Diabetes Classroom
by Robert S. Benchley
Tips and resources for living with diabetes
The more you learn about diabetes, the better equipped you’ll be to take control of it, rather than letting it control you. According to the American Association of Diabetes Educators, asking questions is a good way to learn more about diabetes management. You can talk to your doctor, read books from your local library, or do research online and learn at your own pace. Check out the resources listed here, or visit your local diabetes support group at its next meeting.
Back to Basics
Here is a list of basic questions to get you started. Some of the answers are dealt with, in part, in articles in this issue of HealthMatters. As you begin your research, you’ll undoubtedly come up with questions of your own.
- What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and which do I have?
- How do I "eat right" with diabetes?
- How and when am I supposed to take my medication?
- Why (and how) should I check my blood sugar?
- What should I do if my blood sugar reading is unusually high?
- What do I do if my blood sugar drops too low?
- What is my hemoglobin A1c and how can I improve it?
Helpful Resources
American Diabetes Association
1701 N. Beauregard St.
Alexandria, VA 22311
1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)
http://www.diabetes.org
American Heart Association
National Center
7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231
1-800-AHA-USA-1 (1-800-242-8721)
http://www.americanheart.org
American Stroke Association
National Center
7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231
1-888-4-STROKE (1-888-478-7653)
http://www.strokeassociation.org
National Cholesterol Education Program
NHLBI Information Center
P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD
20824-0105
1-301-592-8573
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
National Health Information Center
P.O. Box 1133,Washington, DC 20013-1133
1-800-336-4797
http://www.health.gov/nhic
National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892
1-301-496-4000
http://health.nih.gov
National Institute on Aging
Building 31, Room 5C27
31 Center Drive, MSC 2292
Bethesda, MD 20892
1-800-222-2225
http://www.nia.nih.gov