Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes

I just finished reading Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes: 5 Essential Health Factors You Can Master to Enjoy a Long and Healthy Life by Richard Jackson M.D., from Harvard’s Joslin Diabetes Center, and Amy Tenderich, our friend from Diabetes Mine.
On the basics, the book is written in a clear, concise language, and is under 300 pages. Know Your Numbers contains a wealth of useful information for diabetics (both type I and type II) to manage their disease. The latest medical science is presented by Dr. Jackson, and numerous practical advice, as well as case studies, are written by Amy, who is a type I diabetic herself and, as one can imagine, deals with these issues first hand. Overall, the book’s aim is to change patients’ attitudes, lifestyle choices, and expectations. The authors, again and again, show that these changes are not only necessary, but also positive for the well being, both physical and mental, of those dealing with the disease.
Diabetes is a complex disease. Its pathophysiology and complications are difficult to understand not only for patients, but healthcare providers as well. Armed with the latest science, authors explain how five essential tests can guide patients to better disease management. These five tests — A1C hemoglobin levels, blood pressure, lipid profile, microalbumin, and eye exam — identify overall diabetes control, associative risk factors, and signs of diabetes side effects. Understanding what these tests mean is like having radar in the the battle against diabetes. The entire first part of the book explains these scientific foundations.
What to do, how to behave in the battle is explained in the second part of the book. Here the authors try to help patients design their own personalized plans for treatment and lifestyle modifications: some of the most common myths are dispelled, and real practical advice is given.
The remaining parts of the book are devoted to miscellaneous (but important) matters, such as psychiatric issues, podiatry, diabetic oral hygiene, and travel. Authors also include internet resources, and blogging basics. We will not hold against Amy the fact that Medgadget was not included in its resources section: the book is solid and is easy to read. — Dr. O
Amazon: Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes: 5 Essential Health Factors You Can Master to Enjoy a Long and Healthy Life (Marlowe Diabetes Library) (Paperback)