Diabetes: Symptoms, Prevention and New Revolutions

INTRODUCTION

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This blog has been created to serve as a tool for those seeking more information about diabetes's symptoms, its effects, the differences between type 1 and type 2, how to prevent yourself from getting diabetes, and some new ways scientists have come up with to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
First, here is some quick history and facts about diabetes. Even thought the first sign of diabetes was made by an Egyptian physician in 1552 B.C. no major research was performed until the beginning of the eighteen hundreds (1). Over the next 120 years the mystery of diabetes was slowly uncovered, tests were run and with every year doctors got close towards uncovering a safe treatment. Special food diets were used and the idea of injecting treatment was brought into light. But it was not until 1920 when a doctor in London introduced the idea of insulin to treat diabetes(1). From there major strides were taken toward simpler and more effective ways to treating diabetes. In 1959 it was found that there are two different types of diabetes one requiring insulin, and one not requiring insulin.(1)
Today there is still no cure for Diabetes but it has become much easier for those dependent on insulin shots and everyday researchers are getting closer to new and exciting ways to treat and eventually cure Diabetes.

SYMPTOMS

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(5)
Diabetes has very subtle symptoms that often times go over looked as some other illness or as a slight irritation. Its not unheard of people going months without realizing they have something wrong with them. Here is what to look out for:

1.) frequent urination
2.) Constant Thirst
3.) Constant Hunger
4.) Weight Loss
5.) Fatigue
6.) Irritable
7.) Blurred Vision
(1, All About Diabetes)

If one goes unchecked while having Diabetes they are at risk of getting a condition called ketoacidosis which means their is too much sugar in one's blood, your ph level in one's blood raises, and one could end up in a Diabetic coma. Also without treating these symptoms one can become extremely malnourished because sugar from foods stay in your blood and are not digested properly.
Once one has realized they have Diabetes they may have on of two types, simply named type 1 and type 2. Type one is a form of diabetes where the patient is reliant on insulin because their pancreas lacks islet cells therefore they can not produce insulin, these cells were discovered by a German medical student named Paul Langerhans in 1869(2). Then in type 2 diabetes the patient has islet cells but they need to take care of them through a specific diet, they can eventually lose these islet cells and become dependent on insulin but they also have the ability to gain islet cells back.

PREVENTION

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(1)
Although there are ways to prevent type 2 diabetes type 1 diabetes is heredity based. In the case of type 1 diabetes a patient can either be born without any islet cells in the pancreas or their islet cells will disappear later in life. Its hard to tell when type 1 diabetes will show itself, it may begin at birth or later in life. Its important that if you are related to anyone who has type 1 diabetes then you get checked regularly.
Type 2 diabetes is much more flexible.Those with type two diabetes have the ability to regain their islet cells and maintain them through a healthy diet. In the case of type 2 diabetes one begins with a condition called "pre-diabetes" where one's blood glucose levels are unusually high(1, Pre-Diabetes). If one catches them self in this stage and start to take action to lower their blood sugar through healthy diet and exercise then they can delay type 2 diabetes from ever surfacing. According to the American Diabetes Association thirty minutes of physical activity a day and a 5% to 10% reduction in body weight can reduce your chance of getting Diabetes by up to 58%(1, Pre-Diabetes). The American Diabetes Association has several tests one can run to check one's risk of getting diabetes.
The most common ethnic groups that are affected by Diabetes are African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans. Its important that if you fall under this category that you understand the higher risk and its important to get checked (1, Pre-Diabetes).

INNOVATIONS IN TREATMENT

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Since insulin was discovered as the best way to treat Diabetes new and exciting ways have been developed which help make treatment faster and simpler. Injections of insulin began by having to use a disposable syringe and measure the amount of insulin needed before every meal. Now there are injection pens that are easily carried with disposable
(7)
needles. Also recently more and more pumps are being used, a patient has a small insulin pump attached to them that easily injects insulin without having to re-inject yourself.
In the case of type 2 diabetes, pills have been developed that slowly releases insulin throughout the course of the week. This once weekly
pill is a major jump from the usual twice-daily pill. This pill is still being tested but is showing promise (3)
Some other recent revolutionary treatment attempts include an internal pump that basically replaces one's pancreas, comparable to the mechanical heart. Watches and other pumps have been created which check a patient's blood sugar periodically. Also researchers have recently come up with way of inhaling insulin, although there are debates on whether or not it is as affective as injections.
Lastly doctors have begun to look into replacing patient's islet cells although this procedure is debated as being unrealistic. In order to remove a donor's islet cells the donor has to be dead and since there are a significant number of Diabetes patients it would be hard to decide who got a donor's islet cells.
With every innovation, doctors are making it easier for Diabetes patients to live life normally and every day researchers get close to eventually a permanent cure to this condition.

REFERENCES

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1.) American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp. Accessed 2008 Jan 18.

2.) Canadian Diabetes Association. The History of Diabetes. http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/timeline.asp. Accessed 2008 Jan 17.

3.) Megget K. 2007 Oct 10. Once-Weekly Diabetes Treatment Looking Good. http://www.in-pharmatechnologist.com. Accessed 2008 Jan 18.

4.) http://static.hsw.com.br/gif/understanding-diabetes-ga-2.jpg. Accessed 2008 Jan 19.

5.) http://www.myhometownpharmacy.com/images/diabetes/dia_symptoms.jpg. Accessed Jan 19.

6.) http://images.healthcentersonline.com/diabetes/images/article/IsletCellTransplant.jpg. Accessed 2008 Jan 19.

7.) http://www.minimed.com/images/pf_paradigm_pumps_512.jpg. Accessed Jan 19.