Advances in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

diabetes, type 2 diabetes

Doctors and scientists are always working tirelessly to advance medical treatments. Those who study Type 2 diabetes are no different. In the past couple of years there has been much progress and huge advances in the field, and those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes can soon start to benefit from these amazing discoveries.



diabetes, type 2 diabetes

In March of 2017, doctors ran a trial that resulted in a reversal of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes in 40% of the participants. No matter how you slice it, that’s pretty incredible. What’s more incredible is that these results were seen in both the eight-week study and the sixteen-week study.

Participants were put in an intensive program that included personalized exercise plans and meal plans that changed their calorie intake to 500-700 calories per day. Participants met regularly with a nurse and a dietician to make sure their health was on the right track despite this significant limitation. Medication and sometimes insulin were taken in tandem with the new routine. When the participants were compared to the control group, the results were undeniable. These intensive programs will likely start popping up all over North America before too long, and doctors are hopeful that those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes can start feeling more like themselves.



type 2 diabetes, diabetes

Inhalers are typically used for asthma, but new medical advancements have created an insulin inhaler for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Afrezza is used before eating as a short-acting insulin booster. Although there was an insulin inhaler available before this development, it was clunky and suspected of possibly causing lung issues. Afrezza is the size of a whistle, and can easily be carried around in your pocket. The medication is used along with other drugs, but makes it easier to sustain a normal blood glucose level before meals.



diabetes, type 2 diabetes

Medications that have previously been used for other conditions like Parkinson’s disease, infertility, and menstruation issues are now being retooled to treat Type 2 diabetes. Cycloset works in the body to create long term blood sugar control; Colesevelam has been used to treat high cholesterol, but has been shown to be a great addition with other Type 2 diabetes medications; and SGLT inhibitors work to pump sugar out through urine. Though the medications work very well at what they do, it merits mention that they can cause urinary tract infections and yeast infections, so your tolerance for side effects will likely play into your decision to pick a specific medication.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems are also getting better and better. They sit below the skin and use a tiny sensor to check blood sugar levels. If they are too high or too low, an alarm will go off to notify you to take action.

Making sure that you’re in control of your disease is the best plan of action. With all the advancements available today, there’s no reason that you can’t take charge and start to feel better. Talk to your doctor about your options, or how you can work to manage the disease in a more constructive way.