What to do about Diabetes in Children and Youth?

B

ook Name: Diabetes in Children and Youth (Makkalu Mattu Yuvajanaralli Madhumeha)

Author: Dr. Kaushik Ural H

Associate Professor, Pediatric Diabetes and Hormone Specialist, Department of Pediatrics, KMC, Manipal

Original (English and Hindi): Dr. Eesh Bhatia, Dr. Vijayalakshmi Bhatia

Publisher: Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Mahe, Manipal

1. What is the book about?

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This is a medical guidebook written in simple Kannada for parents and young patients, about diabetes that occurs in children and adolescents (Mainly Type-1 Diabetes).

The book generally covers these topics:

- What is diabetes? Difference between Type-1 and Type-2

- Symptoms: Excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, fatigue

- About Insulin: Why insulin is needed, how to inject it, how to store it

- Diet and Lifestyle: Diet plan for children, precautions to be taken at school, play and exercise

- Blood sugar testing (Glucometer), HbA1c

- Emergency conditions: What to do when Low Sugar (Hypoglycemia) and High Sugar (DKA) occurs

2. Who will find this book useful?

- For parents whose child has been newly diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes - it works like a first guide.

- For ASHA workers, nurses, pediatricians, school teachers.

- For anyone who wants to understand diabetes in simple Kannada.

3. Review - Positives

- Very simple language: Explained in common Kannada without using big medical terms.

- Credible source: It comes from a large institution like KMC Manipal, and the original authors are renowned Endocrinologists of the country.

- Removes fear: It removes the fear that life is over once you have diabetes, and gives confidence that a normal life can be led with proper care.

- Practical advice: Not just theory, it emphasizes what to do in daily life.

4. Limitations

This is like a small booklet given by the hospital to parents, not a large textbook. So it may not have in-depth scientific discussion or much detail about new technologies like Insulin Pump, CGM.

Final Opinion:

If a child in your family or relatives has diabetes, this is a must-read book for every parent to keep at home. When you forget the doctor's words, this book reminds you.

Apeksha R. Tandel