Staying Current with Diabetes
| Author: Judy Kohn, RN, BSN, CDE |
| Last Updated: Monday, January 23, 2006 |
Q: "How can I keep up with all the information and research going on in diabetes?"
A: Handling the challenges of diabetes is naturally easier when you have both the information and the support you need. Always remember that your first and most important resource is your diabetes team--your doctor, diabetes educator, dietitian, and other medical professionals involved in your care.
As you know, probably more than any other condition, diabetes involves learning extensive self-management skills: understanding the condition, knowing when to test your glucose, what to eat, how often to exercise, when to take your medication, how to recognize symptoms of low or high glucose--the list goes on. The goal is to help you understand diabetes and your body's individual response, so that you can perform multiple self-care behaviors and make informed decisions about your daily diabetes care.
This means you have a responsibility to learn all you can, set realistic personal goals, communicate your needs to your diabetes team, and keep up with the ever-changing world of diabetes. One way to do this is by using the internet in an educated and responsible way.
Browser Beware
As the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse states, you may find a mix of both reputable resources and questionable ones--making unfounded claims or selling products of dubious benefit on the internet. So as you're surfing the web with the resources we have provided, always remember to check in with your diabetes team and confirm your information with them.
Note that many web resources also offer monthly subscriptions to print magazines and/or weekly e-newsletters. Hopefully the resources listed below, along with diabetes education updates and regular visits with your diabetes team, will provide you with the tools and strategies to maintain a healthy and active life. Happy Surfing!
Related Links
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
http://www.diabetes.org
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
http://www.jdrf.org
Children with Diabetes
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)
http://ndep.nih.gov
University California San Francisco (UCSF)
http://www.diabetes.ucsf.edu
Diabetes Health
http://www.diabeteshealth.com
University of Miami Diabetes Research Institute
http://www.drinet.org
The Diabetes Mall
http://www.diabetesnet.com
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
http://www.niddk.nih.gov
Insulin Pumpers
http://www.insulin-pumpers.org
MyDiabetes part of the MyHealthyLife Network
http://www.mydiabetes.com
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.familydoctor.org
MEDLINEplus
http://medlineplus.gov
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
http://www.mayoclinic.com
Healthfinder® by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.healthfinder.gov
New York Online Access to Health
http://www.noah-health.org
KidsHealth by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health
http://www.kidshealth.org
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov
HIV InSite (A project of the UCSF Center for HIV Information)
http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu
American Association for Clinical Chemistry
http://www.labtestsonline.org
Diseases Explained (Lexi-Comp Inc.)
http://www.diseases-explained.com
PersonalMD
http://www.personalmd.com
WebMD Inc.
http://www.webmd.com
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
All tradenames and trademarks not owned by Abbott Laboratories are the property of their respective owners. For details on tradenames and trademarks and their respective owners, visit the non-Abbott trademarks listing.
