Promising research points toward better diabetes management
with Dr. Rajeev Jain, Endocrinologist, Advanced Healthcare
There is some good news on the horizon for patients with diabetes and for physicians like Dr. Rajeev Jain, who treat them.
Dr. Jain, an endocrinologist with Advanced Healthcare and one of four medical directors at Columbia St. Mary's Diabetes Treatment Center, says that research is showing promising developments regarding diabetes. This includes encouraging news from a large study sponsored by the National Institute of Health.
"We now know that people at risk of developing diabetes can reduce that risk by 50 percent with simple changes to their exercise and diet habits," says Dr. Jain.
There are also several studies underway for promising treatments of those already diagnosed with the disease.
Reducing diabetes-related complications
Studies are being conducted on medications that will reduce risks for complications associated with diabetes, says Dr. Jain. One of these new agents is showing promise in both controlling blood sugar and in lowering triglycerides [The storage form of fat in the body. High levels may occur when diabetes is out of control.] and cholesterol, major contributors to the associated risk of heart disease. Another group of agents being tested may actually protect the heart itself.
Inhaled insulin
One of the drawbacks for people with insulin-dependent diabetes is the fact that they must inject themselves with insulin on a regular basis. Clinical trials are currently being held to test the efficacy and safety of inhaled insulin. This form of insulin would be administered in a powdered form through a device similar to an asthma inhaler.
"New developments in treatment such as this will make life easier for the patient with diabetes," says Dr. Jain.
Cell transplants
A very exciting development in diabetes treatment is the success of clinical trials using islet cells from a donor's pancreas.
"There has been a lot of advancement in the area of cell transplants for people with type 1 diabetes," says Dr. Jain. "In early studies of islet cell transplants, there were problems with side effects of medications that suppressed the immune system," he adds, noting that recent developments with new immunosuppresent drugs have reduced those side effects and decreased rejection rates. Currently still in the clinical trial stage, it is likely that this method will become more widely available in the near future.
Blood-sugar testing & checkups
A device called the GlucoWatch® is another new development in treatment for diabetes. Worn on the wrist, the GlucoWatch® provides a pain-free way to test blood glucose levels. By sending electrical waves through the skin, the device emits an alarm when blood sugar levels are out of a specified range. Further developments are being made in refining this device.
Even as we are on the verge of these significant developments, there is one very important component to successful diabetes control that can't be replaced by any new advancement. That component is the patient's involvement in monitoring for risks associated with the disease.
The A1C test every three to six months, an annual eye exam, foot examinations every three to six months, blood pressure checks every three months, and cholesterol and kidney functions tested at least once a year - all of these are critical, says Dr. Jain.
"At Advanced Healthcare and Columbia St. Mary's we use a team approach in the sense of diabetes education," explains Dr. Jain, noting the most important member of the team is the patient. "Patient empowerment is key."
Read more about how medical teams are helping patients better manage their diabetes.
