Your doctor. He or she may be your doctor at the clinic where you go for health care, your family doctor, or someone who has special training in caring for people with diabetes. A doctor with special training is called an "endocrinologist" or "diabetologist." Your doctor will decide what kind of medicine you need and how much to take. The doctor will tell you what your blood sugar range should be. Ask your doctor what the best range is for you. Your doctor will also check your weight and do tests to be sure that your blood sugar is staying in a good range and that your body is healthy. Your diabetes educator. A diabetes educator may be a nurse, a dietitian, or another kind of health care worker. Diabetes educators teach you about diet and meal plans, how to give yourself insulin shots, how to test your blood, and how to fit diabetes care into your everyday life. Don't be shy about talking with your doctor or diabetes educator about the information in this booklet. Ask them questions if you don't understand something. After all, it's your health! Your family and friends. Keeping your blood sugar at a good level is a daily job. You may need help or support from your family or friends. You may want to bring a family member or close friend with you when you visit your doctor or diabetes educator. Taking good care of your diabetes sometimes can be a family affair! A counselor or mental health worker. You might feel sad about having diabetes. You might get tired of taking care of yourself every day. Or you might be having special problems because of work, school, or family. If diabetes makes you feel sad or angry or you have other problems that make you feel bad, you can talk to someone who has special training in helping people with these feelings. This person is called a counselor or mental health worker. Your doctor or diabetes educator can help you find a counselor if you need one.

Top

Diabetes Teachers (nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and other health professionals).
To find a diabetes teacher near you, call or write the American Association of Diabetes Educators

American Association of Diabetes Educators
100 West Monroe Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
(800) 338-3633 or (312) 424-2426 (general information)
Toll-free at 1-800-TEAMUP4 (1-800-832-6874) for diabetic teacher locator line.
Home Page: www.aadenet.org

Recognized Diabetes Education Programs (teaching programs approved by the American Diabetes Association)

To find a program near you, call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or look at its Internet home page http://www.diabetes.org and click on "Diabetes Info."

Dietitians. To find a dietitian near you who can help you plan your meals, call or write:

The American Dietetic Association
216 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Telephone: (800) 366-1655
Internet home page http://www.eatright.org and click on "Find a Dietitian."

Top

Programs about diabetes. To find programs about diabetes or to talk to other people who have diabetes, call or write: American Diabetes Association 1701 North Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311 Telephone: (800) 232-3472 or (703) 549-1500 Home Page:http://www.diabetes.org Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International 120 Wall Street, 19th Floor New York, NY 10005 Telephone: (800) 223-1138 or (212) 785-9500 Home Page:http://www.jdfcure.org Both of these organizations have magazines and other information for people with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association has a magazine called Diabetes Forecast. The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International has a magazine called Countdown. Both organizations also have local groups in many places where you can meet other people who have diabetes. Look in your telephone book to see if a local group is listed in your area.

Top

Other places to get help

Other special services for people with diabetes are: International Diabetic Athletes Association 1931 E. Rovey Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85016 Telephone: (602) 433-2113 The Diabetic Traveler P.O. Box 8223 RW Stamford, CT 06905 Telephone: (203) 327-5832 Both of these places have newsletters and other information for people with diabetes who like to take part in sports and outdoor activities, or like to travel. Top Other magazines and newsletters for people with diabetes are: Diabetes Self-Management Published by: R.A. Rapaport Publishing Company P.O. Box 52890 Boulder, CO 80322 Telephone: 1-800-234-0923 Diabetes Interview Published by: Diabetes Interview 3715 Balboa Street San Francisco, CA 94121 Telephone: 1-800-473-4636 The Diabetic Reader Published by: Prana Publications and Paraphernalia 5623 Matilija Avenue Van Nuys, CA 91401 Telephone: 1-800-735-7726 Top The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse has more information about diabetes and places to get help with your diabetes. Call or write the clearinghouse at: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse 1 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3560 E-mail: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov Professional and Patient Education Publications Extensive list of publications available, many over the web, from NDIC (National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse) Taking care of your diabetes every day and working with your doctor can help you live a long and healthy life! Top Information for your doctor about this document Blood glucose values and other management guidelines cited in this document are based on recommendations from: American Association of Diabetes Educators American Diabetes Association Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Diabetes Translation Diabetes program at the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH). Recommendations for improving blood glucose control are based on the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), a 10-year clinical study of insulin-dependent diabetes sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH. The DCCT showed that volunteers who intensively managed their diabetes reduced their risk of eye disease by 76 percent, kidney disease by 50 percent, and nerve disease by 60 percent. Top Acknowledgments Doctors Corner acknowledges the NIDDK as the primary source for this publication. This webpage has been modified by Doctors Corner to enhance readability and provide additional information of importance to our readers. This material is not copyrighted and may be freely copied and distributed. Doctors Corner INternet Group, Inc. 1997-2004   Statement