New Edition of Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes Helps Readers Learn How to Better Manage Diabetes to Reduce Risks of Complications

Friday, October 07, 2005

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Imagine you've recently learned that you or a loved one have diabetes. Or you're afraid that you're at risk of getting the disease. What will diabetes do to you or your loved one? Will you have to eat tasteless food that has no sugar? Will you have to give daily shots of insulin to yourself or a loved one? Will you face an amputation?

Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes, Second Edition (Mayo Clinic Health Information, March 2006, Softcover, $19.95) is completely revised and provides the answers readers are looking for concerning diabetes. Luckily, for the majority of the more than 18 million Americans with diabetes, the answers to the questions above are no.

Diabetes is serious, but the good news is that physicians now understand this disease and how to manage it better than ever. New information on treatments, management and living well with diabetes is included in Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes, Second Edition.

"The best weapon against diabetes is knowledge," explains Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D., and Editor in Chief for Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes, Second Edition. "Whether someone has recently been diagnosed with diabetes or has lived with it for years, this book provides the most up-to-date, practical advice and tools to help one make wise decisions and live well with diabetes."

A new section in Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes, Second Edition helps readers find out the major risk factors for type 2 diabetes and whether or not they're at risk. The more boxes checked on the list, the higher one's risk.

Steps to reduce risks are detailed in an easy-to-understand format. Good health is a valuable asset and protecting that health becomes even more important when faced with diabetes or the risk of diabetes.

Following advice from a physician and the recommendations in Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes, Second Edition, readers will be reassured that they're doing the right things to manage diabetes and reduce risks for serious complications.

Inside Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes

Part 1: The Facts Understanding diabetes and the dangers of uncontrolled diabetes are important first steps for managing health. In this section, readers will learn what diabetes is, the types of diabetes, factors that increase risks, how to prevent type 2 diabetes and tests to detect diabetes. Readers also learn the signs and symptoms of medical emergencies, how to deal with them and how diabetes increases risks for heart attacks, strokes and other long-term complications.

Part 2: Taking Control The cornerstones of controlling diabetes are monitoring blood sugar, eating healthy, achieving a healthy weight and increasing physical activity. In Part 2, readers will find guidelines for effectively monitoring blood sugar, steps for developing a healthy eating plan and tips for losing weight and increasing physical activity, including sample exercises.

Part 3: Medical Therapies A healthy diet and regular exercise are crucial to any diabetes treatment plan. But sometimes diet and exercise aren't enough. In Part 3, readers find the latest information about different insulin treatments and oral medications. Also included are easy-to-read charts that summarize treatment options, including the newest insulin alternatives and oral medications on the market.

Part 4: Successful Management Over time, managing diabetes becomes routine, but at times one may wonder if efforts are paying off. This section explains to readers the different tests and regular checkups that are needed. It also highlights vital self-care steps for preventing complications — from watching cholesterol, to checking feet every day, to managing stress.

Part 5: Unique Issues Women, men and parents of a child who has diabetes have concerns that are unique to their situations. For women, this section covers menstruation and blood sugar, diabetes and pregnancy, and how menopause affects diabetes. Many men over age 50 with diabetes have some degree of impotence, which is often treatable. The book talks about the options and new medications. And finally, in a newly added chapter for children or teenagers with diabetes, readers learn practical tips that range from involving a child in diabetes care to dealing with emotional and social issues.

Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes, Second Edition is a reader's guide to reliable, easy-to-understand information about diabetes and how to successfully manage the disease.

All revenue from book sales supports medical education and research programs at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes, Second Edition will be in bookstores in March 2006.

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Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes, Second Edition March 2006 ISBN 1-893005-38-0 Retail $19.95 US/ CAN $27.95

Editor in Chief — Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D. Mayo Clinic physician Mayo Clinic Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition

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