Some people may question the need for something like a diabetes hotline in the internet age. With so much information available at the click of a mouse, the idea of a national diabetes hotline may seem a little outdated. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Some people, usually the elderly or low-income patients, do not have access to an internet connection without leaving the home. Furthermore, many people still don’t feel comfortable using the internet, don’t have a computer, or lack the knowledge needed to use the internet. Many very remote areas don’t have internet access either, or it is very expensive. So there are many reasons why a diabetes hotline can be a valuable resource.
What are some of the National Diabetes Hotline Resources Available?
- The American Diabetes Association is a probably the most trusted resource for diabetics, providing information about the condition itself as well as nutrition and medication advice. The diabetes hotline can be reached at 1-800-342-2383. They are not a 24 hour diabetes hotline, but you can order information packages during non-business hours. Any emergency situation should be handled with a call to 911 or one of your local medical emergency service providers. They also have a wide range of information of interest to diabetics at their website, www.diabetes.org.
- If you are looking for a 24 hour diabetes hotline, there are few, if any, to be found that are nationwide. Most of the 24 hour diabetes hotline numbers will be staffed by local hospitals, or local agencies that specialize in helping diabetics. There are some local facilities that will answer calls from anywhere, but will not be able to help you find help outside their particular location. One example of such a facility is the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Although they treat many diseases and conditions other than diabetes, they do have a diabetes department that will help with general information from callers anywhere. Their diabetes hotline can be reached at 1-323-361-2311, and they have an after-hours emergency number for people in the Los Angeles area at 1-323-361-2403.
- The Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation has a diabetes hotline that helps more than 1200 people annually. Their diabetes hotline can help you find a doctor in your area and they will also help you get through all the new information regarding research, medications, and technology to help you understand what may pertain to you. They can be reached at 1-800-941-4635. They aren’t set up to handle emergencies, so again you should dial 911 for anything diabetes related that may be a medical emergency.
- The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has an excellent educational diabetes hotline at 1-800-438-5383. It is staffed through the National Institutes of Health and can be reached during normal business hours.
Make Sure You Are Prepared For Your Own Emergencies
Although the above diabetes hotline and helpline numbers will be helpful to anyone, you should be prepared for the possibility of a diabetic emergency for yourself or a family by doing the following:
- Call your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association to find out all the emergency numbers in your location, and to see if there are any hospitals in your area providing a 24 hour diabetes hotline service
- Have a list by the telephone and on your person at all times listing your name and contact information, your doctors name and phone number, the local hospitals in your area along with their address and phone numbers. Include on the list the above diabetes hotline numbers, along with any others you deem appropriate
- Keep a list of any medications you are on, any other medical conditions you suffer with, your normal sugar level and blood pressure readings, and any other pertinent medical information that may be needed in an emergency.
- Keep a list of family members and other people that should be contacted in case of emergency.
Taking these precautions will prove valuable in a diabetic emergency, and will be particularly useful if you become unconscious.
