Diabetes Information | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

Top 5 Breakthroughs for Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most pressing health issues in the world. According to the ADA (American Diabetes Association), close to 1.5 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes annually. Moreover, in 2017 the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported that about 100 million people in the United States have prediabetes or diabetes.

One reason why diabetes remains one of the leading causes of death is poor nutrition, processed foods, and too much sugar. Although there’s no cure for diabetes, increased exercise and weight loss can help prevent Type 2 Diabetes.

With the advancements in medicine and technology, we are seeing tremendous improvement in preventing and treating diabetes. There are numerous types of research funded by many organizations such as the World Health Organization, related to finding innovative ways to treat and prevent diabetes.

A new way of preventing the immune system from attacking insulin-producing beta cells

One of the most exciting discoveries in healing diabetes as well as the field of medicine in general is a new way of preventing immune cells from attacking and killing beta cells that produce insulin. Immunotherapy treatment has been proven to be effective in decreasing immunosuppression.

Moreover, the treatment process can be customized for different individuals according to their specific medical state. The main reason why people with diabetes need to use medication is that the body’s ability to produce insulin become s impaired. According to Dr. song’s discovery, suppressing autoimmunity increases the chances of successfully treating Type 1 Diabetes.

Identifying what causes Type 1 Diabetes

In Type 1 Diabetes, the body starts attacking insulin-producing beta cells which hamper the production of insulin and other complications. However, the use of various medications and injections enable patients to lead a normal life by stabilizing the level of insulin in the body.

Therefore, identifying exactly what causes the body to treat insulin-producing beta cells is a major leap towards finding treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. In recent years we have seen major advancement in this field where researchers are studying the possibility of avoiding suppression of the immune system by using immunoglobin to protect beta cells and hence increase insulin production.

Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy

Patients suffering from neuropathy as a result of diabetes can experience nerve damage which can cause pain and other more serious diabetes-related complications such as sepsis. Neuropathy can also affect the spinal cord and brain.

Although diabetic neuropathy is very hard to treat, there is a new method of treating the condition where molecules are introduced to the body to prevent and potentially reverse neuropathy.

New Technologies for Diabetes

It is essential for diabetics to keep track of their blood glucose levels and blood pressure in order to effectively manage the condition by reacting faster.

Scientists have developed a new device that monitors glucose levels and automatically alerts the patient whenever their glucose levels fall below or rise above the target range. Moreover, we have seen great advancements in blood glucose monitors that have become more accurate, faster, smaller, lighter, and easier to carry around.

New Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes

In addition to the discoveries related to understanding what causes diabetes and finding ways to prevent the condition, there are new types of medication that will help diabetics by preventing side effects and other potential complications caused by diabetes.

Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Glucagon are 3 new types of tablets that have been proven to be highly effective in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.

Semaglutide is a glucagon-based oral medication that should be used 30minutes before any beverage or meal. However, it is not recommended for use as an introductory treatment. In the first month, patients should take 3 mg and increase the dosage of Semaglutide to 7 mg after that.

Glucagon is a nasal powder that has been shown to be an excellent alternative to the injections most diabetes patients have been using. The good news is that it is available for all diabetics aged 4 years and above. However, it is essential to be aware of potential side effects of Semaglutide such as vomiting, headaches, and eye redness.

Liraglutide is recommended for type 2 Diabetes and is best for patients older than 10.

The Bottom line

One of the most important breakthroughs related to diabetes is related to numerous studies that have shown that the main cause of diabetes is poor nutrition and other lifestyle habits, especially among younger generations. Studies show that Type 2 Diabetes is mainly caused by processed foods, fast foods, too much sugar, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Therefore, the most effective way of preventing diabetes is by teaching the younger generation to increase physical activity and most importantly, adopt a healthier diet.

OMELON Glucose Monitoring System

Omelon is intended for noninvasive and automatic measurement of blood sugar levels, blood pressure value, and determination of heart rate in both healthy patients and patients with type 2 diabetes. This automatic tonometer and noninvasive glucometer does not require blood sampling making it much easier to monitor and control blood sugar levels.

