Every Woman's Guide to Diabetes: What You Need to Know to Lower Your Risk and Beat the Odds

Current estimates indicate that nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes or are at risk, and a little more than half are women. While gestational diabetes is the best known, there are many other gender-specific concerns that influence development and control of the disease. Physicians Eisenstat, a women's health specialist, and Nathan, director of the Diabetes Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, team with medical writer Barlow for a sympathetic portrait of the myriad medical and psychosocial considerations that must be navigated for women to maintain healthy glucose levels and optimal quality of life. Focusing primarily on Type 2 diabetes, they describe risk factors and gender and ethnic-specific conditions that influence progression of the disease. Because much damage (nerve, cardiovascular, kidney, retinal and dental) is done before symptoms appear, the authors stress early diagnosis and intensive management of glucose levels. Testing and monitoring methods, types of insulin and other medications, dietary strategies and daily schedules are presented clearly with charts, tables and lists for easy access. There are helpful sections on the effects of stress, illness, hormonal fluctuations and aging, as well as a discussion of gestational diabetes as it affects women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. (Jan.)