Category Archives: Diabetes

JNS.org A novel approach to treating Type 2 diabetes is being developed at the TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology in Haifa.

The disease, caused by insulin resistance and the reduction of cells ability to absorb sugar, is characterized by increased blood-sugar levels. Its long-term complications include heart disease, strokes, damage to the retina that can result in blindness, kidney failure and poor blood flow in the limbs that may lead to amputations.

It is currently treated by a combination of lifestyle changes, medication and insulin injections, but ultimately is associated with a 10-year reduction in life expectancy.

Ph.D. student Rita Beckerman from the Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory in the Technions Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, who conducted the research with professor Shulamit Levenberg, presented a novel treatment approach, using an autograft of muscle cells engineered to take in sugar at increased rates. Mice treated in this manner displayed normal blood sugar levels for months after a single procedure.

The groups findings were recently published inScience Advances.

Muscle cells are among the main targets of insulin and they are supposed to absorb sugar from the blood. In their study, Levenbergs group isolated muscle cells from mice and engineered these cells to present more insulin-activated sugar transporters (GLUT4). These cells were then grown to form engineered muscle tissue and finally transported back into the abdomen of diabetic mice.

The engineered cells not only proceeded to absorb sugar correctly, improving blood sugar levels; they also induced improved absorption in the mices other muscle cells by means of signals sent between them. After this one treatment, the mice remained cured of diabetes for four monthsthe entire period they remained under observation. Their blood sugar levels remained lower, and they had reduced levels of fatty liver normally displayed in Type 2 diabetes.

By taking cells from the patient and treating them, we eliminate the risk of rejection, explained Levenberg. These cells can easily integrate back into being part of the body and respond to the bodys signaling activity.

Currently, some 34 million Americansa little more than one in 10suffer from diabetes, 90 percent of them from Type 2 diabetes. An effective treatment, and one that is a one-time treatment rather than daily medication, could significantly improve both the quality of life and life expectancy of those who have diabetes. The same method could also be used to treat various enzyme deficiency disorders.

The work was funded by Rina and Avner Schneur as part of the Rina and Avner Schneur Center for Diabetes Research.

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Technion Biomed Engineers Assess Novel Approach to Treating Type 2 Diabetes - Algemeiner

JOENSUU, Finland Type 2 diabetes is a condition that around one in 10 Americans deal with on a daily basis. When you factor in the costs of changing diets and lifestyles, doctor visits, and drugs for managing blood sugar, diabetes is not just a health burden but a financial burden as well. Now, researchers in Finland say eating more whole grains significantly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Moreover, their review finds adding more whole grains to the publics diet will substantially cut down the economic costs that come with treating diabetes. Study authors say the target should be three to six servings of whole grains each day to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. However, even one serving can help keep blood sugar levels in check.

Our study shows that already one serving of full grains as part of the daily diet reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes at the population level and, consequently, the direct diabetes-related costs, when compared to people who do not eat whole grain foods on a daily basis. Over the next ten years, societys potential to achieve cost savings would be from 300 million (-3.3%) to almost one billion (-12.2%) euros in current value, depending on the presumed proportion of whole grain foods in the daily diet. On the level of individuals, this means more healthier years, says Professor Janne Martikainen from the University of Eastern Finland in a release.

For comparison, Finland has a population of just 5.5. million people. The U.S. has a population of the roughly 330 million, with around 34 million dealing with diabetes, according to the CDC. The cost savings of preventing type 2 diabetes would be immeasurable.

Globally, diabetes is one of the fastest-growing chronic illnesses. Previous studies estimate that up to half a billion people worldwide have diabetes, including many who dont even know they have the condition.

Although proper diet can play a major role in staving off insulin resistance, study authors find few people, both in Finland and worldwide, get the recommended amounts of daily nutrients that doctors suggest.

According to nutrition recommendations, at least 36 servings of whole grain foods should be eaten daily, depending on an individuals energy requirement. One third of Finns do not eat even one dose of whole grains on a daily basis, and two thirds have a too low fiber intake, says research manager Jaana Lindstrm from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

The team analyzed national follow-up studies to see the health and economic effects of eating more whole grains. This data allowed researchers to see the link between diet and the development of diabetes later on.

By combining population-level data on the incidence of type 2 diabetes and the costs of its treatment, as well as published evidence on the effects of how consumption of whole grain foods reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes, we were able to assess the potential health and economic benefits from both social and individual viewpoints, Martikainen concludes.

The findings appear in the journal Nutrients.

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3 to 6 servings of whole grains can cut the risk and medical costs of treating diabetes - Study Finds

People with diabetes are at increased risk for gastroparesisa digestive disorder that can cause severe symptoms and affect quality of life.

Diabetes is the most common known cause of gastroparesis, a digestive disorder that may lead to poor nutrition, problems managing blood glucose, and a reduced quality of life. Here, Dr. Adil E. Bharuchaone of the authors of the chapter, Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Diabetes, in the NIDDK publication Diabetes in America, 3rd Editiondiscusses how health care professionals can diagnose and treat gastroparesis in patients with diabetes.

Q: What is gastroparesis? How common is gastroparesis in people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

A: Gastroparesis is a condition in which the muscles in the wall of the stomach work poorly or dont work at all, slowing or delaying the rate at which food empties from the stomach to the intestine. This is called delayed gastric emptying. In gastroparesis, gastric emptying is delayed because the muscles don't work effectively, not because a blockage prevents food from moving from the stomach to the intestine.

While delayed gastric emptying is relatively common in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetesaffecting up to half of this population in some studiesa diagnosis of gastroparesis requires both delayed gastric emptying and moderate to severe digestive symptoms, such as feeling full shortly after starting a meal, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, or bloating. Based on this definition, gastroparesis is uncommon.

