, orgasm won't trigger an early labour) to the telltale signs that there are two buns in the oven, you'll find the answers to all your pressing preggers questions here. And for anything you can't find, there's a discussion forum where you can air your quirky queries or debate the merits of natural pain relief. There are also pramloads of nifty guides and gadgets, including a fertility chart, due date calculator, birth plan worksheet and labour support tips.
Cool tool: Sign up to receive weekly email newsletters about what's going on inside your body as your bump grows.

Runner-up: SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Click it: health.sa.gov.au/pregnancy
You won't find any tricky gadgets here - just reliable, no-frills advice for every stage of your pregnancy. The Glossary of Terms will be a welcome relief if you're feeling bamboozled by the medical jargon associated with impending parenthood, while the snippets of motherly reassurance ensure you don't lose it when your bundle of joy emerges with a cone head in a ghoulish tinge of blue.


Best alternative to Google

HEALTHLINE
Click it: healthline.com
Sure, you can always do a random search, but your results for something like "vertigo" might include everything from a comic book publisher to a Hitchcock fan site. Designed specifically for health questions, Healthline tightens your search to highlight only the most credible links (a "trust mark" beside each result shows you if the site is doctor-reviewed or otherwise certified, accredited or ranked). Register for no charge and you'll also get access to journal and magazine articles.
Cool tool: The save pages feature lets you tag and organise info that your search turns up, and gives you a personal folder to store must-read articles in.

Runner-up: MEDSTORY
Click it: medstory.com
This medical search engine homes in on the most relevant web pages, without any ads masquerading as legitimate sites. Once you've started your search, just click on the icons to narrow down your results to one of five categories: web results, news and media sources, audio/video clips, information on clinical trials (research studies involving human volunteers), or scientific articles.To find any side effects buried in the fine print.


To find out about the scary side effects buried in the fine print

PDRHEALTH
Click it: pdrhealth.com/drugs/drugs-index.aspx
Whether you're looking for the lowdown on Zoloft or slippery elm, PDRhealth can help. As well as providing comprehensive information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, it also details herbal remedies and nutritional supplements. The jargon-free site, created by Thomson Healthcare, a leading US provider of pharmaceutical information, is updated daily. The only downer is that, being a US site, some drugs will have different brand names to what's available in Oz. Plug in the drug's active ingredient, which you'll find on the packaging.
Cool tool: The site's Interaction Checker lets you check your drug regimen for possible reactions with other drugs, food or booze.

Runner-up: MEDICINES.ORG.AU
Click it: medicines.org.au/az_index_of_cmi.cfm
With its extensive repertoire of up-to-date consumer information leaflets, Medicines.org.au is also useful if you're thinking about starting a new medication, but want to make sure you're in the know about potential adverse reactions.


Tracking latest health headlines

VIRTUAL MEDICAL CENTRE
Click it: virtualmedicalcentre.com/news.asp
Keep yourself in the loop with the latest local news on regularly-searched health topics like diabetes, cancer, mental health and allergies. All entries are expert-reviewed, thanks to the 1000-strong army of medical specialists who make up the editorial advisory board. The site is also a recognised information partner to Australia's Department of Health and Ageing's "Health Insite" initiative (healthinsite.gov.au). To make sure you never miss a beat, sign up to receive the fortnightly health newsletter by email. Or, if you're super-keen, sign up for regular RSS feeds.
Cool tool: Spice up your daily commute by catching up on all the latest medical news. Simply select the PDA option under Tools to reformat the site so you can view it on your BlackBerry.

Runner-up: MEDICAL NEWS TODAY
Click it: medicalnewstoday.com
Want to impress friends and colleagues with your worldly medical wisdom? Keep yourself informed on a global level: Medical News Today brings you worldwide health news on the hour from respectable sources like the Journal of the American Medical Association, the British Medical Journal and The Lancet. Sign up for daily alerts or weekly newsletters.