Hypoglycemia Unawareness/Low Blood Sugar http://www.lunch.com/diabetesshareline http://www.lunch.com/HealthyLifestyle/reviews/d/UserReview-Diabetes-108-1426534-161029.html http://www.lunch.com/HealthyLifestyle/reviews/d/UserReview-Diabetes-108-1426534-161029.html Sat, 18 Sep 2010 07:50:52 +0000 Diabetes is no laughing matter.  I know first hand because as a result of this malady my grandmother had to have a leg amputated a year or two before she passed away.  It was heartbreaking to see.  Recently I read an extremely informative book called "Diabesity:  The Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America--And What We Must Do to Stop It ".   Author Frances Kaufman M.D. knows from whence she speaks.   As a past president of the American Diabetes Association Kaufman points out that each and every one of us must make important lifestyle choices on a daily basis.  She wrote "Diabesity" to present us with the cold, hard facts about diabetes.  It is not a pretty picture.  She hopes that the facts presented in her book will convince some of us to change our ways.  She makes many simple and practical suggestions.  For me, the thought of possibly having to cope with this disease on a daily basis for the rest of my life is quite sombering indeed.  Diabetes is in my family and we recently lost my 88 year old aunt who suffered for 8 months from complications from this disease before she passed away.  Dr. Kaufman has certainly gotten my attention! 

Meanwhile, "Diabesity" also discusses significant public policy issues.  How is it that we have allowed our schools to be infiltrated by giant corporations who peddle their soft drinks and fast foods to our young people?  As Dr. Kaufman points out the National School Lunch Program which was established in the 1950's to provide nutritious meals at a low subsidized price has been to varying degrees augmented and in many cases supplanted by what are termed "competitive foods".  I had never heard the term.  "Competitive foods" compete with USDA meals and are sold at the snack line in the cafeteria and in innumerable vending machines at the schools. You might have guessed that what is being sold here is soda, snack cakes, chips, hot dogs, french fries and pizza.  You get the picture.  It is an outrage!  Happily, as Dr. Kaufman points out, some enlightened school districts have begun to fight back.  "Diabesity" also delves into a number of other public policy questions that I can report make for extremely informative reading.

Finally, Dr. Kaufman has used the pages of her book to introduce us to some of the diabetes patients she has treated over the years.  This is real eye-opener!  She has been able to help a good many of them and has had the satisfaction of seeing many go on to lead nearly normal lives.  But then there are those who she was not able to help.  Dr. Kaufman allows the reader to share in a very personal way her frustrations and her sadness.  It is compelling reading. "Diabesity:  The Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America--And What We Must Do to Stop It" will enlighten you about the realities of diabetes.  It is a book that just might change your life.   It was not a book that I was anxious to read but one that I felt was important to read.  

A 2007 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the prevalence of diabetes has risen  5% annually since 1990,  Today over 23 million Americans have some form of this disease.  The sad thing is that for many of us diabetes is preventable.  The information we need is out there but too few of us take the time to read it.  For far too many Americans diabetes is a self inflicted malady.   Let us all pledge to get the critical information we need about this insidious disease and begin to make healthier choices in our lives. ]]> http://www.lunch.com/diabetesshareline/reviews/d/UserReview-Diabetes-176-1426534-13739-The_number_of_adults_with_diabetes_worldwide_has.html http://www.lunch.com/diabetesshareline/reviews/d/UserReview-Diabetes-176-1426534-13739-The_number_of_adults_with_diabetes_worldwide_has.html Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:23:10 +0000 "Diabesity:  The Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America--And What We Must Do to Stop It " author Francine Kaufman M.D, a past president of the American Diabetes Association, points out that these are among the dozens of choices each of us must make on a daily basis.  She wrote "Diabesity" to present us with the cold, hard facts about diabetes.  It is not a pretty picture.  Perhaps she will convince some of us to change our ways.  She makes many simple and practical suggestions in this book.  For me, the thought of possibly having to cope with this disease on a daily basis for the rest of my life is quite sombering indeed.  What is even more alarming is that both of my fathers parents were afflicted with diabetes in their older years.  Dr. Kaufman has gotten my attention!

But "Diabesity" is also a book about public policy.  How is it that we have allowed our schools to be infiltrated by giant corporations who peddle their soft drinks and fast foods to our young people? As Dr. Kaufman points out the National School Lunch Program which was established in the 1950's to provide nutritious meals at a low subsidized price has been to varying degrees augmented and in many cases supplanted by what are termed "competitive foods".  I had never heard the term.  "Competitive foods" compete with USDA meals and are sold at the snack line in the cafeteria and in innumerable vending machines at the schools. You might have guessed that what is being sold here is soda, snack cakes, chips, hot dogs, french fries and pizza.  You get the picture.  It is an outrage!  Happily, as Dr. Kaufman points out, some enlightened school districts have begun to fight back.  "Diabesity" also delves into a number of other public policy questions that I can report make for extremely informative reading.

Finally, Dr. Kaufman has used the pages of her book to introduce us to some of the diabetes patients she has treated over the years.  She has been able to help a good many of them and has had the satisfaction of seeing many go on to lead nearly normal lives.  But then there are those who she was not able to help.  Dr. Kaufman allows the reader to share in a very personal way her frustrations and her sadness.  It is compelling reading. "Diabesity:  The Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America--And What We Must Do to Stop It" will enlighten you about the realities of diabetes.  It is a book that just might change your life.  It was not a book that I was anxious to read but one that I felt was important to read.    Very highly recommended!]]> http://www.lunch.com/diabetesshareline/reviews/book/UserReview-Diabesity_The_Obesity_Diabetes_Epidemic_That_Threatens_America_And_What_We_Must_Do_To_Stop_It-176-1381339-6344-Read_this_book_and_you_will_understand_why_taxing.html http://www.lunch.com/diabetesshareline/reviews/book/UserReview-Diabesity_The_Obesity_Diabetes_Epidemic_That_Threatens_America_And_What_We_Must_Do_To_Stop_It-176-1381339-6344-Read_this_book_and_you_will_understand_why_taxing.html Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:25:58 +0000