The Proven Benefits of Joining a Diabetes Online Community

If you have diabetes or are caring for someone with diabetes, you are probably living under the constant stress of getting information and making better decisions. However, you cannot rely on your healthcare team 24/7 for all your answers. This is where diabetes online communities or DOCs provide support. 

These diabetes communities exist on almost all virtual platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube etc., and provide a safe space for people affected by diabetes. Here people can ask for advice, provide information or simply receive emotional support. 

There are also many tangible benefits of being a part of these diabetes online communities. You can improve your social connection, regulate blood sugar levels, lower the levels of diabetes distress, etc. Let’s read more about these benefits in this article. 

Health Benefits of Diabetes Online Communities

There have been many studies on the health benefits of DOCs. Some of these benefits include: 

Increases Social Connectedness

Diabetes can cause distress and depression and make you feel isolated and lonely. The stigma and stereotypes of diabetes add to the feeling of isolation.

A diabetes online community can help you connect with other people experiencing the same day-to-day problems of diabetes management at a deeper level. This support network helps you feel emotionally and socially supported as well as empowered and hopeful, improving the quality of your life significantly.   

Encourages Self-Care Practices

People who are a part of a diabetes online community are also more likely to perform better self-care activities such as checking glucose levels, taking insulin and medication on time, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, etc. 

DOCs can also help people in taking a better approach to these self-care activities. People in the group discuss strategies for weight loss, healthy foods and recipes, the best technology to monitor blood sugar levels, etc., providing helpful information to manage diabetes better. 

Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Many studies have found that people engaged with a diabetes online community have better A1C blood test results. In addition, DOCs are also associated with better glycemic control.

One of the main reasons for these results could be the accountability that people feel being a part of these diabetes online communities, making them more vigilant about their blood sugar levels and following healthy practices. 

How To Find a Diabetes Online Community?

Before you look out for a diabetes online community, you should know your goals. Do you want to connect with others, receive information, gain emotional support, etc.? This will help you find a perfect community for yourself. 

Next, you should start looking out for these groups. You can ask your doctor for recommendations, seek help from other people with diabetes or search online. 

On a Final Note

Diabetes Online communities or DOCs are a great help to diabetes patients and therefore form an integral part of diabetes management. They help motivate people with diabetes to practice better self-care activities and regulate their blood sugar levels. The support and encouragement you receive from these diabetes online communities also help cope with diabetes distress. 

References

• https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/online-support-for-type-2-diabetes
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/type-2-diabetes-support-groups
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586085/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30854884/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6238850/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6088271/