T he doll company that is helping children with type 1 diabetes cope a little better is American Girl ( http://play.www.americangirl.com/play ), which has introduced a diabetes-care kit for dolls. The kit has ten make-believe items, including a blood-sugar monitor, lancing device, a vial of pretend glucose tablets, a medical bracelet, an ID card, logbook and stickers, a carrying case, and even an insulin pump that can be clipped to a doll’s waistband with an adhesive to attach the infusion set. For dolls not using a pump, an insulin-injection pen needle is also supplied.
This was not just a company ploy. A young girl who had type 1 diabetes started an online petition asking American Girl to make the accessories for dolls. After she had gathered around 7,000 signatures, the company came out with the diabetes kit. Although some people still remain skeptical of the idea, it has helped more than hindered. And it is definitely a way for young people with diabetes to educate more people, young and adult, on the trials and challenges of having the disease.
What is the Diabetes Research Connection?
The Diabetes Research Connection (DRC) is a way of connecting young researchers with donors in order to fund research on the prevention and cure of type 1 diabetes.
The DRC was established in 2012 by five people interested in type 1 diabetes, three are scientists with concentrations in diabetes and two are non-scientists who have had type 1 diabetes for years, so all of them have a more personal interest in the disease.
As of this writing, the DRC grants up to $50,000 a year for each research project.
The website is at https://diabetesresearchconnection.org/ .
What was the Diabetes Prevention Program, or DPP?
The DPP, or Diabetes Prevention Program, was a large, multiorganizational research study funded by the U.S. government’s National Institutes of Health (the results were reported in 2002). The study showed that making healthful lifestyle changes could reduce the risk for developing (or slowing down for some with more of a predisposition to) mainly type 2 diabetes.
What is the Blue Circle Test?
In order to better understand a person’s risk for developing diabetes, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) developed the Blue Circle Test ( http://www.idf.org/worlddiabetesday/bluecircletest ).
Users click on the small circles surrounding a central question mark and choose the appropriate response in describing their status.
Once the information is submitted, a report is generated indicating an individual’s risk for developing diabetes.
The blue circle is considered (by the IDF, which owns the rights to the blue circle for diabetes) to be the universal symbol for diabetes.
The IDF chose the circle as it frequently occurs in nature and has been used by various cultures for centuries with a positive connotation and significance.
The color blue represents the color of the sky and the flag of the United Nations.
The icon was developed in response to the passage of United Nations Resolution 61/225 on December 20, 2006, “World Diabetes Day.” This resolution was in response to what researchers have deemed a “diabetes epidemic” that they believe will eventually overwhelm health care resources all over the world.
DIABETES EDUCATION ON THE INTERNET
What is the Living Textbook of Diabetes ?
The Living Textbook of Diabetes is truly a textbook of diabetes, presenting some of the basics as well as further details about diabetes. It presents itself as an “open-access, peer-reviewed, unbiased, and up-to-date knowledge base.” It is written in an easy-to-follow format. The user can either join the site or register as a guest. It can be found at http://www.diapedia.org/ .
Do any online magazines (e-zines) feature information about diabetes?
Yes, several online magazines feature diabetes, and many of them are associated with print magazines. The following lists some of the more well-known e-zines:
http://diabeticlivingonline.com/ , This site, called Diabetic Living, is affiliated with Diabetic Living Magazine published by Meredith Corporation. It offers the same information as the print magazine but with more up-to-date news and information for people with diabetes.
http://www.diabeticlifestyle.com/ , Diabetic Lifestyle is an e-zine that offers information to people with diabetes, including the basics of diabetes, daily living with diabetes, and recipes.
http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/ , Diabetes Monitor is an e-zine that offers a good cross-section of information about diabetes, including downloadable guides to diabetes and up-to-date news about research in the field.
http://diabetesdigest.com/ , Diabetes Digest, from OmnichannelHealth Media, offers basic information about diabetes, along with recipes, free offers, and discounts for people who have diabetes.
https://www.diabeteshealth.com/ , Diabetes Health is an e-zine that offers resources and information to those who have just been diagnosed and those who have had diabetes for years.
What websites concentrate on how genes affect a person with diabetes?
Because there often seems to be some genetic component to a person’s developing diabetes, several websites educate the public about genes and diabetes.
• Diabetes Genes provides information for patients and professionals on research and clinical care in genetic types of diabetes, their website is at http://diabetesgenes.org . (For more about genes and diabetes, such as MODY, monogenic diabetes, and neonatal diabetes, see the chapter “Types of Diabetes.”)
• Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center, PO Box 8126, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126, phone: (301) 251-4925, toll-free: (888) 205-2311, website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/ .
