Diabetes for Canadians for Dummies: Second Edition

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

The bad news is that the number of people with diabetes is mushrooming. The good news is that the understanding of this disease, and information on how to manage it, is increasing at an equally rapid pace. This means information on the topic issued even five years ago is now out of date. That’s the source of one of the strengths of this work: it is based on the latest (2008) information issued by the Canadian Diabetes Association. Strength number two is that the text is written for Canadians. While the disease and its treatment is the same on both sides of the Canada–U.S. border, the terminology used to designate glucose levels—the heart of diabetes management—is different, a wrinkle that turns American books into gibberish for Canadians.

The typical format of the “Dummies” books is fully present here: substantial content delivered in a light, non-intimidating tone; lots of cross-references; layman’s language overall, with technical explanations isolated in easy-to-skip sections; information frequently reduced to bullet points for clarity; tips, hints, and warnings identified with icons; a glossary and index intended to be used. These features make it easy to skim the work, picking out information on a need-to-know basis.

The text covers type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, as well as issues specific to various age groups (infants, teens, elderly) and circumstances (pregnancy, travel, employment, genetic heritage). Topics covered include emotional, psychological, and physical impacts of the disease, the principles of good diabetes care, glucose monitoring, other health indicators to monitor, handling hypoglycemic emergencies, long-term complications, medications, alternate therapies, common misunderstandings, and food groups.

With a full arsenal of current information, reassurances, encouragement, FAQs, tips, and examples, diabetes is presented as a “whole body problem,” with considerable emphasis on how to not let diabetes define one’s life. The book differs from previous works on the subject by having the most current information and a new, encouraging tone.