The process of measuring blood sugar levels is safe, non-traumatic, and absolutely painless. Omelon glucose monitoring system is developed by Russian Scientists and is patented in the United States and Russia. The developers applied the most advanced engineering and manufacturing solutions to ensure that the device significantly improves the user’s health.

Noninvasive Glucometer and Tonometer without test strips

Omelon measures glucose level and blood pressure by analyzing the pulse wave that occurs successively on both hands. The results are presented in digital form on the device’s indicator. Glucose is used as an energy material by vascular cells and muscular tissue.

Depending on the concentration of insulin and glucose in the blood, the vascular tone can change considerably. Omelon determines blood glucose levels based on the analysis of blood pressure, pulse wave, and vascular tone.

How does Omelon Glucose Monitoring System Work?

Omelon is intended for the measurement of diastolic and systolic pressure by indirect oscillometry. The device also measures blood sugar levels and heart rate in a non-invasive manner (without blood sampling) using a compressive cuff fixed on the forearm. The device uses parameters of the pulse wave as an informative signal for indication of the blood sugar level and for measurement of the minimum and maximum pressure.

Scope of application:

For measurement of pulse rate blood sugar level and blood pressure and present these indices on the device’s display:

Ideal for medical supervision in health care as well as health resort institutions
For personal use

For monitoring and controlling blood glucose by patients with type 2 diabetes (insulin-independent) as well as healthy people.
For monitoring and controlling blood glucose by patients with type 2 diabetes administering insulin and patients with type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent).

Omelon glucose monitoring system is designed to help diabetics monitor their blood sugar levels so they can participate more actively in their treatment, control treatment results on a daily basis and improve the quality of their lives. The device is calibrated according to the Somogyi-Nelson method and the lowest levels of biological control. The normal blood glucose value during measurements with this system is 60-100 mg/dl.

Blood glucose level should be tested on an empty stomach or at least 2 hours after food intake. Read the manual and select the scale correctly before the beginning of measurements. It’s also important to sit down and relax for at least 5 minutes before taking your blood glucose measurements.

When comparing measurements with other testing methods, consider which technique or method has been used to calibrate the other device and what blood glucose level is considered normal.

Now it is much easier to monitor and control blood sugar levels. The process of using Omelon to measure blood sugar levels is safe and absolutely painless.

Non Invasive Glucose Meter Wins FDA Approval – read MORE

Why Should you Join Diabetes Chat Rooms?

Can Diabetes Support Groups Online Help Me?

Caring for a diabetic person or living with diabetes usually means constant stress as well as constant decision-making. Unfortunately, in some cases, healthcare providers are not always available to answer diabetes-related questions.

For instant for diabetes-related information, and diabetes support, diabetics and caregivers sometimes turn to peer support rooms and DOCs (Diabetes Online Communities) such as diabetes chat rooms.

What are Diabetes Chat Rooms?

Many diabetes support communities are created by diabetics and are safe places where people affected by the disease can learn from others, provide information, and seek advice from others without judgment, stigma, or fear. People with diabetes reap numerous tangible benefits from joining a Diabetes Online Community.

Some of these benefits include greater social connectedness, lower levels of diabetes distress and anxiety, improved stress management, improved blood sugar management, and reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications.

These and other numerous benefits are part of the reason why these communities are catching on all over the globe. Not only are we seeing more people participating, but we are also seeing more communities each year.

Diabetes educators and diabetics alike have been discussing the benefits of joining DOCs for decades. Although they knew the facts, they just didn’t have the research and data to back it up. However, now researchers have started collecting more and more data on the benefits of diabetes chat rooms.

Online peer support groups were the trending topics at the 2019 ADCES (Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) conference, largely due to a review of 47 studies published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology in May 2019. More recently, a meta-analysis of 9 DOC reviews shows that being involved in a diabetes chat rooms is associated with significant improvements in behavioral, psychological, and clinical aspects of health.

