The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked five drugmakers to recall their versions of the popular diabetes drug metformin after laboratory tests found they contained elevated levels of a chemical called N-Nitrosodimethylamine, which has been linked to cancer. However, patients using metformin should continue taking the drug until their doctor can prescribe a […]
Researchers have identified metabolites in the blood that accurately predict whether a woman who has gestational diabetes during her pregnancy will go on to develop type 2 diabetes years later. This means a test could potentially be developed to help doctors identify those patients at greatest risk and possibly avert the disease through lifestyle interventions. […]
Researchers have found that African Americans with sleep apnea are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea causes a person’s breathing to stop and start while they sleep and aggravates blood sugar levels. This can lead to type 2 diabetes if untreated. Black men are 1.5 times more likely than white men, and […]
People who have type 2 diabetes do not only lack the right amount of insulin, they also produce excess glucagon, researchers say. Both these factors contribute to poor blood glucose control, researchers have said. Glucagon, which is produced by alpha cells in the pancreas, helps the body to regulate glucose and fats; both it and […]
Researchers measured blood glucose for patients who had been admitted to the hospital for stroke, and examined their cognitive functions including memory, attention, and speed of processing information, three to six months after the stroke. They found that patients with type 2 diabetes had significantly lower scores than patients who had normal fasting blood sugar […]
Gestational diabetes typically vanishes after the patient gives birth, but a large proportion of women who have had gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes in later life. Researchers have found that women who have had gestational diabetes have a nearly tenfold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who […]
Irl B. Hirsch, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, argues that insulin treatment should begin earlier to improve outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes. While many people with type 2 have early success with standard treatment — including weight loss, diet changes, and various oral medications — the majority […]
Researchers have found that people with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed metformin prior to undergoing a major surgery had reduced risks for mortality and readmission in the 90 days following the procedure, according to a study recently published in JAMA Surgery. Read more
Researchers have found that people whose blood glucose readings are classified as prediabetes are already at increased risk for many complications of diabetes, including retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy, and some experts suggest that treatment should begin far earlier to prevent these complications. Read more
Obesity is a risk factor for many conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Now researchers say obesity may be a result of an alteration in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. A recent study examined cortisol levels in people with obesity to determine if there is an association with diabetes, hypertension, and cortisol. Read more
Previous studies have had conflicting results on whether patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) — a form of dyslipidemia that results in abnormally high levels of lipids — had a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes. Now a 15-year study has found patients with FCHL are a significantly higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. […]
Researchers find that poor blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes increases health care costs both annually and in the long term. Health care costs were higher in those with higher hemoglobin levels, even when other conditions were taken into consideration. Read more
Researchers have shown increasing interest in examining how intestinal flora affects various health conditions. Three recent studies investigated how gut bacteria influence the development of type 2 diabetes. Read more
Glucagon is a pancreatic hormone which contributes to glucose production. A new study found that patients with type 2 diabetes secrete not only too little insulin but also too much glucagon, which contributes to poor blood glucose control. Read more
Visual impairments are a common complication of type 2 diabetes; vision loss is three times more likely to occur in patients with diabetes compared to those without. Yet to date, there has been limited data on the predictors of vision loss; a recent study sought to remedy that. Read more
Tooth brushing as well as good overall oral hygiene can reduce inflammatory reactions due to periodontal disease. This can help reduce diabetes risk as systemic inflammation contributes to developing the disease. Read more
A large study serves compared and evaluated whether low-dose aspirin is effective when used long-term as the prevention of dementia for both females and males. Read more
People with chronic health conditions, including diabetes, are at greater risk of developing serious complications if they contract the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has guidance on what the coronavirus means for people with diabetes, and some tips on how best to protect yourself during this pandemic. Read more
More than 40% of people with type 2 diabetes initially decline insulin therapy recommended by their doctors, and compared with those who began insulin therapy, those who refused had worse glycemic control, and took longer to achieve healthier blood sugar levels , according to new research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Read more
Sleep abnormalities and disorders are not uncommon in type 2 diabetes patients, and can have negative effects on their condition, including contributing to poor glucose levels. Read more
