Diabetes For Dummies

Diabetes For Dummies

by Alan L. Rubin
Diabetes For Dummies

Diabetes For Dummies

by Alan L. Rubin

Paperback(5th Revised ed.)

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Overview

The straight facts on treating diabetes successfully

With diabetes now considered pandemic throughout the world, there have been enormous advances in the field. Now significantly revised and updated, this new edition of Diabetes For Dummies includes the latest information on diabetes medications and monitoring equipment, new findings about treating diabetes in the young and elderly, new ways to diagnose and treat long- and short-term complications, updated nutritional guidelines, new tools for measuring blood sugar and delivering insulin to the body, and much more.

There's no question that the burden of diabetes is increasing globally: it's estimated that 387 million people worldwide are living with diabetes, and that staggering number is expected to increase an additional 205 million+ by 2035. If you or a loved one is part of this overwhelming statistic, you can take comfort in the sensitive and authoritative information provided in this hands-on guide. From monitoring and maintaining your glucose to understanding the importance of exercising and eating right—and everything in between—Diabetes For Dummies takes the guesswork out of living with diabetes and empowers you to take control and keep your life on a healthy track.

  • Reduce your risk of diabetes complications
  • Discover the latest and the tried-and-true options for monitoring blood sugar
  • Get up to speed on the various diabetes medications and lifestyle strategies
  • Improve diabetes control and overall health

If you're one of the millions of diabetics or pre-diabetics in search of an accessible and up-to-date resource to help you manage this disease, Diabetes For Dummies is the trusted guide you'll turn to again and again.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781119090724
Publisher: Wiley
Publication date: 08/31/2015
Series: For Dummies Books
Edition description: 5th Revised ed.
Pages: 432
Sales rank: 102,295
Product dimensions: 7.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Alan Rubin, MD, is the author of Diabetes Cookbook For Dummies, Type I Diabetes For Dummies, Prediabetes For Dummies, High Blood Pressure For Dummies, Thyroid For Dummies, and Vitamin D For Dummies. He is a professional member of the Endocrine Society and American Diabetes Association.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

