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Diabetes: From the Ebers Papyrus to Cell Technology
From the Ebers Papyrus to Stem Cell Technology is a complete history of the disease from the first recognition of symptoms in ancient Egypt in 1536 BC to modern times when technology and surgical options became available to treat and manage the condition. This book explores major themes such as the discovery of insulin in 1921; the ultimate recognition that high blood glucose levels lead to secondary chronic and devastating complications such as blindness and serious nerve damage, heart disease, stroke and kidney failure - and many lesser known complications of the condition - including how these may be stabilised and in many cases improved. This work investigates the growth of diabetes-based knowledge, leading to the use of modern treatment options and medical breakthroughs in the search for a cure. The use of cutting-edge technology to treat and manage Type 1 diabetes is examined, both objectively and subjectively, from the author's own experience of using these therapies and devices. Transplant options are also investigated, as is the ever-increasing epidemic of Type 2 diabetes around the world. Reversal of this condition, which may go undiagnosed for up to 12 years before it is recognised, is potentially possible in as many as ninety per cent of cases with regular exercise and by adopting a diet that is not rich is refined carbohydrates. This book results from research over the past four years exploring available literature concerning diabetes in ancient times, through the middle ages, scientific period, the discovery of insulin, and developments and advances in understanding as they occurred. This title will be of interest to anyone with diabetes; carers, family and friends of those individuals; and also medical historians. Because one million people per year are currently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the USA alone and the condition is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a dangerously growing epidemic currently affecting 350 million people around the world, it has a definite international significance. Whilst there are a number of titles available that explore aspects of diabetes such as the discovery of insulin, or the pathophysiology and treatment of the condition, a complete history of diabetes from the first recognition of symptoms similar to those of Type 1 diabetes in ancient Egyptian times to present day technological developments has been overlooked. By contrast From the Ebers Papyrus to Stem Cell Technology explores and analyses all reported aspects of diabetes from 1536 BC to present day.
First published July 4, 2013
About the author
Val Wilson
9 books85 followersDr Val Wilson is an academic with a Ph.D and MSc. in diabetes health education, as well as having had Type 1 diabetes for 43 years. Her mission is to help others with diabetes, health professionals and carers by providing information, education and support through her diabetes books.
In 2016, DIABETES: FROM THE EBERS PAPYRUS TO STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY won a silver award from the Non-Fiction Authors' Association. HOW TO LIVE WELL WITH DIABETES has been nominated for the 2020/2021 British Medical Association book awards and most recently, HOW TO REDUCE YOUR CHILD'S SUGAR INTAKE, was published in January 2021.
Dr Wilson is published by Robinson, Little, Brown Book Group.
In 2016, DIABETES: FROM THE EBERS PAPYRUS TO STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY won a silver award from the Non-Fiction Authors' Association. HOW TO LIVE WELL WITH DIABETES has been nominated for the 2020/2021 British Medical Association book awards and most recently, HOW TO REDUCE YOUR CHILD'S SUGAR INTAKE, was published in January 2021.
Dr Wilson is published by Robinson, Little, Brown Book Group.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 3, 2020
This fantastic book takes us from ancient times (1536 BC) at the first mention of the symptoms associated with diabetes and takes a good look at the medical knowledge available as it appeared in the areas of Egypt, India, Persia, China, and Greece. Reporting any significant advances towards the understanding of diabetes throughout the centuries, this book takes us up into modern times, with the discovery of Insulin, and talks about the technology available to us now.
The book is one everyone who is diabetic should read. I also read "How To Live Well with Diabetes" which is another must read for anyone who wants to manage their condition properly. I so wish I'd had these books available when I was diagnosed.
Five Stars, Dr. Wilson!
The book is one everyone who is diabetic should read. I also read "How To Live Well with Diabetes" which is another must read for anyone who wants to manage their condition properly. I so wish I'd had these books available when I was diagnosed.
Five Stars, Dr. Wilson!
March 23, 2020
One advantage of coronavirus self-isolation is being able to get on with my reading! Diabetes: From the Ebers Papyrus to Stem Cell Technology takes a fascinating journey back to ancient Egypt, where the symptoms of diabetes were first noticed but not understood. Several ancient cultures treated the disease in a similar way due to lack of understanding. Finally, some recognition came in the 17th century that the blood and urine of people with diabetes contained sugar. The scientific age saw great strides in understanding of the condition until eventually, in 1921, insulin was discovered: a life-saver for people with Type 1 diabetes. Those with Type 2 also had medication to reduce their sugar levels.From then on, leaps and bounds in diabetes research and understanding have led us to present day where we have blood sugar meters in our homes, and the disease is treated with modern technology so people are healthier and surviving longer. This is an excellent book and well-worth a read if you have diabetes and ever wondered how people used t manage the condition before any treatments became available.
March 4, 2020
A well-written fascinating look into diabetes as a medical discovery and how the ancients, scientists and modern-day doctors have striven to find a cause of the classic symptoms. A must-read for anyone with diabetes and for any medical professional. Very highly recommended.
March 11, 2020
A very comprehensive, well-researched history of diabetes. I found it fascinating and would thoroughly recommend this book.
March 5, 2020
A really fascinating journey through the history of diabetes. I thoroughly recommend.
March 9, 2020
A very detailed history of diabetes from the first time symptoms were notices in ancient Egypt up until present day, covering symptoms, treatments (often very wrong ones using honey) and technological advances in diabetes care.
February 25, 2020
Having recently read a diabetes self-help guide by this author, I remembered I'd read this book a couple of years ago. If you're curious about medical history, Diabetes: From the Ebers Papyrus to Stem Cell Technology covers everything from the first mention of the symptoms of diabetes in ancient Egypt, right up to modern day treatments.
This book is thoroughly researched and contains a wealth of fascinating facts and often bizarre treatments before there was a proper understanding that diabetes is an imbalance of sugar in the bloodstream. An excellent read for the curious; you'll be amazed at what you find out!
This book is thoroughly researched and contains a wealth of fascinating facts and often bizarre treatments before there was a proper understanding that diabetes is an imbalance of sugar in the bloodstream. An excellent read for the curious; you'll be amazed at what you find out!
February 15, 2020
A fascinating insight into the history of diabetes and how an effective treatment came about. This book is thoroughly researched and goes back to ancient Egypt when symptoms of diabetes were first recognised. If you are interested in the history of medicine, you'll definitely enjoy this book.
June 19, 2017
A history of diabetes from Ancient Egyptian times when symptoms of this condition were first recorded to the use of modern day technology to manage blood glucose levels.
April 23, 2020
A really interesting read going from the first time symptoms of diabetes were noticed in ancient Egypt up until modern day, with the use of technology to manage blood sugar levels. This book would interest anyone who has ever wondered how diabetes was treated in olden times and anyone looking for a really good history of diabetes.
July 22, 2020
An excellent chronology of diabetes, its symptoms and treatment from ancient times to modern day, covering everything from how patients managed before there was insulin or medication to stem cell treatments to reverse Type 1 diabetes.
April 21, 2020
A really interesting and comprehensive history of diabetes.
April 22, 2020
A fascinating look at the history of diabetes. I thoroughly enjoyed the discovery of how modern diabetes medicine came about. Highly recommended.
July 26, 2020
A very comprehensive history of diabetes from ancient times to modern day. Brilliant insightful and and fascinating to read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews