Dutch researchers suggest that older people with type 2 diabetes are being overtreated, and guidelines in many countries aren’t taking their frailty, other health issues, and differing needs into account. The researchers found that of participants in their study, almost 40% of those with type 2 and normal HbA1c levels were being given too much […]
A recent study concluded that artificially sweetened soft drink consumption was associated with a higher risk of stroke and dementia. The preliminary research did find a link between daily intake and increased risk, but the chain of evidence is not as strong as has been widely reported. When all health and lifestyle factors that could […]
People with diabetes are more than twice as likely to die from heart disease as those without diabetes. To help reduce the risk of heart disease and manage type 2 diabetes, it’s important to eat healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats, along with getting regular exercise. But even […]
Many patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes suffer from painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN). Patients with this complication experience irreversible peripheral nerve damage resulting in severe pain, which is difficult to manage. When medication is not enough to provide pain relief, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is sometimes used as a last-resort therapy. While […]
A new drug, Pemafibrate, currently in a phase 3 clinical trial in Japan, may significantly improve lipid profiles and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia. The results follow those of several large-scale clinical trials which show that treatment with drugs of the fibrate class can decrease triglyceride levels and increase high-density […]
Every day, doctors and other prescribers write prescriptions for patients with diabetes. But how can they choose the best medication from all the many drugs, and combination drugs, available today? And how can they make sure that the patient will be able to afford the drug they want to prescribe, when there are more than […]
Obesity and diabetes are often linked, and prescription drugs can have varying effects on weight. Research has found that certain drug types such as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors (for example, Invokana and Jardiance) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) (for example, Victoza and Trulicity) may help with weight loss. On the other hand, […]
People who have been dealing with type 1 since childhood can get “burned out” on dealing with their diabetes every day, and lose the motivation to test numbers regularly and do the other tasks they need to do to manage their diabetes. For some of those patients, new technologies like CGMs can make managing their […]
UnitedHealth Group announced it has partnered with DexCom and will launch a glucose monitoring program. The program will use a wearable device aimed at helping older Americans continuously manage their type 2 diabetes via mobile technology. The program will initially have a pilot period, in which a number of enrollees in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans […]
Research from Indiana University says that a new computer program is doing a better job than doctors in diagnosing and treating health conditions using artificial intelligence and robotics. The system uses decision-making processes similar to the Jeopardy-bot, Watson. Researchers had the system analyze and predict health outcomes for 500 real individuals who had conditions like […]
Type 1 diabetes researchers have long sought a treatment that would preserve and restore function to insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. In type 1 diabetes, the patient’s own immune system destroys these beta cells. One hurdle researchers have faced is that any new cells created via beta cell replacement therapy might also be destroyed by the […]
Some diabetes educators find that the holiday and new year seasons are a time when patients want a fresh start — perhaps with a change of medication. A certified diabetes educator (CDE) talks about her experience working with patients around this time of year, and why it’s so important not to make changes to your […]
Emily Seto, a researcher who works on developing mobile health (mHealth) apps and wearables and studying their performance, discusses the future role of these devices in helping patients manage their diabetes. Read more
A new study suggests that having close ties and social interaction with friends and family may help people reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study found that socially isolated women were more than twice as likely to have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes than women who were socially active, and 60 […]
Diabetes Strong, a new health and fitness website for people living with diabetes, offers information and advice on everything from exercise and nutrition to the latest diabetes products and tech. It’s run by Christel Oerum, a fitness professional with type 1 diabetes. The mission and design of the website is centered around the founders’ belief […]
Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre, a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) has received Medicare coverage. This CGM is the first in the market that does not require diabetes patients to prick their finger to draw blood. The Medicare coverage and ease of use of the system are expected to make it an attractive option for senior citizens […]
The new Nutrition Facts label was finalized by the U.S Food and Drug Administration in 2017. It will make it easier for you to identify and compare products with added sugar and help you to make healthier food choices. Most food manufacturers have until 2019 to change their labels, but many have already done so. The […]
There’s been speculation that the consumption of cow’s milk proteins in infant formula may play a role in the increasing rates of type 1 diabetes in children. However, a new study suggests that’s not the case. An earlier, very small study had suggested that whole proteins from cow’s milk could trigger the immune reaction that […]
Keeping your blood sugar under control when you have type 2 diabetes isn’t just about watching what you eat. If your are less active when it’s cold and snowy, that lack of activity can affect your blood glucose, even if your diet hasn’t changed. Taking small steps to boost your activity in winter can have […]
Black adults in the U.S. are more likely to develop diabetes than white adults, and new research suggests that major factors in their increased risk are obesity and poverty. The researchers looked at over 4,000 men and women, both black and white, who were 18-30 years old and free of diabetes when the study started, […]