Best Diabetes Resources

For those with diabetes its an emotional journey.

You are diagnosed, meet with a number of health professionals, then given a number of often overwhelming information and left to get on with it.

If you are like me, you will then be booked in for a number of infrequent ongoing medical appointments to discuss your progress. These appointments will often mean long wait in hospital or doctors surgery waiting rooms, where you will be finally met by a Doctor,

The Doctor will then quickly walk through a range of typical health checks

- review your blood pressure and weight

- review your pathology blood test results

- review your blood glucose levels and recommend improvements

This process will repeated over and over for many years to come.

But what if you want more?

Where do you turn to for further information to help your diabetes management on an ongoing basis without the large waits and constant criticisms?

One disclaimer and something to always keep in mind, make sure you use the information you gather from all of the resources with some consideration and discretion. There are many people who offer a lot of advice and often without any medical qualifications. It shouldn't be a substitute for real medical advice and if you are contemplating trialling some of the ideas gathered make sure you run the scenario past your health professionals

Contact your local Diabetes Association

Every Diabetes association have resources to support all types of diabetes. They often run information sessions or support groups to help you initially adjust to your diabetes and then manage your diabetes ongoing through the various facets of your life. For associations in your local area search for "Diabetes Association" but some of the best are listed in the link area.

Diabetes Books

There are a number of books that I have used personally to aid my knowledge - my two favorites are Think Like a Pancreas and Pumping Insulin. Both of these books give pragmatic advice on how to manage diabetes in the actual real world. Pumping Insulin in particular was my sanity when first trying to to adjust to an insulin pump

Diabetes Online Community

The Diabetes Online Community (or @DOC) is one of the most increasing social and online media communities. Whether its Facebook or Twitter, HubPages, Diabetes related forums or PWD (Person with Diabetes) blogs, all of these information sources provide amazing emotional support to the diabetes community.

You can choose to be a reader and/or participator depending on where you feel comfortable. I like to use these communities to ask questions, compare scenarios and sometimes just have someone who can listen to you whinge about your latest blood sugar balancing act or bad hypo.

Have I forgotten any of your favorites?

If so, please add a comment below. After all its all about information..