About This Book 2

Foolish Assumptions 3

Icons Used in This Book 4

Beyond This Book 4

Where to Go from Here 5

Part I: Getting Started with Diabetes 7

Chapter 1: Dealing with Diabetes 9

Achieving Anything Or Everything! 10

Keeping good company 10

Realizing your potential 11

Reacting to Your Diagnosis 11

Experiencing denial 11

Feeling anger 12

Bargaining for more time and feeling depressed 12

Moving on 13

Maintaining a High Quality of Life 14

Exercising regularly 15

Factoring in the (minimal) impact of insulin treatments 15

Managing stress 16

Considering other key quality‐of‐life factors 17

Chapter 2: Making the Diagnosis with Glucose and Hemoglobin A1c 19

Realizing the Role of Glucose 19

Understanding the Hemoglobin A1c 21

Getting a Wake‐Up Call from Prediabetes 22

Knowing whether you should get tested 22

Testing for prediabetes 23

Detecting Diabetes 24

Diagnosing diabetes through testing 24

Examining the symptoms of diabetes 26

Tracing the History of Diabetes Treatment 27

Explaining the Obesity (and Diabetes) Epidemic 29

Putting Faces to the Numbers: Sharing Some Real Patient Stories 30

Chapter 3: Recognizing the Various Types of Diabetes 33

Getting to Know Your Pancreas and Its Role in Diabetes 34

Examining your pancreas 34

Understanding insulin 35

Understanding Type 1 Diabetes and You 36

Identifying symptoms of type 1 diabetes 36

Investigating the causes of type 1 diabetes 37

Getting type 1 diabetes 38

Preventing type 1 diabetes 39

Having Type 2 Diabetes 39

Identifying symptoms of type 2 diabetes 40

Investigating what causes (and what doesn’t cause) type 2 diabetes 42

Getting type 2 diabetes 43

Preventing the causes of type 2 diabetes 44

Recognizing variants of type 1 and 2 diabetes 46

Dealing with Gestational Diabetes 48

Recognizing Other Types of Diabetes 48

Part II: Knowing How Uncontrolled Diabetes Affects Your Body 51

Chapter 4: Avoiding Short‐Term Complications 53

Solving (and Steering Clear of) Short‐Term Complications 53

Dropping Too Low: Hypoglycemia 54

Identifying the signs of hypoglycemia 55

Categorizing levels of hypoglycemia 57

Managing the causes of hypoglycemia 57

Understanding the risks of hypoglycemia in special situations 60

Treating hypoglycemia 61

Combating Ketoacidosis 62

Managing Hyperosmolar Syndrome 63

Heeding the symptoms of hyperosmolar syndrome 64

Finding the cause 64

Treating hyperosmolar syndrome 65

Chapter 5: Warding Off Long‐Term Complications 67

Knowing How Long‐Term Complications Develop and How to Avoid Them 68

Kidney Disease 68

The impact of diabetes on your kidneys 70

Early indications of kidney disease 70

Progressive changes in the kidneys 71

Treatment for diabetic nephropathy 73

Eye Disease 76

Noting common eye problems in diabetics 76

Eyeing the risks of retinopathy 78

Resources for the blind and visually impaired 80

Nerve Disease, Also Known as Neuropathy 80

Examining the basics of neuropathy 81

Recognizing disorders of sensation 82

Comprehending disorders of movement 84

Recognizing disorders of automatic (autonomic) nerves 85

Entrapment neuropathies 86

Heart Disease 87

Identifying risks of heart disease to diabetic patients 88

Metabolic syndrome 90

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy 92

Cardiomyopathy 92

Diabetic Blood Vessel Disease Away from the Heart 93

Peripheral vascular disease 93

Cerebrovascular disease 95

Diabetic Foot Disease 95

Skin Disease in Diabetes 97

Gum Disease in Diabetes 98

Sleep Apnea 98

Other Conditions Associated with Diabetes That You Should Know 99

Chapter 6: Preserving Sexual Function and Protecting Pregnancy 101

Examining Erection Problems 101

Reviewing the erection process 102

Discussing ED with your doctor 103

Treating for ED 103

Facing Female Sexual Problems 106

Striving for a Healthy Pregnancy 107

Realizing the body’s reaction to pregnancy 107

Being proactive before and during pregnancy 108

Diagnosing gestational diabetes 109

Recognizing risks to mother and baby 110

Treating diabetes during pregnancy 112

Maintaining your health after pregnancy 115

Focusing on your baby’s health 117

Dealing with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 118

Part III: Managing Diabetes: The “Thriving with Diabetes” Lifestyle Plan 121

Chapter 7: Self‐Testing for Glucose and Other Key Tests 123

Testing, Testing: Tests You Need to Stay Healthy 124

Monitoring Blood Glucose: It’s a Must 126

How often should you test? 127

How do you use a lancet? 128

How do you perform the test? 129

Choosing a Blood Glucose Meter 130

Factors that may influence your purchase 130

Profiles of different meters 131

Tracking Your Glucose over Time: Hemoglobin A1c 141

Testing for Kidney Damage: Moderately Increased Albumin (MIA) 143

Checking for Eye Problems 144

Examining Your Feet 144

Tracking Cholesterol and Other Fats 146

Measuring Blood Pressure 149

Checking Your Weight and BMI 151

