Diabetes Books For A Diabetic's Library Review

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GeorgeBounacos
Chantilly, VA

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There is some serious misinformation out there.

avid reader, diabetic

Pros

Knowledge is power., Learn about your diabetes., The more you know, the better you can be

Cons

Beware of miracle books, Know the source - there are many

JUL

2008

So you have diabetes. There is a lot of information on the web, and much of that information is questionable. That is why you need to know the top diabetes books. Diabetes is a life-changing illness. Don't leave your management to chance info you read on someone's blog.

You, my friend, need some printed material. But beware. Books go out of print fast as medical knowledge changes. To be safe, skip the eBay auctions and private sellers unless you know for sure that you are buying the most current volume and that the most current volume's information is still valid.

A great example of that is the Joslin Center Guide many doctors and many websites still cite. Unfortunately, the book is more than a decade old, and you need to more current information.

One other issue: Try to steer clear of the "Reversing Diabetes" or "Miracle Cure" type books. There is no miracle cure short of a pancreas transplant and some other major things (which you are likely not getting) and there is no cure for diabetes.

But there are books to help you control your diabetes and reduce or eliminate medication and reduce the risk of complications. That should be your goal. By now, you hopeully know that doing so means rigid control over your activity and food intake every day.

A great place to start is with The First Year. I handed my copy of Becker and Goldfine's The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes to a houseguest this week. I always buy a copy because I always want one nearby. As someone active in the association who stays on top of many issues, newly diagnosed diabetics leave their education class with more questions. Many come to me, and the first thing I do is hand them a copy of The First Year. Even if you or a loved one has had Type 2 for more than a year, get this amazing read. Other titles you should have on your bookshelf:

2) You can't go wrong with the American Diabetes Association's Complete Guide to Diabetes. Be careful, though. The book's fourth edition is the most recent and now almost two years old. The watchword here is "conservative". The definitions and descriptions are solid, but nothing earth-shattering.

3) The Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes is only a couple of years old, but is already out of print. Grab a copy on eBay. What is important here is the plain English approach Dr. Maria Collazo-Clavell takes to explaining how diabetes works, and more importantly, its practical applications for your life. From describing blood glucose ranges (which slighly differ from the ADA's) to frank talk about alcohol, neuropathy and testing, this is simply a terrific read.

4) Diabetes for Dummies has a brand new edition out this month. If you feel absolutely overwhelmed trying to understand the issues, you may want to start with this book. If you've never been to a diabetes education class (and shame on you if you haven't -- get moving!), Dr. Rubin's book is probably a good starting site. Like the rest of the Dummies series, previous editions of this book skim the surface, and you MUST know more about your condition.

5) ADA Complete Guide to Calorie Counting by Hope Warshaw is one of two Warshaw titles on this list. The book is older than most, but still has valid concepts. Warshaw is an accessible writer who makes what would be a diet book a worthy reference.

6) Type 1 Diabetes often manifests in youngsters. Dr Ragnar Hanas' guide to kids and teens living with Type 1 diabetes is a must have for those diabetics and their families. Type 1 diabetics might have an insulin pump or use syringes daily. They'll be surrounded with peer pressure and have to make tough decisions on their own. Dr. Hanas helps describe which ones need careful thought. If you have a type 1 diabetic in your family, even your extended family, this is a must buy.

7) The Guide to Diabetic Exchanges is another ADA title and is important even if you don't follow the ADA exchange diet method (similar to a Weight Watchers plan). You will find yourself in situations where a diabetic menu, especially in a hospital, will contain diabetic exchange information rather than traditional carb and calorie breakouts. If you don't know the concepts, you can accidentally take in too many calories while simply managing carbs. Think of the new vegeterian who eats peanut butter and Caesar salads. Yummy. Bad for a regular life of nutrition.

8) Wrapping things up is another Warshaw title, What To Eat When You're Eating Out. I call this my glove compartment book. When my family or friends go to a national chain restaurant, Warshaw's handy guide gives me the scoop on recipes, exchanges, carbs and the things I need to know. Be careful, though. Restaurants are changing their recipes more often, sometimes due to legislation, and Warshaw's book is two years old now. I understand there is a new copy hitting stores this year. That would make an ideal holiday gift for anyone, not just a diabetic.

So 8 titles to get you going with a mix of food, medicine and Type 1 and Type 2 care. Nothing is easy, miracles are usually reserved for a beautiful, sunny day and you need to be your own well-informed advocate about diabetes. Get reading. If you can read on a treadmill, that would be good too.

Diabetes Books For A Diabetic's Library is recommended by GeorgeBounacos

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Comments about GeorgeBounacos’s Review

GeorgeBounacos wrote on Jul 31, 2008 at 10:53AM

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In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Jul 29, 2008 at 3:34PM:

Thanks a lot, GC. We've both been the other George for some time, eh?

GeorgeChabot wrote on Jul 29, 2008 at 3:34PM

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Hi George, welcome to Viewpoints. The other George. ;>

GeorgeBounacos wrote on Jul 28, 2008 at 12:05AM

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In response to steve9631's comment from Jul 22, 2008 at 2:14PM:

Thanks, everyone for the comments. Good to hear you're hanging tough, Cyndi! Don't give in. Follow Steve's mantra. It's amazing how many pre-diabetics or those just facing insulin resistance can turn things around with something as simple as walking...

LaurieM wrote on Jul 26, 2008 at 11:29AM

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This is really helpful information for those with diabetes and even for those who have family members with it. Thanks for sharing it.

lilsquibb wrote on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:52AM

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Wow great information! When you're hit with something like this, it's hard to know where to turn sometimes. I had gestational with my first (luckily not the second) and it was ineresting all the different sources of info out there.