cover image American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes: The Ultimate Home Diabetes Reference

American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes: The Ultimate Home Diabetes Reference

American Dietetic Association, American Diabetes Association. American Diabetes Association, $29.95 (446pp) ISBN 978-0-945448-64-8

This well-designed, very clearly written compendium encourages diabetics ""to mesh the day-to-day management of diabetes"" into the routine of their lives. Chapters move from ""What Is Diabetes?"" (with discussion of causes and effects of Type I, Type II and gestational diabetes) to a glossary, an appendix on self-monitoring and injection techniques and a list of resources and organizations. The intervening chapters cover the means by which the goal of personal, daily diabetes management can most effectively be reached. One's personal physician, dentist, podiatrist, pharmacist and dermatologist are portrayed as members of a health-care team captained by the patient. Insulin types and use, glucose control, medications, test strips and blood-glucose meters (where to buy and how to use) are thoroughly examined. Intensive diabetes management (tight glucose control) rates its own chapter; ""Diabetes and Sex"" covers common problems encountered by both genders. Fitness and nutrition for the diabetic are considered, as are such complications as infections, retinopathy and neuropathy. A model of clarity in prose and design, this overview effectively helps its readers pursue the goal of ""living well with diabetes."" (Aug.)