What are some websites that help a person with diabetes plan for an emergency?
Many websites offer emergency plans for people with diabetes. The following lists some of the more well-known ones:
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s site on emergency preparedness for people with diabetes is at www.cdc.gov/diabetes/living/preparedness.html .
• The American Diabetes Association lists some tips for dealing with an emergency for people with diabetes at www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-andcare/medication/tips-for-emergency-preparedness.html .
• For information on how to store insulin during an emergency, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a site called “insulin storage and switching between products in an emergency” at www.fda.gov/Drugs/EmergencyPreparedness/ucm085213.htm .
What are some websites that offer dietary information to people with diabetes?
Many websites offer dietary help for people who have diabetes. The following lists some of the more well-known ones:
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has a great site to help people with diabetes eat more healthfully by breaking the topic down into guidelines on what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat. It can be found at https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/diabetes-diet-eating .
• The Joslin Diabetes Center offers information about carbohydrate counting, a method often used by people with diabetes to keep track of eating and their blood glucose levels. The center also offers its own Diabetes Food Pyramid, similar to the old USDA food pyramid, which categorizes food according to carbohydrate content. It can be found at http://www.joslin.org/info/know_your_food_groups_with_diabetes.html .
• There are e-zines for people with diabetes who want to cook more healthfully. These include Diabetic Gourmet Magazine, which was started in 1995 and is now sponsored by CAPCO Marketing, New York. It can be found at http://diabeticgourmet.com/ .
• The American Diabetes Association also offers information about eating for people with diabetes, including recipes and meal planners, found at http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food .
• The Mayo Clinic also offers a plan for eating, including basic information about recommended foods for people with diabetes. It can be found at http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-diet/art-20044295 .
• Medline Plus, a website from the National Institutes of Health, offers information about diabetes, diet, and nutrition at https://medlineplus.gov/diabeticdiet.html .
• Among other offerings, the Diabetes Teaching Center in San Francisco has a good educational site, including information about diet, nutrition, and food exchanges, at https://dtc.ucsf.edu/ .
Are there websites that help a person with diabetes exercise?
Yes, several websites include information about how people with diabetes can best exercise. The following are some of the more well-known ones:
• The Joslin Diabetes Center offers information about how a person with diabetes can remain physically active, including articles with tips about exercise and even videos. It can be found at http://www.joslin.org/info/diabetes-and-exercise.html .
• The American Diabetes Association has a great website highlighting keeping physically active if a person has diabetes, including types of activities and how to stay safe and healthy while exercising. It can be found at http://www.diabetes.org/food-andfitness/fitness/ .
• For understanding how to cope with excessive heat and humidity when a person with diabetes is outdoor exercising (heat can raise blood sugar levels and leave a person dehydrated), see the National Weather Service’s heat safety page at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/heat/ .
What websites help people with diabetes keep track of their daily blood glucose levels?
Several websites can help with tracking daily blood glucose levels. The following lists only a few (for more about keeping track of glucose, see the apps section of this chapter):
Are any websites associated with television programs?
Y es, there are some websites for people with diabetes that are associated with television programs. For example, dLife, run by LifeMed Media, Inc., includes not only information about diabetes, diabetes apps, and recipes but also dLifeTV, the only web series dedicated to people with diabetes (it airs Sundays on dLifeTV.com , as of this writing, 7 P.M. Eastern Time, 4 P.M. Pacific Time). It can be found at http://www.dlife.com/ .
Sugar Stats , This free website helps keep track of blood sugar levels at www.SugarStats.com .
MyNetDiary Diabetes Tracker , This is a pay-for website, but it does help a person with diabetes keep track of blood glucose levels through a computer or an app (see below for more apps). It can be found at http://www.mynetdiary.com/diabetes.html .
What websites can help keep track of medications, diabetic or otherwise?
Several websites, many of them free, can help keep track of a person’s medications, diabetic or otherwise. The following lists only a few:
MedCoach , This free website can be used to track blood glucose readings and other medications, found at www.medcoach.com .
MedSimple , This is also a free website that offers medication tracking, including blood glucose readings and diabetic medicines, found at www.medsimpleapp.com .
My Medicine Tracker , Another free website that can be used to keep track of diabetic medicines or other medications, found at www.mediguard.org .
What are some websites that offer free diabetes risk assessment online?
Numerous websites offer free diabetes risk assessment online to “predict” the chances of a person’s developing diabetes. (Note: Although these sites are interesting to try, they are based on statistical data on other people with diabetes; if a person suspects he or she may have diabetes, then it is best to be tested by a health care professional.)