Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is different from type 2 – it’s caused by the pancreas’ inability to produce insulin. On the other hand, in type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does produce insulin but either not enough or the body can’t properly use the insulin that’s being produced.

It used to be that type 1 diabetes was called juvenile diabetes and then the name changed to insulin-dependent diabetes. Originally, it was thought that only children developed type 1 diabetes but now we know that people as old as their late 20s can develop it. Then, it was insulin-dependent because insulin is the only treatment for type 1 diabetes. This was changed eventually too, because insulin is sometimes used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes and then that name changed to non-insulin dependent. While it was true that mostly adults developed type 2 diabetes, people who were being diagnosed were getting younger and younger. In fact, now teens are developing type 2 diabetes. Non-insulin dependent was also a misnomer. Although people with type 2 diabetes usually start off by taking oral hypoglycemics, or pills to lower blood glucose levels, many end up taking insulin at some point because the medications stop being effective.

Insulin

Insulin is a life saver for people with diabetes. Without it, type 1 diabetics would die. It’s also considered the last resort for people with type 2 diabetes. Many people with type 2 fight being put on insulin because they feel that it means that they’re “really” diabetic, that they’ve failed, or that they’re getting worse.

Now, researchers are saying that insulin may not be a good idea for last resort for type 2 diabetes but, rather, as a first line treatment. Researchers wanted to know if using insulin early in type 2 diabetes could improve blood glucose levels, so they studied patients with type 2 diabetes who had not yet begun treatment for up to three years. The results of the study were published in the most recent onlin issue of Diabetes Care.

The researchers found that although the results (lower blood glucose) were similar between the two groups, more patients (83%) in the insulin group stayed with the treatment than the ones who took only pills (72%).

If the results are similar in terms of blood sugar control, but compliance is better with insulin, researchers suggest that insulin may be the best way to begin managing type 2 diabetes, rather than waiting to use it.

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Image: StockXchng

Post from: Blisstree

Insulin 1st-Line for Type 2 Diabetes?

Go get yourself some anti depressants you say? Now although I do agree with and absolutely stand behind the use of such medications, they are not always the answer.

Certain SSRI’s and many other anti depressants, not to mention atypical antipsychotic medications (AAP), have side effects such as weight gain, glucose intolerance and metabolic changes. Ugh!!!

It really comes down to lifestyle changes.I strongly believe you need to modify your life in conjunction with medications if needed. Also, one anti depressant is totally different from another. Find what works for you. I have said this a bazillion, as my kids say, times before… Be your own advocate. Be persistent, in their face, ask questions and demand to be listened to. Remember to say please and thank you though ’cause us nurses are really big on that, haha.

Here is a tidbit of research out of the Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China that goes along with the whole lifestyle change idea…

“Lifestyle intervention and metformin alone and in combination demonstrated efficacy for antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Lifestyle intervention plus metformin showed the best effect on weight loss,” the authors conclude. “Metformin alone was more effective in weight loss and improving insulin sensitivity than lifestyle intervention alone.”

via Center for the Advancement of Health and JAMA and Archives Journals

Post from: Blisstree

Depression.. Weight Gain.. Diabetes- How Do We Stop This?

What gene is being examined and how does this pertain specifically to diabetics? The gene adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, AMPK, which controls the amount of energy in our cells by becoming active when fuel stores start to deplete such as in extreme exercise. The mutation showed a doubling of the energy use in the cells. In diabetics there are high levels of fat stored in the muscle have been linked to insulin resistance, so increased energy production would be a leg up in the right direction.

In addition, as metformin, a drug commonly used to both prevent and treat diabetes, acts by increasing AMPK activity, this discovery provides valuable information for pharmaceutical research.

