Resources for People with Diabetes
There are many excellent sources of information about diabetes. Use this list of resources to help you manage your diabetes.
Canada
Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA)
Start here! The Canadian Diabetes Association is a major supporter of diabetes research, education and advocacy in Canada. The CDA Web site provides a comprehensive online resource for people with, and affected by, diabetes.
Toll-free in B.C.: 1 800 268-4656
Greater Vancouver: 604 732-4536
Monday - Thursday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Health Canada - Adult Health Interactive - Diabetes
Health Canada has a featured site on Diabetes - a valuable resource for both patients and health professionals.
Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit (EDU), Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia
The Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit at the B.C.'s Children's Hospital, part of Children's and Women's Health Centre of B.C., is located in Vancouver. It serves as a diagnostic, treatment and education centre for children and families affected by diabetes. This Web site includes many excellent resources for children and adults with diabetes.
- EDU Patient Handouts
40 different patient handouts covering a wide variety of topics including nutrition, food choices, insulin information, hypoglycemia, metformin, safe disposal of needles and other sharps, and vaccinations for children with diabetes.
- EDU Interesting Diabetes Links for Patients & Families
Provides an extensive list of resources:
- International Diabetes Associations & Foundations
- Sites Specifically for Children with Diabetes & Their Families
- School and Daycare Related Sites
- Government/University/Internet Information Sites
- Sites from other Diabetes Centres
- Sites from Individuals
- Nutrition-Related Sites
- Fast Food Nutritional Information
- Celiac Disease Sites
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Pharmaceutical Industry/Other Commercial Sites
- Insulin Pump-Related Sites
British Columbia Diabetes Care Guideline (PDF 307Kb)
Developed by the B.C. Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee and approved by the B.C. Medical Association and Medical Services Commission. This guideline summarizes the chronic disease management approach to diabetes care in B.C. and includes the Diabetes Patient Care Flow Sheet. See also the accompanying patient information sheet Resources for People with Diabetes: A Guide for Patients (PDF 84Kb).
2003 Canadian Diabetes Association Guidelines
Detailed clinical practice guidelines for physicians developed by the Canadian Diabetes Association. These are the current standards of care for diabetes in Canada.
Health Canada - Diabetes
Provides basic information on status of diabetes in Canada, resources and programs.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada
This foundation is the largest non-profit, non-governmental funder of diabetes research in Canada. It is an affiliate of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, a non-profit organization for concerned parents of children with diabetes.
National Aboriginal Diabetes Association
Addresses diabetes among Aboriginal Peoples by creating networks and opportunities for individuals, families and communities within their beliefs, traditions and values.
United States
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NIDC)
The diabetes section of the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases contains easy-to-read publications for people with diabetes.
National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)
Partnership of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than 200 public and private organizations. Extensive resources for patients with diabetes.
Joslin Diabetes Center
Associated with Harvard Medical School, dedicated to research, education and treatment of diabetes. Joslin's Online Diabetes Library contains general diabetes FAQ's (frequently asked questions), information on monitoring diabetes, insulin, oral medications, nutrition and exercise, and complications of diabetes.
InteliHealth
This commercial site from the U.S. features consumer health information from Harvard Medical School. It includes basic information, tools such as interactive diaries, access to medical literature, recipes and other resources.
LifeClinic
This commercial site from the U.S. provides tips and tools for managing chronic conditions. Weekly newsletter provides latest information on diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension or high blood pressure, and nutrition and fitness.
Children with Diabetes
A U.S. site that provides an online community for kids, families and adults with diabetes.
Diabetes Diaries
Many patients use a diary or logbook to help them keep track of blood glucose levels, weight, medication times, food, exercise and other factors that affect blood glucose levels. This allows you to see how your glucose levels change during the day and how they are affected by your diet, medication and exercise. This type of record can be useful to both you and your doctor. Before starting to keep a diary, you should talk to your family doctor about your targets for blood glucose, weight, and exercise.
Your family doctor or your local Diabetes Education Centre may provide a diary. Diabetes diaries are also available online, and many are free. Some companies that make glucometers also provide diaries and/or computer software programs that allow blood sugar test results to be compiled and analyzed on your home computer. You can also create your own diary.
Online diary:
http://www.buildingbetterhealth.com/topic/diabetesdiary
Diet and Nutrition
Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA): Nutrition
The Nutrition section of the CDA Web site contains many excellent resources to help you develop a basic understanding of concepts such as carbohydrate counting, reading food labels, and artificial sweeteners. Topics covered include:
- A Guide to Eating Out
- Caffeine and Your Blood Sugar
- Carbohydrate Counting
- Children, Diabetes & Special Occasions
- Food Choice Values - FAQ
- Food Choice Values and Symbols
- Glycemic Index - The Index in Depth
- Go for the Goodness: Recipes for Healthy Living
- Labelling Issues
- Nutrition in the New Millennium
- Sweeteners
- The Benefits of Eating Fibre
- The Fats in Your Diet
Dial-a-Dietitian
The Dial-A-Dietitian Web site includes a list of diabetes resources. This is an excellent source of information about diet. You can also call the Free Nutrition Infoline provided by Dial-a-Dietitian:
Toll-free in B.C.: 1 800 667-3438
Greater Vancouver: 604 732-9191
BC HealthFile #70 - Diabetes: Getting Started
This B.C. Ministry of Health Services publication offers information on eating healthily to help control diabetes.
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)
This site includes a series of easy to read booklets that can be downloaded, including What I need to know about Eating and Diabetes.
Joslin Diabetes Center Online Diabetes Library
In the Nutrition section, you will find a list of recommended cookbooks and nutrition resources and a series of articles about nutrition for people with diabetes.
Foot Care
When you have Diabetes - 10 steps to Healthy Feet
Patient information sheet from the American Association of Family Physicians. Recommended by B.C. Diabetes Care Working Group.
Complications: Footcare & The Trouble with Ulcers
Patient information from the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Why is foot care important to people with diabetes?
Important and easy-to-read information on foot care from a commercial site from the U.S.
Healthy Lifestyle
For information on exercise and stopping smoking, see General Resources.
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Last Revised:
February 15, 2007
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