According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 25.8 million people in the United States have diabetes. Left untreated, patients can face a variety of complications, including heart disease and stroke, blindness, kidney disease, neuropathy, and amputation. Obviously, managing the condition is vitally important.
One excellent resource is the ADAs Complete Guide to Diabetes. An updated fifth edition was published later, bringing the book up-to-date with the latest advancements in diabetes management.
Each chapter tackles a different topic, and every imaginable aspect of diabetes is covered in the eight major sections:
Diabetes 101 – These chapters explain the basics of diabetes: what diabetes is, the early history of the disease and treatments, and detailed information on glucose and insulin. It also includes a list of famous people with diabetes.
Types of Diabetes – This section includes chapters discussing the symptoms, causes and differences among type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes with an overview of treatment options. Along with Diabetes 101, it will be especially useful for newly diagnosed patients struggling to understand the disease, as well as explaining it to friends and family who may have questions.
Monitoring Diabetes – The backbone of any diabetes management plan includes monitoring blood glucose, and this section discusses who should monitor, how often, and when extra checks may be needed. It includes information on self-monitoring tools such as lancets and test strips, continuous glucose monitors and logbooks, as well as what to do during a blood glucose emergency.
Managing Your Diabetes – Proper diabetes management includes keeping blood glucose levels as close as possible to the levels of someone without diabetes in order to avoid long-term complications. This section has practical sections on nutrition, exercise, and the latest medications.
Complications of Diabetes – People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease, hearing, vision, kidney and nerve disease than the general population, but these risks can be reduced with proper management. Its also important to recognize the warning signs of complications and take steps to prevent them. And because diabetes affects men and women differently, this section includes gender-specific chapters to address those issues.
Diabetes and Health Care – Diabetes doesnt exist in a vacuum, and its important for patients to have a health care team working together. This team could include the primary care provider as well as specialists such as a diabetes educator, registered dietitian, eye doctor, podiatrist, and pharmacist, although the exact make-up of the team will be determined by patients individual needs as well as costs and insurance coverages. This section also includes information about common types of health insurance and advice on dealing with denied claims, steps to take when preparing for hospital stays or surgeries, and even finding home care or assisted living facilities.
Life with Diabetes – People with diabetes have to manage not only the physical aspect of the condition, but stress and emotional reactions as well. These chapters look at common sources of family tension, such as dealing with mealtimes or coping with a child with diabetes. There is also practical advice for managing work and school or while traveling, and tips for talking to supervisors, co-workers and teachers, even airport security. The goal is to be prepared for handling any situation.
Resources – This section features sample forms and worksheets for medical management plans, and an index of other organizations than can help people with diabetes.
The book is user-friendly with an easy-to-follow format without sacrificing in-depth and detailed advice. The range of information offered makes it useful not just to people newly diagnosed with diabetes, but also to those that have been living with the disease for a while. The Complete Guide to Diabetes is an excellent addition to any diabetics health-care library.
Complete Guide to Diabetes
Publisher: American Diabetes Association
ISBN: 978-1-58040-330-6
