Diabetes on the Offensive
Announcing the 3rd Edition of The TCOYD Book
I t dawned on me recently while thinking about my favorite pro football team, the San Diego Chargers, that with all the new advances in diabetes screening, diagnosis and treatment strategies, those of us living with diabetes can now be on the offensive in terms of our health care, instead of just defending against what seemed to be the inevitable dreaded complications of the disease. We can now aggressively tackle diabetes in a more pro-active, more effective and safer manner than we have ever been able to do before. However, the big problem, as I see it, is that there is a lack of education, for both the caregivers in this country and the people living with diabetes, about these new advances and there is lack of access to these new drugs and devices.
The future of diabetes care is here and now. It is up to you to go after it.
Recently, I was inspired to tackle the 3rd edition of The TCOYD Book because of the many advances that have become available since the second edition was printed, and by the many joyful and moving experiences I have appreciated over the years working with people living with diabetes. The 3rd edition comprises new and updated chapters written by professionals, many of whom have diabetes themselves.
New chapters include the development of continuous glucose monitoring, a revolutionary technology that will change the lives of people with diabetes on insulin, and that has had a tremendous impact on my life. Dr. Patrick Boyle wrote a new chapter devoted to the prevention and treatment of hypoglycemia, a serious condition that is becoming increasingly common as people with diabetes are pushed to keep their blood sugars closer and closer to "normal". Dr. Cynthia Stuenkel has contributed a chapter on special concerns of women with diabetes, such as menopause, osteoporosis and menstrual irregularities. Dr. Janet Trowbridge explores common skin and nail problems seen in people with diabetes, and smart ways to treat dermatological issues. Obstructive sleep apnea is now recognized as a common condition among people with diabetes and is directly responsible for many abnormalities including glucose control problems. Pulmonologist Dr. Aaron Morse sheds significant light on this condition and how to diagnosis and treat it effectively.
This fresh edition will also cover the many new advances in medications and technology that have recently been made available. New drugs include insulin analogs Apidra and Levemir; Exubera, the much anticipated inhaled insulin; Symlin, for flattening out post-prandial blood glucose values in type 1s; Byetta, the substance discovered in the saliva of the Gila monster; and Januvia, for stimulating insulin and digestive hormones in type 2s.
The most up to date information, data and published research about the prevention of diabetes will also be discussed. Of course, you won't want to miss my commentary on all these developments. I am confident that by reading this book you will become educated and motivated to be the most active member of your health care team.
It has been my privilege to work side-by-side with dedicated diabetes professionals who have volunteered their time and expertise to author important chapters in the TCOYD book, and to help make TCOYD the premier patient education organization worldwide that it is today. Lastly, I am continually supported by my loving family and the hard working TCOYD team that believes in the mission and vision of Taking Control Of Your Diabetes.
Tackle the challenges of living with diabetes! Stay on the offensive with your diabetes care.
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