Book description
A clear explanation of the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes
Written for a broad range of readers, including students,
researchers, policymakers, health care providers, and diabetes
patients and caregivers, this book explains the underlying
biochemistry and physiology of diabetes mellitus. Each chapter
contains a glossary that defines key terms, a summary that highlights
essential concepts discussed in each section of the chapter, as well
as a set of simple problems to help readers gain a richer and deeper
understanding of diabetes, from its history to treatment options.
Understanding Diabetes begins with an overview of the disease,
its worldwide prevalence and cost, and its connection to the global
obesity epidemic. The author then explores the history of diabetes,
including the first documented description of the disease dating back
to 3400 BCE in Ancient Egypt. The next chapter, A Glucose Metabolism
Primer, sets forth the pathways for the metabolism of glucose. Next,
the book covers:
- Regulation of glucose metabolism and glucose metabolism gone wrong
- Diabetes classification system
- Diagnosis, including current laboratory tests
- Complications, such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and
cardiovascular disease
- Hereditary transmission
- Prevention and treatment, including emerging research
Although a cure has still not been found, this book demonstrates that
researchers are continuing to make major breakthroughs on all fronts
in the fight against diabetes, including a better understanding of its
causes and an improved ability to diagnose and treat the disease.
RICHARD F. DODS, PhD, D. ABCC, has studied, taught, and written
about diabetes mellitus for many years, beginning as a research
associate at New York University Medical School. As Director of
Clinical Chemistry at the Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital, Dr. Dods
published pioneering papers on the use of HbA1c as a test for
monitoring diabetes mellitus. Later, he established his own company,
Clinical Laboratory Consultants, which advised hospital and commercial
laboratories on the implementation and interpretation of assays and
the use of instruments for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease,
including diabetes.