Could a new drug come out of this discovery? Who knows at this point but it is promising indeed.

via Science Daily

Post from: Blisstree

Gene Mutation Thought To Control Energy Levels In Cells Promising For Diabetics

The clear winner: metformin, sold as Glucophage and generically for about $100 a year. It works as well as other diabetes pills but does not cause weight gain or too-low blood sugar, the analysis found. It also lowers LDL or bad cholesterol. Consumer Reports also published a guide of the results. Besides metformin, it rates glipizide and glimepiride, sold as Amaryl and Glucotrol, as best bets.

This is clearly great news for the many diabetic sufferers that struggle at the pharmacy counter. A much cheaper alternative that still has positive effects in the treatment of diabetes is both welcomed and coveted!

via Delaware Online

Post from: Blisstree

The Older, Cheaper Diabetic Drugs Are Just As Effective As New

“Diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia often coexist in patients,” said Dr. Bays. “This study provides evidence that colesevelam HCl is not only safe and effective in improving cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but may also lower glucose levels as well.”

These findings will be presented at the ADA poster session today in Kentucky. The hopes is that we can once again kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Patients will benefit exponentially if we can lower both A1C and LDL.

Parameters on the study did include…

The addition of colesevelam HCl tablets was compared to the addition of placebo in patients on a metformin-based regimen.

Preliminary numbers look hopeful. And with diabetics being advised to keep very strict control over their cholesterol for prevention, this almost seems like a “no brainer”. Time will tell how it pans out. I will keep y’all posted.

via PR Newswire

Post from: Blisstree

Colesevelam HCl Has Proven To Lower Both A1C And LDL In Diabetic Patients

Merck hopes the combination version will make it easier for those diabetics to control their blood sugar levels.

This comes only 5 months after the drug Januvia was approved by the federal drug administration. Januvia is the first of its type on the market.

JANUVIA is a once-daily pill that helps lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise. It’s a type of prescription diabetes medicine called a DPP-4 inhibitor (blocker). DPP-4 blockers enhance the body’s own ability to keep blood sugar levels balanced.

It is a no brainer for Merck and Co.. More than a third of all diabetic prescriptions are for metformin. Over 90% of patients with diabetes are type 2 diabetics. You do the math! And with each pill costing $3-$5, I venture to say Merck will make out just fine.

The medicine will help Merck compete for a bigger share of the $17 billion market for diabetes treatments, with Januvia and Janumet expected to have more than $2 billion in combined annual sales by 2010, analysts said

How will prescription plan providers cover the medication? Will Janumat become that “answer” for type 2 diabetics, or will it be just out of financial reach for most patients?

via Januvia

Bloomberg

Houston Chronicle

Post from: Blisstree

Federal Approval For New Type 2 Diabetic Medication Janumet

• Patients receiving BYETTA achieved a significant A1C reduction of 1.2% at Week 30 and 1.1% at 2.5 years¹
• Patients with a baseline A1C of >9% experienced, on average, a 2.1% reduction in A1C at 2.5 years¹

Isn’t it easier to take oral medication? Why would a type 2 diabetic want an injectable medication? The drug is very expensive, will insurance cover the cost? These are all questions that came to my mind while researching BYEETA.

BYEETA has to be used as adjunct therapy with other oral medications, like metformin. The medicine works after you eat to lower blood glucose levels by acting in harmony with your stomach, pancreas, liver and brain.

BYEETA also promotes weight loss in most of its patients. That is one side effect I would welcome!

With BYETTA, you may feel less hungry and eat less. In fact, research studies have shown that most patients lost weight. Some medicines for type 2 diabetes, such as sulfonylureas and insulin, can cause weight gain, while other drugs, such as metformin, do not affect weight.

Patients treated with BYETTA lost an average of 5.5 lb by Week 30, which further decreased to11.2 lb at 2.5 years¹

I haven’t personally seen BYEETA used in practice at the hospital that I work, which is an east coast facility. Nor have many of my RN friends at other institutions in the area. Apparently the medication is being prescribed though, I found many blogs dedicated to patients that use this medication with mixed thoughts.

Post from: Blisstree

Is BYETTA The Answer For Type 2 Diabetics?