Product Description

Women have long needed a book devoted to their unique issues with diabetes. This up-to-date and practical guide advocates simple lifestyle changes that can help women reduce their risk of getting diabetes or, if already diagnosed, prevent the disease’s most serious complications. Every Woman’s Guide to Diabetes translates the latest findings from diabetes research into proven strategies busy women can use to stay healthy and gain control over an often overwhelming disease. The authors discuss the nature of diabetes, helping readers through the complex medical decisions involved in diabetes treatment. They highlight strategies to decrease the emotional stress and social isolation that often accompany diagnosis, and offer everyday techniques for managing blood sugar.

Key features include:

• unique aspects of diabetes for women throughout the life cycle
• timetable of recommended tests and check-ups
• guide to medications with common dosages
• charts to help organize diabetes-care tasks and supplies
• time-management tips for better disease regulation
• guide to contraceptives available to women with diabetes
• review of issues critical to women before, during, and following pregnancy
• advice for overcoming barriers to weight loss and exercise
• plan for intelligent diet trade-offs while still enjoying meals
• practical tips for planning exercise
• strategies to avoid diabetes “burn-out”

Written by two physicians, one of whom is a woman living with diabetes, and an experienced medical writer, Every Woman’s Guide to Diabetes recognizes the power that women have in their households to effect lifestyle changes that will benefit themselves and loved ones, including their mothers, daughters, sisters, and partners. This power can reduce the toll of the diabetes epidemic.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1440826 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Current estimates indicate that nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes or are at risk, and a little more than half are women. While gestational diabetes is the best known, there are many other gender-specific concerns that influence development and control of the disease. Physicians Eisenstat, a women's health specialist, and Nathan, director of the Diabetes Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, team with medical writer Barlow for a sympathetic portrait of the myriad medical and psychosocial considerations that must be navigated for women to maintain healthy glucose levels and optimal quality of life. Focusing primarily on Type 2 diabetes, they describe risk factors and gender and ethnic-specific conditions that influence progression of the disease. Because much damage (nerve, cardiovascular, kidney, retinal and dental) is done before symptoms appear, the authors stress early diagnosis and intensive management of glucose levels. Testing and monitoring methods, types of insulin and other medications, dietary strategies and daily schedules are presented clearly with charts, tables and lists for easy access. There are helpful sections on the effects of stress, illness, hormonal fluctuations and aging, as well as a discussion of gestational diabetes as it affects women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. (Jan.)
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Review
It's refreshing to see a book that focuses on motivating, educating, and helping women to take charge of their health and diabetes. The authors offer a wonderfully personal approach for any woman with diabetes, and Every Woman's Guide to Diabetes is an empowering tool to help her gain control, become diabetes-savvy, and form a plan of action. As an endocrinologist sensitive to issues of women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, I strongly recommend this book-- it's a must-read.
--Sandra T. Foo, M.D. Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Medical Center (20061115)

A sympathetic portrait of the myriad medical and psychosocial considerations that must be navigated for women to maintain healthy glucose levels and optimal quality of life. Focusing primarily on Type 2 diabetes, [the authors] describe risk factors and gender and ethnic-specific conditions that influence progression of the disease. Because much damage (nerve, cardiovascular, kidney, retinal and dental) is done before symptoms appear, the authors stress early diagnosis and intensive management of glucose levels. Testing and monitoring methods, types of insulin and other medications, dietary strategies and daily schedules are presented clearly with charts, tables and lists for easy access. There are helpful sections on the effects of stress, illness, hormonal fluctuations and aging, as well as a discussion of gestational diabetes as it affects women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. (Publishers Weekly )

Although there are many fine books about diabetes from the American Diabetes Association, this work is valuable for its focus on women.
--Barbara M. Bibel (Library Journal )

Women have unique issues with diabetes. If you're a woman, are you at risk? Do you know how to find out or what to do about it? Here is thorough, concise information on who's at risk, how to avoid or prolong avoidance of diabetes and, if diagnosed, how to manage it. Easy to read and informative, Every Woman's Guide to Diabetes is a must-read for women seeking to avoid or deal with diabetes-- and isn't that all of us?
--Donna Zimmer, Consumer Connection

About the Author
Dr. Stephanie A. Eisenstat is an internist with Women's Health Associates at Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Medicine and Scholar at The Academy, Harvard Medical School. She directs a course for physicians in training, Trauma and Injury Control, and is co-editor with Dr. Carlson of Primary Care of Women, one of the first medical textbooks devoted to the emerging specialty of women's primary care.

Ellen Barlow is a medical writer and owner of Barlow Communications.

David M. Nathan, M.D., is Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Director of the Diabetes Center at MGH. He is the author of Beating Diabetes (Harvard Medical School Books).