BOOK REVIEW: Take Control of Diabetes
Reviewer: Ishaya Ibrahim
Dr Joe Tarkon’s ‘Take Control of Diabetes,’ is more than a health book. It is a medical dictionary, health advisory, lifestyle manual and a healthy living guide.
In 122 pages, Dr Tarkon makes the knowledge of living and managing diabetes simple to grasp. He used relatable words, information and examples that easily delivered the message.
The book has 25 chapters, each with a unique message, each with a unique problem to solve.
Chapter one opens with the basics. What is Diabetes? The author provides the answer not merely stating what it is, or what it is not. He used anecdotes, listicles and definitions to explain the problem. By doing so, he provides more than surface knowledge of diabetes. He gives deeper insight.
He tells us that the Pancreas (an organ near the stomach) produces insulin. The Insulin in turn, helps sugar or glucose to move from the blood into the cells. The result is energy for the body to function.
Dr Tarkon also shows how diabetes occurs. He explains that when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, the glucose won’t enter the cells efficiently, leading to insulin resistance. He describes the situation as having a key that doesn’t quite fit the lock.
In chapter two and three, which is an extension of the knowledge of diabetes, the author avoids a major challenge common to writers in the medical genre – overloading readers with medical terms. He explains how the body processes sugar, the types of Diabetes, their causes and symptoms without sounding too technical.
In chapter four and five, he drills down into the science of diabetes, signs that complications may be developing and how to respond.
It is in chapter six to 10 that the author takes on the central theme of the book- Taking Control. Here, he talks about food, making smart choices of what to eat, when to eat, the place of exercises, and sleep. He argues against strict dietary deprivation. He makes the point that no special foods are required – a healthy diabetes meal plan is healthy for everyone.
In chapter 11 to 13, the author goes fully into medicine while limiting it to educational purpose. He helps the reader to understand the different medications, their side effects, managing medication costs and understanding and using insulin.
In chapter 14 to 18, Dr Tarkon helps the diabetes patient to enjoy the best of life with the right action plan, which includes routinely checking blood sugar, blood pressure, medications, eating balanced diets, doing exercise and avoiding stressful engagements.
The book, ‘Take Control of Diabetes’ fulfills the objective it sets out to achieve, which is to empower patients with the knowledge to stay ahead of the disease. It is a book suitable for everyone, whether a sufferer or not.
