Certified Diabetes Educator Theresa Garnero says, "Diabetes is a balancing act and much more than a numbers game. It is a disease that requires paying attention to detail, while trying to maintain a positive attitude." Her new book, Your First Year With Diabetes: What to Do, Month by Month, offers detailed advice and tips focused towards making small, attainable lifestyle changes. The goal is to make diabetes manageable, not overwhelming.
The First 28 Days With Diabetes
The books starts with day-by-day advice for the first 28 days. The focus is on helping people understand what diabetes is, and the changes necessary to lead a normal and healthy life.
For instance, the topics for the first week include an explanation of the different types of diabetes and the effects of each on the body, a description of the different kinds of glucose tests available and how to choose the appropriate one, and a discussion of the decision to take medication.
The basics of the first week don't focus on just the mechanics of diabetes. The first day looks at what Garnero calls "mind matters," explaining how to mentally approach a diagnosis of diabetes. There's also discussion of the importance of a safety net, encouraging the reader to establish a network of support people to help share the burden of diabetes.
The First Year With Diabetes
After the daily topics of the first 28 days, the year is broken down with week-by-week guidelines covering a wide variety of issues. These range from such topics as the spiritual benefits of yoga, to practical details like eating a balanced diet to control glucose levels and the importance of proper footwear. Garnero even approaches seldom discussed concerns such as sexual health and intimacy.
There are also discussions of risks that many readers may not initially associate with diabetes. High blood pressure and the associated medications, vision and dental health, hearing loss and Alzheimer's - all are areas of increased concern for the diabetic, and Garnero devotes time to each.
Each day and week closes with a checklist to help the reader track progress. There is also a monthly review sheet to help summarize which lifestyle changes were successful and which were not. These reviews help readers re-focus goals and progress throughout the year.
With its easy to use worksheets, charts, and hundreds of questions and answers, Your First Year With Diabetes offers both inspiration and easy to understand practical advice to manage the realities of diabetes.
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Your First Year with Diabetes: What to Do, Month by Month, by Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE. Publisher: American Diabetes Association, ISBN: 978-1-58040-301-6.
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