as of March 13, 2010
Diabetes Corner
OVERVIEW
Diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood.
There are three major types of diabetes:
Type 1 - diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. The body makes little or no insulin, and daily injections of insulin are needed to sustain life.
Type 2 - diabetes is far more common than type 1 and makes up most of all cases of diabetes. It usually occurs in adulthood. The pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because the body does not respond well to the insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition.
Gestational diabetes - is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORS
Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. About 54 million Americans have prediabetes. There are many risk factors for diabetes, including:
-A parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
-Obesity
-Age greater than 45 years
-Some ethnic groups (particularly African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans)
-Gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
-High blood pressure
-High blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat molecule)
-High blood cholesterol level
-Not getting enough exercise
SYMPTOMS
High blood levels of glucose can cause several problems, including frequent urination, excessive thirst, hunger, fatigue, weight loss, and blurry vision. However, because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.
Patients with type 1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.
CARE/TREATMENT
There is no cure for diabetes. Treatment involves medicines, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar and prevent symptoms and complications.
Basic diabetes management skills will help prevent the need for emergency care. These skills include:
-How to recognize and treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
-What to eat and when
-How to take insulin or oral medication
-How to test and record blood glucose
-How to test urine for ketones (type 1 diabetes only)
-How to adjust insulin or food intake when changing exercise and eating habits
-How to handle sick days
-Where to buy diabetes supplies and how to store them
PREVENTION
Maintaining an ideal body weight and an active lifestyle may prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Currently there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.
Real Stories, Expert Advice
Health Corner Videos: Diabetes
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Resources
American Diabetes Association
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
In the News: Diabetes
Diabetes Experts Call For Early, Integrated Treatment Approach To Help Prevent Complications And Improve Patient Outcomes
Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:00:00 PST
http://mnt.to/f/3yTg
Results from a new online survey of more than 300 practicing endocrinologists and family medicine physicians1 show that a large majority of physicians (83 percent)1 indicated that using a team of specialists early in the course of type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment can help prevent serious T2D-related complications...
TaiGen Announces Nemonoxacin (TG-873870) Once-A-Day Oral Dosing In Diabetic Foot Infection Met Primary Endpoints
Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:00:00 PST
http://mnt.to/f/3ySW
TaiGen Biotechnology Co., Ltd. announced the Phase II trial of nemonoxacin (TG-873870) in Diabetic Foot Infection (DFI) with once-a-day dosing met the primary endpoints and showed promising clinical efficacy and good tolerability. Nemonoxacin is a novel non-fluorinated quinolone that has a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and atypical pathogens...