Testing for Ketones 152

Testing the C‐Reactive Protein 152

Checking the TSH 153

Evaluating Testosterone in Men with Type 2 Diabetes 153

Checking Vitamin D 154

Chapter 8: Tackling What You Eat: Healthful Nutrition 155

Considering Total Calories First 156

Consuming the right amount of carbohydrates 159

Portioning proteins 163

Filling the fat requirement 164

Getting Enough Vitamins, Minerals, and Water 166

Counting Alcohol as Part of Your Diet 168

Using Sugar Substitutes 169

Eating Well for Type 1 Diabetes 171

Reducing Your Weight 171

Types of nutritional plans (NP) 172

Vegetarian plans 174

Mediterranean NP 174

Metabolic surgery for diabetes 175

Behavior modification 176

Coping with Eating Disorders 177

The dangers of anorexia and bulimia 178

Sources of help 179

Chapter 9: Metabolic Surgery: A Possible Cure for Type 2 Diabetes 181

Realizing the Benefits of Metabolic Surgery 182

Comparing surgery versus medical weight loss 183

Considering costs 183

Contemplating the other benefits 184

Considering Surgery over Traditional Diabetes Care 185

Realizing that surgery is a safe option 185

Comparing metabolic surgery and usual care 185

Focusing on metabolic surgery and intensive care 186

Getting Familiar with Guidelines for Surgical Candidates 187

Eyeing medical determinants 188

Noting psychological determinants 188

Knowing who shouldn’t have surgery 189

Choosing the Operation 189

Adjustable gastric banding (AGB) 190

Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) 191

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) 192

How the surgery works 193

Preparing for Surgery 193

Finding the right surgeon 193

Getting ready for surgery 194

Identifying Short‐Term and Long‐Term Complications of Surgery 195

Managing your medications after surgery 195

Listing short‐term problems 196

Noting long‐term problems 196

Eating Properly and Exercising after Surgery 198

Focusing on nutrition after surgery 198

Comprehending why you may gain weight 198

Exercising before and after surgery 199

Hearing from Real Patients 202

Patient GM 202

Patient MS 203

Patient MP 205

Considering New Guidelines for Surgery 206

Chapter 10: Creating Your Exercise Plan 209

Getting Off the Couch: Why Exercise Is Essential 210

Preventing macrovascular disease 211

Providing other benefits 211

Taking charge of your health 212

Understanding your body mechanics during exercise 212

Reaping the benefits 213

Exercising When You Have Diabetes 214

Working out with type 1 diabetes 215

Working out with type 2 diabetes 215

Determining How Much Exercise to Do 216

Exerting enough effort 216

Devoting an hour a day 217

Making moderate exercise your goal 218

Is Golf a Sport? Choosing Your Activity 218

Walking 10K Steps a Day 222

Lifting Weights 224

Chapter 11: Medications: What You Should Know 231

Taking Drugs by Mouth: Oral Agents 232

Sulfonylureas 232

Metformin 234

Alpha‐glucosidase inhibitors 237

Thiazolidinediones (The glitazones) 238

Meglitinides 240

DPP‐4 inhibitors 241

Bile acid sequestrants 243

Bromocriptine 243

SGLT2 inhibitors 243

Combining oral agents 244

New injectable drugs 245

Taking Insulin 248

Considering insulin options 249

Shooting yourself 251

Conducting intensive insulin treatment 253

Adjusting insulin when you travel 255

Delivering insulin with a pen 256

Delivering insulin with a jet‐injection device 257

Delivering insulin with an external pump 258

Utilizing aids to insulin delivery 261

Using Other Medications 262

Avoiding Drug Interactions 263

Finding Assistance Obtaining Drugs 264

Chapter 12: Assembling Your Diabetes Team 267

Your Role as Author, Producer, Director, and Star 267

The Primary Physician: Your Assistant Director 268

The Diabetologist or Endocrinologist: Your Technical Consultant 269

The Eye Doctor: Your Lighting Designer 270

The Foot Doctor: Your Dance Instructor 270

The Dietitian: Your Food‐Services Provider 271

The Diabetes Educator: Your Researcher 272

The Pharmacist: Your Usher 272

The Mental‐Health Worker: Your Supporting Actor 273

Your Family and Friends: Your Captivated and Caring Audience 273

The Internet: Your Potential Partner in Lifestyle Change 274

Sites for diet and weight loss 274

Sites for exercise programs 275

Finding reputable websites 275

Part IV: Special Considerations for Living with Diabetes 277

Chapter 13: Managing Diabetes in Children 279

Dealing with Diabetes in Your Baby or Preschooler 280

Nurturing a diabetic infant 280

Taking care of a toddler with diabetes 281

Becoming an educated caregiver 281

Helping Your Primary‐School Child with Diabetes 282

Coping with type 1 diabetes 283

Recognizing and treating type 2 diabetes 285

Managing Your Adolescent’s Diabetes 287

Handing Over the Reins to Your Young Adult Child with Diabetes 288

Preventing and Treating Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Children 289

