Hypoglycemia for Dummies [Paperback]

Cheryl Chow (Author), James Chow M.D. (Author), M.D., James Chow (Author)

Book Description

Series: For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback) | Publication Date: February 3, 2003

If you’re hypoglycemic, you know that you don’t have to go to an amusement park to experience the roller coaster effect: your ups and downs are frequent and interfere with your quality of life. Your colleagues, family, and friends may be tired of your moods, your chronic fatigue, and your various aches and illnesses—none of which seem to have a clear cause. You get the jitters, you’re nervous, and you can get edgy and irritable at the drop of a hat, especially if you haven’t eaten in a while.

Now there’s a book to give you a better understanding of hypoglycemia and an easy-to-follow program for recovery. Hypoglycemia For Dummies sorts through the confusion surrounding this condition, presenting expert information on diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment options for anyone who suffers from this disease—or knows someone who does. You’ll discover the different types of hypoglycemia, the most common symptoms, and the link between hypoglycemia and diabetes. This p lain-English guide shows you how to:

• Diagnose low blood sugar
• Choose the best form of treatment for your condition
• Create a practical, healthy, doable diet
• Develop a enjoyable exercise regimen
• Deal with depression and anxiety
• Achieve and maintain your ideal weight

You’ll find step-by-step guidelines to help you get your blood sugar under control, as well as advice on finding the right doctor and setting up a support network.

Hypoglycemia For Dummies also covers:

• Overlapping syndromes, such as fibromyalgia and candidasis
• Glucose tolerance tests
• Easy ways to keep your diet in balance
• Easing symptoms and energizing with aerobics, yoga, and weights
• Vitamins and supplements
• Dealing with hypoglycemia in the workplace and in relationships
• Stress-reduction through breathing exercises, meditating, and self-hypnosis

Featuring delicious, healthy recipes that will ease your symptoms, tips for tackling temptation, and a list of helpful resources, Hypoglycemia For Dummies provides the information you need to get a handle on the disease, make changes in your lifestyle, and improve your well-being.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Features healthy recipes that will ease your symptoms

Curb temptation and create a plan that improves your well-being

Do you suffer from hypoglycemia – or know someone who does? This reassuring guide sorts through the confusion surrounding this condition, presenting expert information on diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment options. You’ll also find diet and exercise regimens, as well as advice on finding the right doctor and setting up a support network.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

About the Author

Cheryl Chow has been a writer, editor, and journalist for over 20 years.

James Chow, MD, is a member of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (February 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764554905
• ISBN-13: 978-0764554902
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,144,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars hypoglycemia for dummies, May 13, 2003

By 

Jeanette Jones (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hypoglycemia for Dummies (Paperback)

As someone who is sick of "being in the fog" from my hypoglycemia I greatly welcomed this book. I needed a book to talk TO me about all of the overwhelming info for treating this and not another book that gave a lot of medical jargon I don't need or understand. I love this book for its nonwordy descriptions of the basics of hypoglycemia- I could actually read this book and understand it all. The writers do a good job discussing the symptoms and what is happening in the body for hypoglycemia to occur. Just like my dietician prescribed for me, Cheryl Chow discusses eating a 40 carb 30 protein and 30 fats early on and then increase carbs if your body allows it. It shows a new "hypoglycemic" food pyramid that shows bread, grains, pasta moved 2 steps up and the veggie group is what you should have more of. (THANK YOU!!) The book does seem to contradict itself in places when discussing carbs(or they may be just trying to say everyone is going to be different).

The only things that bothered me about the book is that, while it does discuss a lot of different topics such as herbal supplements, vitamins, exercise in detail it would discuss other topics with just a sentence or two. Usually these were areas that I would want a lot more detail because I'm having difficulty with them. Of course there were some topics discussed that I really did not see why they were relevant (I guess it may help someone else though).The recipe section was a bit disappointing- only 14 recipies. So if you want more try the Low Blood Sugar Cookbook by Patricia and Edward Krimmel (he's hypo too) and also The Zone. The Zone is based on the 40/30/30 plan too.

52 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Think twice before buying this book which gives wrong information for hypoglycemics., July 13, 2005

By 

maryteresafaith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hypoglycemia for Dummies (Paperback)

I would advise against this book. The authors are ill-informed and suggest such things as kava kava which has been shown to cause liver failure and the recipes contain white flour and white bread which is detrimental to blood sugar. I recommend books written by those who actually suffer from hypoglycemia such as "Hypoglycemia: The Classic Healthcare Handbook" by Jeraldine Saunders or "The Low Blood Sugar Handbook" by Edward Krimmel and Patricia Krimmel.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great beginner book!, January 3, 2006

By 

Ben Osenbaugh - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hypoglycemia for Dummies (Paperback)

I read this book as a refresher and cannot imagine a more in-depth explanation of hypoglycemia and how to deal with it--emotionally and physically for beginners.

It does a great job of describing hypo and discussing the condition with friends and family. In addition, it helps explain what you should eat and when is the best time to do so. The only drawback I found was that the recipes included some of the things they say you should stay away from. However, after eating healthy and regularly, you will find that you can eat some of those things and not feel the effects. At the end of the day, you need to listen to your body and use the book as a tool.

Finally, I would also recommend reading Body for Life by Bill Phillips. His diet is something that hypo can and should use. He delves into the many different types of proteins and carbohydrates. He also has a Body for Life cookbook that I use 3-4 times per week. His cookbook offers easy to make recipes that would surpise you to find the meals so nutritionally sound.