Science-backed benefits of joining peer support groups

Social Connectedness

Diabetes can have a negative impact on the social lives of people living with diabetes, caregivers, as well as their friends and relatives. This is particularly true for people living with type 2 diabetes particularly because they avoid sharing their diagnosis with friends, colleagues as well as family members due to the fear of stigma.

Diabetes chat rooms help diabetics create and join support networks that understand the nuances of managing diabetes on a deeper level. Therefore, they don’t feel alone.

The May 2019 review also found that diabetics who join and are actively involved in diabetes chat rooms experience a higher quality of life as compared to the general population of diabetics. This results in part from social support, empowerment, and shared experiences resulting from social connections created in diabetes chat rooms.

May Improve Glycemic and A1C Levels

According to the same 2019 review, diabetes chat rooms were also associated with stable A1C levels in adolescents. This is a positive sign, particularly because adolescents’ A1C levels tend to increase especially during this life stage.

On the other hand, the use of diabetes chat rooms in adults is associated with improved A1C levels. A1C shows the average blood glucose levels over the last 2 or 3 months. Besides being used to diagnose diabetes, A1C is also used to monitor and determine the efficacy of diabetes eating plans.

Although everyone with diabetes has different goals, generally, A1C levels of less than 7% mean better blood glucose control and a significantly lower risk of complications related to diabetes. According to a study published in the JMIR Diabetes journal in 2009, highly engaged diabetes chat room users tend to have better glycemic levels than diabetics with lower engagement.

This can be attributed to the fact that involvement in diabetes chat rooms offers accountability, which tends to motivate users to be keener about their blood glucose levels.

Encourages Healthier Self-Care Activities

The Future Science OA July 2018 issue published a study that showed that diabetes chat rooms tend to encourage users to perform better self-care activities compared to non-users. These activities include eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, checking glucose levels, and taking medication and insulin.

Diabetes chat rooms also provide convenient places for people with diabetes to crowd-source answers and solutions to self-care concerns such the best systems for monitoring blood glucose levels, weight loss, and the best foods for people living with diabetes. This helps set up diabetics for long-term success

Although there are numerous benefits of joining diabetes chat rooms, it is essential to keep in mind that they don’t replace advice from medical practitioners. This is particularly because misinformation in the digital era is a real concern. However, according to a study published in the Current Diabetes Reviews, misinformation in diabetes chat rooms was uncommon (ranging between 0% and 9% of all posts).

Visit a Diabetes Chat Room HERE!

Everything You Should Know About Coronavirus and Diabetes

Coronavirus and Diabetes: What are the Risks.

The global coronavirus pandemic is looming larger, with news of additional infections and deaths, potential economic fallout and travel advisories. The media has been reporting that people with diabetes and other “underlying conditions” face higher risk of serious complications from coronavirus, the virus associated with COVID-19.

But, why are people with diabetes considered particularly high risk? And how should they manage diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic?

What is Covid-19 (Coronavirus)?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that is common in animal species, and it rarely infects and spreads among humans. However, coronavirus first began infecting and spreading among humans in Wuhan, China in December 2019. From there, the disease has spread all over the globe.

The virus spreads through human to human contact and respiratory droplets (from sneezing and coughing). Therefore, everyone should be cautious. Coronavirus has an incubation period of 2 to 14 days. This means infected people can spread COVID-19 for days or even weeks before developing symptoms. The CDC reports that it might take up to a year to get a vaccine for the virus.

What are the COVID-19 Symptoms?

According to the CDC, recorded cases of coronavirus have included mild to severe symptoms. About 2 to 14 days after getting infected, people may experience:

Dry cough
Shortness of breath
Fever

Emergency warning signs of corona virus include:

Difficulty breathing
Bluish face or lips
Pressure or persistent pain in the chest

Should People with Diabetes (PWDs) be Concerned?

As people with diabetes adjust their routines, it’s extremely important that they follow a few extra safety precautions and plan ahead. According to the American Diabetes Association online Coronavirus resource, people with diabetes are not more likely to get coronavirus than the general population. Instead, they face a greater risk of developing severe complications if they get infected with coronavirus.