Defining obesity in children 290

Preventing obesity in children 291

Dealing with type 2 diabetes 291

Taking Special Care of Sick Children 293

Checking for Thyroid Disease in Type 1 Children 293

Appreciating the Value of Team Care 294

Chapter 14: Diabetes and the Elderly 295

Diagnosing Diabetes in the Elderly 295

Evaluating Intellectual Functioning 296

Considering Heart Disease 297

Preparing a Proper Diet 297

Avoiding Hypoglycemia 298

Using Medications 299

Dealing with Eye Problems 300

Coping with Urinary and Sexual Problems 301

Monitoring Foot Problems 301

Considering Treatment Approaches 302

Understanding the Medicare Law 303

Chapter 15: Dealing With Occupational and Insurance Problems 305

Traveling with Diabetes 305

Knowing Where You Can’t Work 307

Becoming Familiar with Workplace Law 309

Navigating the Health‐Insurance System 310

Employer insurance 311

Government insurance 311

Private insurance 311

No insurance 313

Changing or Losing a Job 313

Considering Long‐Term Care Insurance 314

Shopping for Life Insurance 315

Chapter 16: Eyeing What’s New in Diabetes Care 317

Protecting Yourself from the Dangers of New Drugs 317

Checking the Role of Intestinal Organisms in Type 2 Diabetes 319

Eating One Meal a Day to Control Diabetes 319

Losing Weight with Gastric Artery Embolization 320

Blocking the Vagus Nerve for Weight Loss 320

Lowering Blood Glucose in Pregnancy 321

Using an Endoscopic Duodenal‐Jejunal Bypass Liner for Weight Loss 321

Placing a Gastric Balloon 322

Understanding the Importance of the ACCORD Trial 323

Taking Advantage of Metabolic Memory 324

Chapter 17: Discovering What Doesn’t Work When You Treat Diabetes 325

Developing a Critical Eye 325

Identifying Drugs and Supplements That Don’t Work 326

Chromium 328

Aspirin 328

Cinnamon 329

Pancreas formula 329

Fat Burner 329

Ki‐Sweet 329

Gymnema sylvestre 330

Avoiding Illegal Drugs 330

Knowing the Dangers of Some Legal Drugs for Other Purposes 331

Antipsychotics 331

AIDS medications 332

Recognizing Diets That Don’t Work 332

Part V: The Part of Tens 335

Chapter 18: Ten Commandments for Excellent Diabetes Care 337

Major Monitoring 337

Devout Dieting 338

Tenacious Testing 338

Enthusiastic Exercising 339

Lifelong Learning 339

Meticulous Medicating 340

Appropriate Attitude 340

Preventive Planning 341

Fastidious Foot Care 341

Essential Eye Care 342

Chapter 19: Ten Myths about Diabetes That You Can Forget 343

Perfect Treatment Yields Perfect Glucoses 343

Type 2 Diabetes Occurs in All Overweight People and Not in Normal Weight People 344

You Can’t Enjoy Your Food 344

You Can Tell the Level of Your Blood Glucose by How You Feel 345

People With Diabetes Get More Colds and Other Illnesses 345

If You Need Insulin, You’re Doomed 345

People with Diabetes Shouldn’t Exercise 346

You Can’t Give Blood Because You Have Diabetes 347

If You’re Sick and Can’t Eat, You Can Skip Your Diabetes Medications 347

Diabetes Wrecks Your Sense of Humor 348

Soak Your Feet Daily if You Have Diabetes 348

Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Get Others to Help You 349

Explain Hypoglycemia 349

Follow the Standards of Care 350

Find an Exercise Partner 350

Use Your Foot Doctor 351

Enlist Help to Fight Food Temptation 351

Expand Your Diabetes Knowledge 352

Fit Your Favorite Foods into Your Diet with a Dietitian 353

Seek Out Appropriate Specialists 353

Discuss Your Meds with the Pharmacist 354

Share This Book with Everyone 354

Appendix: Mini‐Cookbook 355

Getting to Know the Contributing Restaurants and Chefs 355

Avra Estiatorio 355

Border Grill 356

Greens 356

Gerald Hirigoyen 357

Luna Blu 357

Paulette Mitchell 357

Cooking Some Healthful Recipes 358

Index 391

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