The ASK FIRST Advice Lines contain a wealth of information at your fingertips. The main categories include:

• The Teen Health Line
• The Women's Health Line
• The Parent Advice Line
• The Senior Health Line

Aging - From a quiz determining your knowledge of cataracts to information on the benefits of elderly patients owning pets, the ASK FIRST line provides aging patients with information for improving their quality of life as they age.

Alcohol Problems - Providing risk factors, indicators and symptoms of alcohol abuse, the Health Advice Line addresses alcohol problems from alcoholism to teenage drinking.

Allergies - Addressing a common health problem, the Health Advice Line explains what an allergy is, how and why an allergy develops and how and where to seek treatment for problematic allergies.

Back and Neck - The Health Advice Line guides patients through self-care for back and neck pain and indicates when it is imperative to seek professional care for intense or persistent pain.

Blood and Circulatory - In the Blood and Circulatory section, ASK FIRST gives patients helpful and easy to understand explanations of conditions from phlebitis to thrombosis and instruction on how to care for problems such as low blood pressure.

Bones, Joints and Muscles - Whether you have broken a bone and must care for a plaster cast or are considering a joint replacement, ASK FIRST provides helpful information to patients of all ages with various bone, joint and muscle conditions.

Brain and Nervous System - From assisting patients in identifying brain and nervous system disorders to dealing with paralysis after injury, ASK FIRST gives patients clear, concise information for understanding brain and nervous system functions, complications and diseases.

Cancer - ASK FIRST's comprehensive list of topics regarding cancer addresses patients' concerns about what cancer is, how it develops, how it can be treated and what healthcare CMC-NorthEast provides for cancer patients.

Cardiovascular Health - One of the most detailed sections of ASK FIRST, the Cardiovascular Health line contains information regarding a critical health issue for many patients. The Health Advice Line explains the distinctions of various conditions and diagnosis, therapies and treatment of cardiovascular health problems.

Child Health and Development - This line helps parents identify what behaviors or symptoms may be signs of abnormal development and what behaviors or conditions may be healthy childhood behavior. ASK FIRST also gives parents advice for dealing with common childhood health issues such as teething and nightmares.

Common Illnesses - Though most patients may be familiar with common illnesses such as the cold or flu, ASK FIRST can inform patients about what symptoms indicate a need to seek professional healthcare or what precautions high-risk patients should take to avoid contracting common illnesses.

Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery - ASK FIRST provides compassionate advice and straightforward information for patients confronting psychological as well as physical health problems requiring or considering cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Dental - CMC-NorthEast's Advice Line provides suggestions for parents in choosing a dentist and supplemental information regarding dental health. From deciding what toothbrush to use to identifying signs of infection, patients can turn to ASK FIRST for preliminary information regarding dental health.

Diabetes - ASK FIRST encourages diabetic patients to choose a home monitoring plan that accommodates his/her health conditions and physical and mental abilities. Also, the Advice Line provides non-diabetic patients with information for helping diabetics and understanding the various forms of the disease.

Digestive System - ASK FIRST guides patients through the digestive system, informing them about common problems, treatments and preventions for digestive system problems from diarrhea to stomach ulcers.

Drug Abuse - Covering topics from drugs in the workplace and commonly abused prescription drugs, ASK FIRST provides assistance in identifying drug abuse and getting help for those abusing prescription or illegal drugs.

Ear, Nose and Throat - Gathering information regarding common causes, symptoms and treatment for ear, nose and throat problems, patients can use ASK FIRST to determine if seeking professional assistance is appropriate or if adequate treatment can be given from home for problems from ear infections to nosebleeds.

Eating Disorders - ASK FIRST provides information regarding often secretive disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. The Health Advice Line lists indications, causes, symptoms and treatment of anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders.

Exercise and Fitness - The Health Advice Line takes patients through a comprehensive list of topics regarding the importance of exercise and fitness to total health and well-being. Types of exercise, particular fitness concerns for high-risk patients and developing a personal fitness plan are all key components of ASK FIRST's Advice Line.

Eyes and Vision - ASK FIRST gives patients distinct descriptions of common eye problems and eye problems requiring special immediate attention. Also, patients can receive detailed information regarding eye diseases and vision problems such as glaucoma.

Family Planning - A private and personal topic, the Family Planning Line gives straightforward medical information about contraception, adoption and surgical options for birth control, among other relevant topics.

Foot Care - Identifying several causes for and symptoms of unhealthy foot conditions, ASK FIRST gives 10 essential tips for foot care in addition to supplementary information regarding proper foot care.

General Health - Topics in this section range from health confidence and speaking to your doctor to specific diseases and disorders such as multiple sclerosis and disfigurement.

Genetic Disorders and Birth Defects - Explaining the realities of several genetic disorders and birth defects, the Health Advice Line describes the causes, effects, developments of and care for each disorder and defect.

Headaches - ASK FIRST makes clear distinctions in various types of headaches, their causes and treatments for patients with symptoms of common and abnormal headaches alike.

Health Quizzes - The 20 true/false quizzes on the Health Advice Line are a unique way for patients to learn about a range of topics from HIV/AIDS to weight control through a series of questions and thorough answers.

