I cant tell you how many times Ive recently accessed the new Diabetes For Dummies, by Alan L. Rubin, MD. Dont let the title put you off, its one of the best guides to diabetes management Ive read. From causes, symptoms, and side effects to treatments, diet and exercise--this book delivers! Parents may be interested to know that theres even a chapter on managing a baby or preschooler with diabetes. Dr. Rubin is way ahead of the headlines, as hes even included dealing with obesity and type 2 diabetes in children in this book. Being a "checklist" type of person, I like the way this book is laid out, highlighting and summarizing important points in each area, along with chapter references for expanded information on the topic at hand. For example, one short checklist identifies six things you should be able to do if your child is controlling his diabetes with insulin:
1. Identify the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (with chapter reference)
2. Administer insulin (with chapter reference)
3. Measure the blood glucose and urine ketones (with chapter reference)
4. Treat hypoglycemia with food or glucagon (with chapter reference)
5. Feed your diabetic child (with chapter reference)
6. Know what to do when your child is sick with another childhood illness (with chapter reference).
Diabetes For Dummies is a book you can pick up and read from chapter to chapter, or use as a reference source to answer your questions. The index is very complete and the Appendixes include a mini-cookbook (my type of book!), diabetic exchange lists, website references (even including one for animals with diabetes) and a good glossary of terms.
I would give Diabetes For Dummies a five-star rating.
