The future of diabetes

What is the future for diabetes? Is there a cure? Will there be a cure soon?

There is no cure for diabetes at this time but with continual research and technology, things are only getting better and more hopeful for diabetes.

A device that has been out for some time is called a continuous glucose monitor(CGM).

The CGM is on the left and the insulin pump and insertion site is on the right. 

CGM measures glucose levels 24/7 via a tiny electrode called a glucose sensor. This sensor is inserted under the skin to measure glucose levels in tissue fluid. It is connected to a transmitter that sends the information via wireless radio frequency to a monitoring and display device. The device then lets you know if your glucose is reaching a high or low limit.

This does not replace finger sticks.  The device requires 3-4 finger sticks per day to calibrate the sensor.  This is an especially great tool for small children who have labile glucose readings or for people who don’t feel their highs and lows.

Bionic pancreas

Below is a video that talks a little bit about the bionic pancreas.  The bionic pancreas is a device that continuously measures the blood glucose in a diabetics body and then automatically delivers as much insulin or glucagon needed to keep the blood glucose in a normal range.

Pancreas transplants

Although pancreas transplants or islet cell transplant seem like the best option for curing diabetes, it is not so easy as it seems.

Although islet cell and pancreas transplants are possible, they are not the first line treatment for a few reasons:

·      There are not enough human islets

·      The medications needed to prevent rejection cause side effects

·      The rejection medications are costly and have to be taken for the rest of the person’s life.

·      Increased possibility of infections

·      Low white blood cell count

·      Increase in cancer risk

My cousin who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at a very young age received a pancreas transplant almost a year ago.  It was the first one performed at Univeristy of Utah.  The link to read about it is here: First ever pancreas transplant at U of U

Sources:

http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/treatment-and-products/continuous-glucose-monitoring

Understanding Diabetes