For instance, data from COVID-19 cases in China show that diabetes patients have much higher rates of severe complications and fatalities than people without diabetes.

Those with more underlying health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, have a higher risk of experiencing severe health complications, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) says. Moreover, being ill makes it even more difficult for people with diabetes to monitor and manage their blood glucose levels.

However, people with diabetes should not panic or worry. Instead, they should take extra precautions, continue monitoring their glucose levels as prescribed by their physician, and practice the recommended hand washing and social distancing guidelines.

Your Risk of COVID-19 with Diabetes

People with diabetes face a higher risk of complication especially when it comes to viral infection like flu, and this is likely true with coronavirus, the ADA said in late February. The fact is that diabetes patients are at a higher risk when dealing with pneumonia, flu (influenza), and now coronavirus because when blood glucose level are elevated or fluctuating consistently, they have lower protection against disease (a lower immune response), so they risk developing complications quicker.

Even if their glucose levels are within the recommended range, there’s an underlying risk of aggravated illness. When you’re ill, fluctuating glucose levels cause symptoms to become much worse and extend recovery time. Although there’s no confirmed connection between deaths from coronavirus and diabetes, data from the JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) reports shows that there is a higher case-fatality rate among high risk individual (people with underlying conditions):

Cardiovascular disease: 10.5%
Diabetes: 7.3%
Chronic respiratory disease: 6.3%
Hypertension: 6.0%
Cancer: 5.6%

Coronavirus Protection Guidelines for Everyone

The Center for Disease Control’s recommendations for protecting against coronavirus include:

Washing hands regularly with water and soap for at least 20 seconds
Social distancing (at least 6 feet)
Making sure you and your loved ones are up to date with the pneumonia and flu shot
Keeping your hands away from your face (particularly the nose, mouth and eyes which are potential entry points for germs).
Wearing face masks or cloth face coverings in areas where social distancing guidelines are difficult to maintain and areas of community-based transmission
Keep distance and avoid physical contact with people who are coughing, sneezing, or showing other signs of respiratory illness

These guidelines are important to slow the spread of coronavirus and help prevent asymptomatic people from spreading it to others. Authorities including the CDC are emphasizing that people who think they might be sick, self-quarantine.

What About People with Diabetes?

Most doctors who treat diabetes are emphasizing illness precautions and basic hygiene, as well as maintaining good glucose control. It’s also important for people with diabetes to stay hydrated because they are generally more prone to dehydration. Stock up on clean drinking water and liquids that can provide energy and electrolytes in an emergency situation.

If you get flu symptoms that progress to pneumonia, get treatment and support fast.

What should people with diabetes do to prepare for Coronavirus?

The Coronavirus pandemic reminds us how poorly we are prepared for emergency and disaster situations. People with diabetes are reliant on the uninterrupted manufacture of glucose monitoring supplies and life-sustaining insulin. Therefore, disaster and emergency planning is a vital component to survival. It is recommended that you have extra diabetes monitoring supplies, along with extra insulin, at least a month’s worth.

See information on Home Supply Delivery HERE!

You can consult your doctor about working through and around barriers of affordability and access to supplies. Thankfully, many pharma and medtech companies are tackling disease preparation and awareness as it relates to coronavirus – notably Roche, Medtronic, and J&J.

More information on the complications of diabetes HERE!

What is Diabetic Myopathy?

Post Updated: 19th April 2023

Diabetic myopathy is a condition that affects people with diabetes, specifically those with type 2 diabetes. It is characterized by muscle weakness, wasting, and pain. This condition can affect any muscle group in the body, but it is most commonly seen in the hips, legs, and feet. In this article, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for diabetic myopathy.

Causes of Diabetic Myopathy

The exact cause of diabetic myopathy is not fully understood. However, it is believed to be a result of long-term high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that supply the muscles with oxygen and nutrients. This damage can lead to muscle weakness, wasting, and pain.

