HOW TO LIVE WITH DIABETES: The New Approach

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1976

The new approach advocated by the author, a diabetes specialist, is to give the patient as much information about the disease as is currently available. Thus the patient is more likely to be motivated to do as much as possible to manage the disorder. This means eating appropriate foods at appropriate intervals, avoiding stress, taking care in case of infection, losing weight, getting sufficient exercise, and so on. It can also mean choosing insulin therapy twice a day over an oral drug taken at breakfast. The doctor presents a strong case. Beginning with a history of the disease, he scrupulously outlines the normal mode of action of insulin as well as the various abnormalities that depend on whether the diabetes is of juvenile or mature onset, whether it occurs with or without obesity. A particularly interesting chapter deals with diabetes and pregnancy, and explains how modern methods of fetal monitoring can greatly reduce the risk to both mother and child. The section on complications of diabetes argues that most of the serious developments--vascular disorders, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage--come about from longterm exposure of the body's tissues to the high-sugar (hyperglycemic) environment. This results in changes in the ""basement membrane"" which are responsible for the retinal hemorrhages, poor nerve conduction, diminished filtering power of the kidneys, and so on. To avoid these the patient should strive to create as near normoglycemic environment throughout the day as possible. The book is a good example of science writing at an advanced level. For the intelligent, probably already motivated diabetic, there is much solid information here and a decidedly hopeful outlook.

Pub Date: June 1, 1976

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1976

Categories: NONFICTION