THE LATEST ADVANCEMENTS IN DIABETES TREATMENT
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder resulting in high blood sugar levels. Insulin production by your body is either insufficient or it cannot be utilised properly. Insulin is a hormone that transports glucose from the blood into your cells where it can be stored or utilised as fuel. You can develop diabetes if this isn’t working properly. Diabetes-related high blood sugar left untreated can harm your kidneys, nerves, eyes, and other organs. However, you can safeguard your health by learning about diabetes and taking measures to prevent or control it.
TYPES OF DIABETES
The three primary kinds of diabetes are:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
Type 1 Diabetes
An autoimmune response is assumed to be the aetiology of type 1 diabetes. This response prevents your body from producing insulin. Type 1 diabetes affects roughly 5–10% of people with diabetes. Type 1 diabetes symptoms frequently appear suddenly. Typically, it is discovered in kids, teenagers, and young adults. You must regularly administer insulin if you’re diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
When you have type 2 diabetes, your body struggles to properly utilise insulin and maintain appropriate blood sugar levels. The majority of diabetics (90–95%) are type 2. It takes many years to develop and is typically diagnosed in adults, however increasingly, it is also found in kids, teenagers, and young adults. If you are at risk, it is crucial to have your blood sugar tested because you might not exhibit any symptoms. This type of diabetes can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthy lifestyle modifications like:
- Losing weight
- Eating a balanced diet
- Being active.
Gestational Diabetes
Women who never suffered from diabetes before can acquire gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your unborn child may be more susceptible to health issues. After your baby is born, gestational diabetes typically disappears. However, it raises your chance of developing type 2 diabetes in later life. Your child has a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life and becoming obese as a child or adolescent.
PREDIABETES
The term “prediabetes” implies a condition when your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. It happens when your body’s cells don’t react to insulin as it should. Type 2 diabetes may develop as a result later.
TREATMENT FOR DIABETES
Whatever form of diabetes you have, it’s essential to cooperate closely with your doctor to deal with it. The major objective is to maintain blood glucose levels within the desired range. Your desired range will be specified by your doctor. The type of diabetes, age, and presence of comorbidities all affect the targets.
Treating Type 1 Diabetes
Since pancreatic damage from type 1 diabetes is irreversible, everyone with the disease must take insulin. Different insulin kinds are available, each with a unique onset, peak, and duration. Another option is to use an insulin pump, a machine worn outside the body that may be programmed to release a particular amount. You might also need to take medicine to control your cholesterol, high blood pressure, or other issues, as appropriate.
Treating Type 2 Diabetes
Through diet and exercise, type 2 diabetes can occasionally be controlled and even reversed. In order to assist control blood sugar, it can also be treated with a range of drugs Metformin, also known as Glumetza, Glucophage, Fortamet, and Riomet, is typically the first-line treatment. This medication works by lowering the liver’s ability to produce glucose.
Treating Gestational Diabetes
The majority of pregnant women with gestational diabetes are able to properly manage their blood sugar levels with diet and exercise, while some will also need to take oral diabetic medications or insulin.
ADVANCEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF DIABETES
Numerous advancements in the control and treatment of diabetes were revealed, ranging from new drugs to immunological therapy.
New Medications
The FDA has recently approved a number of new drugs for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. These drugs function in various ways to enhance insulin sensitivity and control blood sugar levels. The following are some of the most recent medications:
- SGLT2 inhibitors: SGLT2 inhibitors aid in the removal of glucose from the body by the kidneys. This may lower blood sugar levels and lower the risk of renal, heart, and stroke illness.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists: These substances increase the synthesis of insulin and suppress hunger. This can support weight loss and reduce blood sugar levels.
- DPP-4 inhibitors: DPP-4 inhibitors prevent the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone from being broken down, hence lowering blood sugar levels. GLP-1 aids in boosting insulin production and decreasing hunger.
Bariatric Surgery For Type 2 Diabetes
Bariatric (weight-loss) surgery has traditionally been used to help people manage extreme obesity. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in persons who are highly obese has been found to increase, and research has shown that these surgical techniques can help decrease the impact of type 2 diabetes or perhaps put it into remission.
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM)
Every few minutes, these devices monitor the level of glucose in the fluid between cells with a tiny sensor that is positioned beneath the skin’s surface, and they wirelessly communicate the information to a device or your smartphone. Your levels are checked by CGMs at predetermined intervals throughout the day, like every 5 minutes. This can assist you and your doctor in identifying trends and patterns that may be useful in adjusting your type 2 diabetes treatment plan to improve management.
Immunotherapy
Tzield is the brand name for the medication teplizumab-mzwv. It is an injectable intended to prevent stage 3 type 1 diabetes from developing in adults and paediatric patients with stage 2 type 1 diabetes who are eight years old and older. This recently licenced drug binds to particular immune cells, delaying the disease’s progression. It might even turn off immune cells that attack the cells in your body that make insulin while boosting the number of cells that help control immune response. It is recommended that this injectable drug be administered daily for a total of 14 days.
Artificial Pancreas
Newer forms of treatment, such as artificial pancreas systems, use technology to imitate a healthy pancreas’ function. For automatic insulin delivery as needed throughout the day, these systems pair an insulin pump with a continuous glucose monitor. This can aid in better blood sugar regulation and lower the danger of complications from type 2 diabetes.
CONCLUSION
The most recent improvements in the treatment of diabetes give patients new ways to control their blood sugar levels and lower their risk of complications. However, certain diabetic patients may benefit from alternative treatment for diabetes that are not included in conventional medical care. But in order to effectively manage diabetes, it’s crucial to be aware of their limitations. Therefore, before undergoing any alternative therapies, you ought to speak to your doctor.