Diabetes stem cell cure

Via http://www.timesonline.co.uk/

“Diabetics using stem-cell therapy have been able to stop taking insulin injections for the first time, after their bodies started to produce the hormone naturally again.

In a breakthrough trial, 15 young patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes were given drugs to suppress their immune systems followed by transfusions of stem cells drawn from their own blood.

The results show that insulin-dependent diabetics can be freed from reliance on needles by an injection of their own stem cells. The therapy could signal a revolution in the treatment of the condition, which affects more than 300,000 Britons.”

Using honey on diabetic ulsers to save amputation?

Via http://www.scienceblog.com/

“The sore on Catrina Hurlburt’s leg simply wouldn’t heal. Complications from a 2002 car accident left Hurlburt, a borderline diabetic, with recurring cellulitis and staph infections. One of those infections developed into a troublesome open sore that, despite the use of oral antibiotics, continued to fester for nearly eight months. Then Hurlburt’s physician, Jennifer Eddy of UW Health’s Eau Claire Family Medicine Clinic, suggested she try using topical honey. Within a matter of months, the sore had healed completely.”

Blood sugar measurement without needles using freakin’ lasers!

Via http://www.healthdecisions.org/

“Hong Kong scientists have invented a device to help diabetics measure their blood sugar painlessly for the first time without pricking their fingers. The size of a mobile phone, the instrument emits a weaker form of infrared, or near-infrared, which penetrates the skin on the finger and homes in on the bloodstream.”

Hospitalizations of Diabetic U.S. Children Surging

Via http://www.bloomberg.com/

“The number of U.S. children hospitalized by a form of diabetes almost tripled from 1997 to 2003, largely because of obesity, according to a study.

Children admitted with the ailment, Type 2 diabetes, had longer stays in hospitals and more diagnoses on record than patients with a different form of diabetes, researchers said in an abstract to be presented today at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual conference in Toronto. Children ages 9 to 12 years old had the highest hospitalization rates.”

Commentary: This is really sad to hear and something hopefully we as a diabetic community can change through education and better management. As someone who has been hospitalized for diabetes before I don’t wish this upon anyone, especially children.

Continuous Glucose Management (CGM) to change diabetes therapy

Via http://www.huliq.com/

“The convergence of small-scale electronics and sophisticated biocompatible product designs is giving hope for a better future to millions of diabetes patients worldwide and may provide possible future diabetes treatment and therapy.

Glucose monitors that are designed to be implanted and can continually measure glucose levels have the capability to improve glycemic control and patient wellbeing. By integrating the sensing element, electronics, and a power source in a single package, implantable glucose monitors are creating new options for caregivers and their diabetes patients.”

Commentary: This is something I’ve been pretty excited about lately. There has been a lot development and more and more devices being passed by FDA. It opens up a huge door to compile massive amounts of info daily on what is affecting your blood sugars and when. Hundreds of readings per day without having to poke your finger each time, awesome! I can’t wait to see what that will look like in SugarStats.

FDA passes approval for Dexcom’s 7-day Continuous Glucose Management System

Via http://www.shareholder.com/

“DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ: DXCM) today announced that it has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for SEVEN™, its 7-Day STS® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. SEVEN is DexCom’s second generation device designed to help people with diabetes better manage their diabetes and control their glucose levels. Widely recognized as one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, diabetes is a chronic disease with no known cure that afflicts approximately 20 million people in the U.S., according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In the U.S., diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness, end stage kidney failure and lower limb amputations. People suffering from diabetes are also more significantly at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.”

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This entry was posted on Monday, June 11th, 2007 at 5:25 am and is filed under Diabetes Medication, Diabetes News, Diabetes Tips, Diabetic Health, Food, Glucose Management, Treatment.
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