American Medical Association Guide to Living with Diabetes

The symptoms of high blood sugar, the hallmark of diabetes, can be subtle—the reason why the disorder can go undetected for many years. This comprehensive guide helps you understand the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and the importance of getting an early diagnosis and treatment. The book describes the tests used to diagnose diabetes and enables you to take charge of your treatment regimen by giving you the facts about such important topics as:

• Why you can be more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes at different stages of life, such as at puberty, during pregnancy, and as you get older
• Personalized dietary guidelines
• Safe and effective exercise programs designed to reduce blood sugar levels
• The latest information on diabetes medications and blood sugar testing
• What research shows about complementary and alternative therapies
• Helpful tips for special situations such as traveling and illness

The goal of managing your diabetes is to prevent or reduce the serious complications that can result from uncontrolled blood sugar. You'll learn how to recognize and minimize the effects of acute, life-threatening complications such as low blood sugar and diabetic ketoacidosis, as well as serious long-term complications, including heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, eye damage, and dental problems.

Among the most alarming aspects of the growing type 2 diabetes epidemic is the increase in the disease among children and young adults. This invaluable guide details the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes in young people, the most important of which are excess weight and lack of exercise. Parents will find the information they need to help their children avoid diabetes and, if they have it, get an early diagnosis and effective treatment. A complete chapter in the book is devoted to gestational diabetes, an increasingly common form of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy.

By following the recommendations and guidelines in the American Medical Association Guide to Living with Diabetes, you can reduce or eliminate the symptoms, avoid or minimize the risk of serious complications, and become more physically fit, energetic, and alert. In fact, there's no reason you can't be healthier than you've ever been.

For more than 150 years, the American Medical Association has been the leading group of medical experts in the United States and one of the most respected health-related organizations in the world. The AMA continues to work to advance the art and science of medicine and to be an advocate for patients and the voice of physicians in the United States.