When a Child Has Diabetes
When a Child Has Diabetes
When a Child Has Diabetes
Denis Daneman, Marcia Frank, Kusiel Perlman
Key Porter Books Ltd, 70 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5E 1R2
1999/209 pp
Strengths
Comprehensive, well written, easy to read, informative
Weaknesses
Might make the whole process seem too simple
Audience
Anybody involved with a child with diabetes, including the child
This book is well written. A short overview is followed by individual chapters dealing with the specifics of diagnosis and continuing management of this challenging condition.
Each chapter begins with an anecdote from an individual or family as a way to explore specific situations and to provide the information necessary to make decisions. At the end of each chapter, a series of questions most commonly asked by patients and their families are followed by appropriate answers.
Overview. The first chapter covers progress from presentation to treatment through an explanation of the mechanics, types of diabetes, causes and risk of development, the way insulin works, the effect of too little insulin, confirming the diagnosis.
Striking a balance. The authors discuss the concept of blood glucose balance and factors that have to be faced daily that influence this balance.
All about insulin. Types of insulin, their actions, combinations, and administration are described in a very practical manner.
Making meals work. An outstandingly simple explanation of meal planning offers examples of how to make meals interesting. An excellent exploration of carbohydrate counting provides extreme flexibility in meal planning and is an almost essential component of intensive insulin therapy.
Balancing blood sugar. The authors provide information to help a child live with diabetes rather than be ruled by diabetes. Useful information explains target ranges for blood sugars, the meaning of hemoglobin AIC levels, and how to adjust dosage of insulin. One item discussed, which is rarely seen in other sources, is the phenomenon of delayed low blood sugar.
Handling highs and lows. This subject poses a problem to all caregivers and is addressed in an outstandingly clear way, with an explanation of how to take prompt and appropriate action.
Adjusting to diabetes. An often neglected subject, the effect of the diagnosis on people and the effect of diabetes on lifestyle, is addressed.
Growth and development. From infants to young adults, diabetes affects development.
Putting complications in perspective. The authors take a nonthreaten-ing approach.
Setting the stage for a healthy future. The years of rebellion from the teen years to early adulthood often involve poor diabetes control. This chapter finishes with the challenge of transferring from a pediatric to an adult health care milieu.
Future of diabetes. The authors offer a wish list and a promise.
Results of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study trial confirm that excellent control leads to improved outcomes. This applies both to those who already have complications and those who do not. With the tools that we have today (newer insulins, newer delivery methods, excellent monitoring systems available at minimal cost), we should be able to approach the results obtained in those trials in the community at large, and this book will certainly help us work toward this goal.
As family physicians, up to 15% of patients we see daily are likely to have diabetes. Seventy percent or more of people with diabetes would prefer to be looked after by their family physicians. Family physicians, working closely with diabetes centres, achieve results comparable to those of diabetologists working in or with diabetes centres. We must meet the challenge and help those with diabetes to achieve healthier lifestyles and longer and healthier futures. This book, written to address the needs of children with type 1 diabetes, will help us with them and adults with type 2 diabetes, whether they need insulin or not.
I highly recommend this book.