Someone posed a great question to me the other day and it really got me thinking.  Not really so much about the question, but more about the flood of answers that popped up in my head.

The question was:

“What would make me log on sugar stats versus writing info on a paper log, which I don’t do”

While sometimes I tend to think the advantages of online tracking and sharing obvious, it is a reality that to some people, maybe even many, it isn’t.  There are hundreds of millions of diabetic people out there, many not tech savvy all and some who completely hate technology altogether. 

But even if it is obvious to some, it is a great question with a variety of answers. A few of which stick out for me personally:

• Data Aggregation, Trends and Graphs – You can write entries in a log book, but the log book isn’t going to take that data and create useful statistics, trends and graphs out of it.

• A Variety of Input Methods – Other than a pen or pencil that is.  Inputting sugar readings or medication Via Web, Email, Twitter etc, depending on what you use daily, could turn out to be quite convenient for you.

• Sharing. Virtual Viewing, Anywhere – You can only show a logbook to those you bring it to.  Having it online lets you share it, privately or publicly, to whomever you want to anywhere in the world.  The days of needing the schedule a doctors visit which ends up being 10min long as he briefly glances of your likely incomplete log book.  This brings in a new level of flexibility and collaboration with your health-care providers and physicians.

• Social Support – Similar to the point above, having the social support around your progress is a huge factoring in your diabetic health.  With new online resources come out, sites like TuDiabetes.com where people can congregate, share experiences and get motivation to take control and keep it. Plus we’re in the process of adding even more features

• Conscious Awareness – To me, this is one of the main reasons.  Really, you can’t fully know your status or progress unless you’re tracking various bits of info over time. Having to keep these bits of info in mind, daily, brings it to your attention.  Ever heard of “Out of sight, out of mind?”, well that can apply to your diabetes health too.

    Keeping it in mind helps you “keep things” in mind, you tend to make better decisions (About food, things you do etc). Being conscious about it helps you be aware of the things you do daily that affect your diabetes.  Granted this can also happen with writing down your stats in a log book, though having a online solution might fit better into your daily lifestyle.
  

Those are a few of the prominent thoughts I had. Though when it comes down to it, it is really about finding the tools and solutions that work and fit best FOR YOU.  We could really implement every feature under the sun (Trust me, we won’t) but if it doesn’t fit in your particular lifestyle or is something you don’t like using then none of that matters.

In the end what we’re trying to do is creating new and creative tools that people can use daily to improve and monitor their diabetes that fit in this modern age era which we live. All in all I have to say it is great to see so many advancements on so many fronts happening. It is exciting to see things evolve, for the industry and individuals alike.

I had the great opportunity a few weeks ago to talk with and be interviewed by Charlie Cherry of the DiabetesPowerShow.com Podcast, in my opinion one of the best online diabetes podcast out there.

Today they released the interview in their latest show, episode 34, in which they discuss some of the latest and best online resources for diabetes and diabetes management.

Chris, Chris and Theresa do an excellent job also of showcasing some other amazing resources, tools and websites out there that every diabetic can benefit from. They also chat about our favorite diabetes social networking site TuDiabetes.com

You can find and subscribe to the show here:
http://diabetespowershow.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=271503

Or download it directly here:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/diabetespowershow/34_34_On-Line_Resources.mp3

What a great bunch, I have to thank Charlie for having me on and Chris, Chris and Theresa for producing such a great show all the time. I can’t wait to be on the show and meet them all when I’m in Vegas.

Diabetic? Have an iPod? If you aren’t already subscribed then run, not walk, and subscribe to the biggest, best and most informative Diabetes podcast online. www.diabetespowershow.com

SafeSittings.com is an interesting site that aims to make the search for diabetes babysitters easier nationwide.  On the site teens with diabetes can find matches in their area for parents with diabetic children.

The service was founded by Kimberly Ross and since being covered in the Wall Street Journal has grown to get major interest nationwide for people in this niche, both families and sitters alike.

The site acts as a bulletin board system where families and sitters can pair up to make a match. Sitters can post their profiles and skills/experience while families and parents can put out ads to find an available babysitter in their area.

From the website:

“SAFESITTINGS is a nationwide website that makes available teens with Type 1 diabetes as babysitters for children with diabetes. These teens have been managing their own care for many years. They understand the dangerous highs ands lows inherent in the disease and have the skills to test blood sugars, give insulin injections, adjust insulin pumps and treat hypoglycemia.”

If this is something you’re interested in then check them out at www.safesittings.com.
You can also find their FAQ at: http://www.safesittings.com/faq.php

Tags: DiabetesBabysitters, Diabetic Babysitting, SafeSittings.com, Diabetes Babysitting Service

Bernard of BernardFarrell.com was able to produce a very nice and informative video demo of a Animas 2020 Insulin Pump he was able to get a hold of.

He goes through various settings and hows how the pump even comes with its own food and carb database built in to help with Bolus calculations before meals.

For all you deciding on which pump to get or to get a pump at all take a look:

Here you can find his full review of the Animas 2020 Insulin Pump

Tags: Animas2020, Animas 2020 Insulin Pump, Animas 2020 Review, Insulin Pump Review, Basal, Carb Counting

Not surprisingly, “rates of obesity and diabetes are rising across England, although people are living longer than ever,” according to a recent study issued by the English government.

England follows the same trend as most developed countries around the world these days, making diabetes research, education and treatment a global priority.

Read more about the study in the BBC web site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7056293.stm

If you have diabetes and live in the UK, make sure to join TuDiabetes.com, a social network for people touched by diabetes. There is a growing number of diabetics from the UK among the members.

A cool little project has popped up called Diabetes365. Originally started by Beth of insearchofbalance.wordpress.com, other diabetes bloggers like Bernard of www.bernardfarrell.com have joined in too.

What is Diabetes365? In Bernards words:

“Diabetes365 is an idea that I got from Beth of insearchofbalance. She started her Diabetes365 photo project a few days ago and I couldn’t think of a better way to inform people of what it’s like to live with diabetes 365 days a year.

The idea behind this Diabetes365 project is that I’ll take one picture every day of the year. I’ll post it to the flickr Diabetes365 pool and blog about it briefly.

Would you like to take part in Diabetes365? You can join the flickr pool provided that you post a picture there each day (or wait a few days and post several pictures, one per day). Each picture must be tagged with diabetes365 and titled with the date taken and which day of your year of photos it is. If you’d like to blog your photos, feel free to do that also.”

Are you part of flickr and want to find out more? Go to the Diabetes365 Project Flickr Group or check out his first post.