May 25, 2010

Top Seven Diabetes Blogs/Social Networking Sites

Today people with diabetes have many more ways than ever of staying linked up on diabetes blogs and social networking sites. Check out my picks for the seven best sites. They're way more than blogs – they’re portals to online diabetes communities. You’ll find the latest research findings, stay abreast of the newest diabetes devices and technology advances or approvals of new medications. And beyond staying on the cusp of what’s happening in diabetes care, these social networking venues connect you with others with diabetes to help you get the support you need and give the support you've got to offer….all at your fingertips online.

diabetesmine website
Blog: Diabetes Mine
Author: Amy Tenderich
Features: A person with type 1 diabetes developed in adulthood who holds nothing back. Amy is on top of, and often times in front of, diabetes research news and device advances with a slant to managing type 1 diabetes. She’s honest and doesn’t pull punches. She tells it like it is with a sense of humor and injection of her fun personality. Tenderich often invites or interweaves the expertise of others with diabetes or diabetes health care professionals via guest blogs or interviews. Search under warshaw and you’ll find a few guest blogs I’ve written, my favorite is: From Wild Ass Guess to Educated Guesstimates - Practical Pointers to Improve Your Carb Counts.
Blog: Diabetes Daily
Authors: David and Elizabeth Edelman gave birth to and now coddle the site with many contributing bloggers.
Features: At Diabetes Daily, you’ll find a vast community of people with both type 1 and 2 diabetes sharing information, news, tips, menu ideas, and tools for daily management. Topics range from the basic what is diabetes to diabetes treatments, managing pregnancy complicated by diabetes, traveling and way more. Forum discussions extend to include opinions and reviews. You’ll also find personal blogs, a “Live Chat” feature, and fun challenges between members. Use the site to track your blood glucose levels. Browse the recipe collection and/or post recipes. Take advantage of the long list of resources. Find the interview I did with David featuring Real Life Guide to Diabetes.
tudiabetes website Blog: tudiabetes
Author: Manny Hernandez developed and orchestrates this multi-faceted online community.
Features: At tudiabetes, you’ll find a community of people with diabetes connecting on myriad topics. You’ll also learn about and have the opportunity to engage in Hernandez’s Diabetes Hands Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to connect people with diabetes and raise awareness globally about diabetes (in both English and Spanish). Hernandez just introduced (5/2010) a new app on the site called tuAnalyze where you can record and share your A1C/glucose control results with others around the U.S. Manny Hernandez, who developed type 1diabetes as an adult, is committed to bringing his personal touch and sense of camaraderie to the site’s users. As a member, you receive discounts on certain diabetes-related products, have the option to join various sub-groups and discussions.
Diabetes Stories website Blog: diabetesstories
Author: Riva Greenberg
Features: Author Greenberg has had type 1 diabetes since childhood. At diabetesstories.com she shares tales of living with type 1 diabetes from her vast perspective having traveled the world and helping others with diabetes. Her goal: “to help motivate people who have diabetes to create their best life – not despite having diabetes but because of it.” This site is mainly the musings of Greenberg. Her passion for living a healthy lifestyle is as contagious as her writing, anecdotes and news-briefs are entertaining and informative. Greenberg is the author of the book 50 Diabetes Myths/50 Diabetes Truths. Find info about this book on her website.

Diabetic Connect website Blog: diabeticconnect
Author: Master ringleader of this community is Amy Tenderich, author of diabetesmine
Features: This is a place for people with diabetes to connect and develop a sense of community to share and commiserate around all things diabetes – from management to daily life challenges and triumphs. Create a profile and you’ll instantly connect with thousands. Today the community is amazingly nearing at least 150,000 members! You’ll also find news articles, product reviews, recipes, resources and more.
Six Until Me website Blog: sixuntilme
Author: Kerri Morone Sparling
Features: Initially thinking she was in this diabetes world alone, Sparling started researching and blogging to reach out and bond with those who also have type 1 diabetes. Kerri is endearingly honest and open about her everyday personal experiences with her family, including her first child, a daughter. She’s an active member of online blogging communities such as blogher.com and tudiabetes.com. Sparling has won a “Medical Blog” Award. A valuble resource worth checking out is an A-Z list of fellow diabetes bloggers.
Blog: diabetessisters
Author: Brandy Barnes, who has type 1 diabetes developed and maintains this site with the assistance of many diabetes sisters
Features: Women with diabetes can unite and join forces at Diabetes Sisters – a site devoted to improving “the health and quality of life of women with diabetes”. This site is designed to provide comfort, support, information, news and opportunities for women with Diabetes. Users will find blogs, “buddy” programs, hot topics, forum discussions, volunteer opportunities, and information on all things diabetes-related.