In addition to high blood sugar levels, other factors can contribute to diabetic myopathy. These include:

Poor blood circulation: High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that supply the muscles with oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to poor circulation, which can contribute to muscle weakness and wasting.
Neuropathy: Diabetes can cause nerve damage, which can lead to muscle weakness and wasting. This is known as diabetic neuropathy.
Inactivity: People with diabetes may be less active due to pain or other symptoms, which can contribute to muscle weakness and wasting.

Symptoms of Diabetic Myopathy

The symptoms of diabetic myopathy can vary from person to person. However, some common symptoms include:

Dysarthria:

This is a motor speech disorder that is primarily characterized by difficulty expressing and forming words. It is mainly a result of pathology or injury of the nervous system due to diabetes myopathy. The muscles of the respiratory system, face, and mouth move very slowly or do not move at all.

However, severity depends on the areas of the muscular and nervous systems that have been affected. Symptoms include; a slow or rapid rate of speech with a mumbling quality, limited lip, jaw, and tongue movement, changes in vocal quality, abnormal intonation, drooling, and chewing or swallowing difficulty.

Muscle weakness:

This is the most common symptom of diabetic myopathy. Muscle weakness occurs at any age and it can either affect the entire portion or just a portion of the body. Diabetic myopathy affects the nervous system resulting in muscle weakness. It occurs in conjunction with symptoms such as paresthesia, pain, or fever-like symptoms. Complications of muscle weakness vary depending on the stage of diabetic myopathy and they include contractures and muscle atrophy.

Muscle wasting:

Diabetic myopathy can lead to muscle wasting, also known as muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy is the gradual loss of muscle tissue, which can result in decreased muscle strength and mobility.

Muscle pain:

Diabetic myopathy might also cause pain and aches in the muscles. This may be due to muscle cramps, muscle strains, injury, fatigue, circulatory disorders, and stress. The changes in muscle can be detected with biochemical or molecular techniques or with functional testing mainly because this condition is primarily associated with loss of strength and muscle mass.

Ataxia:

As diabetes progresses, sufferers may also experience failure of voluntary muscle coordination. It implies dysfunction of some parts of the nervous system that usually coordinate movement. Ataxia can cause a person to have difficulty with balance, walking, and other movements that require precise coordination of muscle activity.

Foot drop:

Foot drop is a condition where a person is unable to lift the front part of their foot, which can cause difficulty in walking and increase the risk of falling. Foot drop due to diabetic myopathy is a condition caused by nerve damage that affects the muscles responsible for lifting the front part of the foot.

Treatment options for diabetic myopathy

There are several treatment options available for diabetic myopathy. The most effective treatment will depend on the severity of the condition and the individual’s overall health.

Blood sugar control: The most important treatment for diabetic myopathy is to control blood sugar levels. This can be done through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, and medications such as insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
Exercise: Exercise can help improve muscle strength and flexibility. People with diabetic myopathy should engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or resistance training.
Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help improve muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination. It may also include stretches and massages to help alleviate muscle pain.
Pain management: Pain medication may be prescribed to help manage muscle pain and cramping.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace damaged muscles.

How can you help prevent diabetic leg pain?

Prevention of diabetic myopathy involves maintaining good blood sugar control and keeping active with regular physical activity. People with diabetes should aim to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range, as this can help prevent muscle damage and other complications.

Good blood sugar levels for the average person with diabetes should be between 60.8 mg/dl and 120.4 mg/dl ( 3.4 to 6.7mmol/L) depending on the time of day and amount eaten at the last meal.

They should also engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or resistance training. This can help improve muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination.

In addition to these lifestyle changes, people with diabetes should have regular check-ups with their healthcare provider. This can help detect and treat any complications early on, including diabetic myopathy.

Diabetic myopathy is one of the leading causes of disability among diabetics. Therefore, regardless of how mild these signs and symptoms of diabetic myopathy are, they should never be ignored. In addition to the blood glucose control measures, interventions to improve strength and muscle mass in these patients should also be undertaken.

More info on the complications of diabetes HERE!

A new way of preventing the immune system from attacking insulin-producing beta cells

Identifying what causes Type 1 Diabetes

Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy

New Technologies for Diabetes

New Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes