Hello ,
You've probably watched someone you love struggle with the pain and lifestyle changes associated with diabetes. If you're getting near the age they were when problems started, or have a generally known family history of diabetes, then you know the importance of doing all you can to protect yourself from this pervasive disease.
Unfortunately, diabetes is in the future for many of us. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that diabetes affects more than 30 million Americans, including children, adolescents and adults.
About 12 percent of American adults age 18 and older have it, and living into your 70s, 80s or beyond means a significantly increased risk that you'll develop diabetes.
- More than half of all Americans who have diabetes are over age 60.
- Of those over age 65, almost 1 in 5 has diabetes.
The good news is that there are many effective steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, the most common form. If you have an early stage of type 2 diabetes (prediabetes), you may be able to prevent the development of full-blown disease.
In one study, people who made important lifestyle changes reduced the risk of progression from prediabetes to diabetes by 71 percent! If you already have type 2 diabetes, don't give up. Lifestyle changes and drug therapy can help you keep the disease under control.
Recent years have brought an increased focus among doctors and public health experts on diabetes. We want to help you use this latest medical knowledge to enjoy a healthy future — one that’s either free of diabetes, or that manages diabetes effectively so that you can focus more on enjoying your life.
In Mayo Clinic The Essential Diabetes Book you'll find the latest guidelines on diagnosis and testing, as well as valuable self-care tips. You'll learn the best ways we know to prevent or manage diabetes, and why it is so vital to reduce your risk.
- Why is diabetes so prevalent today — have our genes changed? No, but other things have … and the good news here is that you have control over those “other things.”
- Are you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes? Our eight-point checklist reveals the answer.
- Whether your risk is high or low, knowing the seven signs and symptoms of diabetes is vital to getting appropriate treatment much more quickly.
- Following a healthy diet is important. Eating foods with the right balance of key ingredients is critical to your future good health.
- People with type 2 diabetes tend to be overweight. The Essential Diabetes Book helps you identify and correct the obstacles that are holding you back from achieving a healthy weight. You'll find lots of practical tips from one of Mayo's leading experts on weight management, Donald Hensrud, M.D.
Diabetes can't be cured, but it can be prevented if you take the right steps. If you already have diabetes, the treatments are better than ever.
This book has the latest help Mayo Clinic can offer. If you read through it with a positive attitude, it will not only help add years to your life, it'll also help you enjoy them. Get your copy today for the low cost of $29.95.
Yours in good health,
Regina Castro, M.D.
Medical Editor-in-Chief
