Diabetes is one of the leading killer diseases of today. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are 425 million adults from 20 to 79 years old who live with diabetes today. And that number is expected to rise to 629 million by 2045.
Depending on the type, diabetes impairs our ability to produce or respond to insulin. It causes our bodies to disrupt the absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates and glucose.
Diabetes is not deadly in itself. It is the aftereffect of this disease that causes problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, Diabetes can result in several complications, such as:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Kidney Damage
- Amputations
- Hearing Impairment
- Depression
It is proper to have a diabetes cme online to be up to date with the current discoveries and treatments for the disease.
After all, your continuing medical education is not only for requirement purposes. Diabetes CME online is about equipping your medical practice with the current scientific advancements and methods to save the lives of thousands.
Here are four crucial research discoveries about diabetes in 2019:
Pancreatic Cells Could Possibly Cure Diabetes in the Future
Right now, there is no cure for diabetes. You can only delay the case with medical treatments, drugs, and a change in lifestyle.
But there is a recent discovery with pancreatic cells. These are the cells that produce glucagon in the bloodstream to control blood sugar. The researchers found out that 2% of the neighboring pancreatic cells actively changed when signaled by its surrounding cells.
Although it is a low percentage, the fact that it can change opens up to many possibilities for treatment in the future. Further research is now done to discover the mechanism of the change and how to control the process for future medical applications.
Type 2 Diabetes Remission is Now Achievable with a More Doable Weight Loss Diet
Lifestyle change is one of the solutions for diabetes. The typical way to bring back the glucose levels of a patient to normal is through a significant calorie restriction and weight loss.
A study with subjects eating 830 calories a day for 3 to 5 months went into remission from type 2 diabetes. But this restrictive diet may not be sustainable for a lot of people. That is why researchers at the University of Cambridge conducted a study with a less intensive weight loss diet.
Participants who achieved 10% weight loss or more (within five years after diagnosis) went into remission. The chances of remission are twice as likely compared to the ones who did not lose weight.
That is certainly more doable!
The Discovery of the Immune Cells Linked to Type 1 Diabetes
The genetic lottery might not be in favor of all of us. People with type 1 diabetes most likely inherited it. From the start, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. It makes the patient insulin-dependent for life.
A team of researchers discovered the “rogue hybrid” immune system cell primarily linked to type 1 diabetes. Finding the source is the start of further treatment for type 1 diabetes. The next step is to develop a way to target the cell to work as intended.
There you have it! Being updated is a useful tool for your practice. It is now time to save lives!