Diabetes For Dummies. Rubin Alan L.

“I don’t want to have diabetes anymore.” Feeling terrible, I responded, “I know sweetie; I don’t want you to have it anymore either.” I then explained that she would have diabetes for the rest of her life. With a very concerned look she then asked, “Will you be the dummy for the rest of your life?”

      As sad as it is, I guess you’re right, one must look for humor in everything; otherwise we would have broken down by now.

      

You’re not required to read this book from cover to cover, although if you know nothing about diabetes, reading straight through may be a good approach. This book is designed to serve as a source for information about the problems that arise over the years. You can find the latest facts about diabetes and the best sources to discover any information that comes out after the publication of this edition.

      Throughout this book I use some specific conventions to make the text clearer, to highlight information, and to make your read as effortless as possible. These conventions are important to know, so I list them here:

      ✔ Sugar versus glucose: Diabetes, as you may know, is all about sugar. But sugars come in many types. So doctors avoid using the words sugar and glucose interchangeably. In this book (unless I slip up), I use the word glucose rather than sugar. (You may as well get used to it.)

      ✔ Emphasis on type 2 diabetes: There are a number of different types of diabetes (see my explanation in Chapter 3), and the most common are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Because I recently published Type 1 Diabetes For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), most of what you read here is about type 2 diabetes.

      ✔ Abbreviations: To save time, I use the following abbreviations:

      ● T1DM: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (formal name of type 1 diabetes)

      ● T2DM: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (formal name of type 2 diabetes)

      ✔ Pharmaceutical drug names: When I mention a drug used in the treatment of diabetes, I give the generic name. I provide the trade name in parentheses if relevant.

      Foolish Assumptions

      The book assumes that you know nothing about diabetes. So you won’t have to face a term that you’ve never heard of before and that is not explained. For those who already know a lot about diabetes, you can find more in-depth explanations in this book as well. You can pick and choose how much you want to know about a subject, but the key points are clearly marked.

      Icons Used in This Book

      The icons alert you to information you must know, information you should know, and information you may find interesting but can live without.

      

When you see this icon, it means the information is essential and you should be aware of it.

      

This icon points out when you should see your doctor (for example, if your blood glucose level is too high or you need a particular test done).

      

This icon marks important information that can save you time and energy.

      

I use this icon whenever I tell a story about patients.

      

This icon gives you technical information or terminology that may be helpful, but not necessary, to your understanding of the topic.

      

This icon warns against potential problems (for example, if you don’t treat a complication of diabetes properly).

      

I use this icon to direct you to supplemental information online, including a glossary, at www.dummies.com/extras/diabetes.

      Beyond This Book

      In addition to the content of this book, you can access some related material online. I have posted the Cheat Sheet at www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/diabetes. It contains important information that you may want to refer to on a regular basis. I also share some additional bits of information and pointers at www.dummies.com/extras/diabetes that can help you navigate this medical condition. You can find a glossary as well as a reference guide for additional help you can find online to deal with your diabetes.

      Where to Go from Here

      Where you go from here depends on your needs. If you already have basic knowledge of diabetes and want to know more about complications, go to Chapter 3. If you are a novice, start at Chapter 1. If you want to know more about the medications you are taking, go to Chapter 11. Each chapter title clearly tells you what you can find there, so check the table of contents to find what you need rapidly.

      

As you’ll find out, keeping a positive attitude and finding some humor in your diabetes can help you a great deal. At times you’ll feel like doing anything but laughing. But scientific studies are clear about the benefits of a positive attitude. In a very few words: He who laughs, lasts. Another point is that people learn more and retain more when humor is part of the process.

      Part I

      Getting Started with Diabetes

      

Check out www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/diabetes for a handy Cheat Sheet chockfull of important information about diabetes that you can refer to on a regular basis.

       In this part …

      ✔ Deal with the diagnosis of diabetes so you can take appropriate action with your doctor to create a treatment and action plan.

      ✔ Obtain an in-depth understanding of the definition of diabetes so you can determine the severity of your condition.

      ✔ Clarify the types of diabetes to form a foundation for your understanding of the various treatment options.

      ✔ Get to know your pancreas and all it does for you, allowing you to appreciate what it means when it isn’t working appropriately.

Chapter 1

      Dealing with Diabetes

       In This Chapter

      ▶ Discovering successful people with diabetes

      ▶ Coping with the initial diagnosis

      ▶ Upholding your quality of life

      If you have diabetes, in the course of a year you live with that diagnosis for about 8,760 hours. During that time, you spend perhaps one hour with a physician. In Chapter 12, I introduce you to many of the other people who may help you to manage your disease. Clearly, however, the ball is in your hands alone practically all the time. How you deal with your diabetes determines whether you score or are shut out.

      

One of my patients told me about working at her first job out of college, where each employee birthday was celebrated with cake. She came to the first