Hearing - Addressing hearing loss in childhood, adulthood and under abnormal health conditions, ASK FIRST provides explanations for hearing loss, guidance for detecting hearing loss and tips for preventing future hearing loss.

HIV Infections/AIDS - According to the Health Advice Line, the spread of HIV/AIDS in America has slowed due to education and healthier choices on the part of patients. ASK FIRST is one tool that CMC-NorthEast provides its patients for further education about and prevention of contracting HIV Infections/AIDS.

Hormonal Disorders - By listening to information about hormonal disorders, patients learn about the causes and symptoms of hormonal disorders, as well as what treatment options are available through professional medical care.

Infectious Diseases - ASK FIRST provides detailed descriptions of nearly two dozen infectious diseases from hepatitis to scabies, preventative measures for guarding against disease and treatment options for those who have contracted an infectious disease.

Medications - ASK FIRST has a wealth of information regarding patient medication, including medication use, brand and generic names for each type of medication and possible interactions with other types of medication.

Men's Health - Male patients will find ASK FIRST to be helpful in addressing many concerns not commonly discussed in public or comfortably discussed with a physician. From prostrate problems to impotence, ASK FIRST addresses these concerns in a confidential, private manner.

Mental and Emotional Health - ASK FIRST allows patients an opportunity to investigate various mental and emotional health problems such as incest, depression and spouse abuse in a private, anonymous manner that respects the personal traumas that are often associated with mental and emotional problems.

Neurological Health - Addressing neurological health, ASK FIRST provides care and treatment options for those who have experienced injuries and those developing genetic diseases alike.

Newborn Care - ASK FIRST offers advice maintaining the physical, mental and emotional well-being of newborns, fathers, mothers and caretakers. From identifying the signs of jaundice to finding a 'Life with a Newborn' class, ASK FIRST advises parents and caretakers to learn about newborn care through experience and asking for help when necessary.

Nutrition - Before making a grocery run or ordering dinner out, patients can check the nutrition section of ASK FIRST for information regarding healthy eating, weight loss and maintenance and nutritional instructions for various types of special needs patients.

Parenting and Family Life - Advice for safe, successful and lowered stress parenting and tips for creating a safe, nurturing family environment are central to the parenting and family life section of the Health Advice Line.

Pregnancy and Childbirth - For hopeful, expectant and post-delivery parents, ASK FIRST offers comprehensive information regarding pregnancy and childbirth, from descriptions of fetal development to exercise for post-delivery mothers.

Preparing for Emergencies - Detailed information regarding emergency preparedness helps patients to be more prepared for emergencies. ASK FIRST offers suggestions on how to prepare for various emergencies such as rape, bioterrorism and tick bites.

Respiratory Problems - ASK FIRST explains the symptoms, complications, diagnosis of and treatment for various respiratory problems ranging from asthma to thoracentesis.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Diseases that affect millions of patients but show few symptoms can be dangerous when untreated, ASK FIRST educates patients about the risks, symptoms and treatments of sexually transmitted diseases.

Skin Health - As one third of all cancer is diagnosed as skin cancer, ASK FIRST provides extensive information for proper skin care and prevention of skin damage and cancer.

Smoking Health- ASK FIRST clearly advises patients to quit smoking for achievement of optimal respiratory, cardiovascular and general health. The Smoking Health Line provides helpful suggestions for patients who wish to quit smoking effectively.

Sports Medicine - ASK FIRST offers information on over 50 medical concerns for athletes and active patients of all types. Alternative and rehabilitating exercises are key to most of the Health Line's topical explanations.

Stress and How to Cope - For patients with high anxiety and stress, ASK FIRST offers relaxation techniques and preventative measures for coping with potential burn-out.

Surgery - The Surgery Health Advice Line offers patients comforting information about preparing for surgery, descriptions of surgery, the effects of anesthesia and tips for recuperation following surgery.

Symptoms - ASK FIRST's directory of symptoms allows patients to listen to descriptions of symptoms, possible causes for the symptoms and possibilities for diagnostic testing and treatment of the symptoms or the causes for them.

Teenage Concerns - An awkward and confusing time in development, the teenage years often raise questions which cause uncomfortable feelings when discussing personal topics with parents and doctors. While the ASK FIRST Health Lines should not replace discussion with healthcare professionals and parents, ASK FIRST can provide sound information for teenagers and parents of teenagers with personal questions regarding topics from sexuality to living with rules.

Tests and Examinations - With roughly three dozen entries, ASK FIRST gives patients the opportunity to learn about various tests and examinations before undergoing often unnerving, yet safe and necessary procedures.

Urinary and Genital Systems - ASK FIRST explains the functions of the major organs in the urinary and genital systems, what infections or complications can affect each of them and what treatment is available for each.

Weight Control - Maintaining a healthy weight is important to achieving overall well-being. ASK FIRST provides indications of unhealthy weight problems, information regarding weight management and suggestions for improving weight control through diet and exercise.

Women's Health - The Health Advice Line offers women a special section that addresses infections, problems and complications women commonly confront and are uncomfortable discussing. ASK FIRST offers a private source of information regarding women's health from the absence of periods to vaginitis.