In one study, over a period of 10 years, about 5% of people with type 1 diabetes and about 1% of people with type 2 diabetes developed gastroparesis. Less than 1% of people without diabetes developed gastroparesis during the study.

Q: In people with diabetes, what is the relationship between gastroparesis and blood glucose levels?

A: There is a two-way relationship between blood glucose and stomach emptyingthat is, blood glucose levels affect stomach functions, and vice versa. Some studies suggest that high blood glucose levels increase the risk for gastroparesis. Conversely, gastroparesis may make it difficult for some people with diabetes to manage their blood glucose levels.

That said, there are several unanswered questions about the relationship between blood glucose and stomach emptying, and research is ongoing in this area.

Q: When should health care professionals suspect that a patient with diabetes has gastroparesis?

A: It is important for health care professionals to ask people with diabetes whether they have some of the digestive symptoms of gastroparesis, such as

the feeling of fullness shortly after starting to eat a meal

the inability to complete a regular meal

a sense of fullness that persists long after completing a meal

other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, vomiting, heartburn, and a lack of appetite

In some studies, up to 50% of people with diabetes have delayed gastric emptying, but most of these people have no digestive symptoms or have only mild symptoms. In some patients, problems managing blood glucose levels may be a sign of delayed gastric emptying. Health care professionals might consider assessing stomach emptying in patients who have problems managing their diabetes.

People who have diabetes and diabetes-related complicationssuch as a peripheral or autonomic neuropathy, retinopathy, or nephropathyhave a greater likelihood of having stomach complications. However, people without other diabetes-related complications may also develop delayed gastric emptying. So, health care professionals cant rely on the presence or absence of these complications to effectively determine whether patients have delayed gastric emptying.

Q: How is gastroparesis diagnosed?

A: Health care professionals cant diagnose gastroparesis based on symptoms alone. A gastric emptying studyusing gastric emptying scintigraphy, a gastric emptying breath test, or a wireless motility capsuleis necessary to determine whether the stomach empties normally, slowly, or rapidly. If a gastric emptying study shows that the stomach empties slowly, health care professionals may need to order an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy to make sure nothing is physically blocking the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine.

Q: How does gastroparesis affect health and quality of life?

A: Many people with gastroparesis feel uncomfortable, have severe nausea, or vomit after eating. These symptoms can be devastating to some patients. Most people with gastroparesis tend to consume less nutrients than they need. So, gastroparesis can markedly impair a persons quality of life.

Q: What are the treatment options for gastroparesis?

A: Treatment typically starts with making changes to a patient's diet, which is often effective. Changes include

limiting fat intake to 25% to 30% of total calories

limiting fiber intake to 15 grams for every 1,000 calories consumed

eating foods like mashed potatoes that are easy to mash with a fork into small particles

If changing a patients diet doesnt work, health care professionals can recommend medicines to reduce nausea or improve gastric emptying. Health care professionals should also review the list of medicines a patient is taking and, if possible, discontinue medicines that might delay stomach emptying, especially opioids.

To help prevent high or low blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes and gastroparesis, health care professionals may recommend changes in how patients manage their diabetes, including changes in how they take insulin or other diabetes medicines. Typically, people take a dose of regular insulin 15 to 20 minutes before a meal. With that timing, the insulin should be effective when food empties from the stomach, nutrients are absorbed, and glucose enters the blood stream. However, if the stomach empties slowly and the nutrients take longer to be absorbed, the insulin may begin to exert its effect before glucose enters the bloodstream.

Q: What research is being conducted on gastroparesis in people who have diabetes?

A: Exciting, ongoing research studies are investigating why people with diabetes develop gastroparesis. For example, some studies are investigating whether immune cells called macrophages might injure the stomach muscles and delay stomach emptying in people with diabetes. Understanding the process by which macrophages injure stomach muscles could lead to new treatments that address that process.

My research group is evaluating whether epigenetic changesthat is, changes that affect the expression of genes, not the genes themselvesmight affect stomach emptying in people with diabetes. Several drugs that are safe and approved for use in humans may affect these epigenetic changes, and these drugs are undergoing clinical trials.

How do you check for and manage gastroparesis in patients who have diabetes? Tell us below in the comments.

Originally posted here:
How Does Gastroparesis Affect People with Diabetes? | NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) In this weeksTechTuesday, were taking a look at thetechnology used to help the more than 10% of Americans with diabetes may also help the rest of us.

ABCs Becky Worley tried out a new app and device that says it can give you near-real time reports on how the food you eat impacts your body.

Medical experts advise steady blood sugar levels generally keep the body in a state of using food as fuel. but this is important, big spikes in blood sugar can stimulate your body to store fat, increase your risk of heart disease and spur chronic inflammation.

Dr. Aaron Neinstein prescribes continuous glucose monitors to his patients with diabetes.

What makes them so effective is that they empower people to learn about their health in a way that wasnt possible before by seeing the impacts right away?

When youre exercising, your body is able to bring glucose or sugar into the cells without insulin. And so it is a very effective tool, said Dr. Neinstein.

Now, all of these apps say they are not a substitute for medical care and not for people with diabetes. a glucose monitor used by many of these apps is made by Abbott who tell us it is currently only for use with a doctors prescription.

Abbott is not affiliated with these companies that promote off-label use.

The Levels app telling Good Morning America that while their software isnt FDA regulated, doctors routinely prescribe drugs and devices intended for other uses that they think can help patients.

Their terms of service says we do not warrant that the results that may be obtained from the use of the service will be accurate or reliable.

The bottom line?

Much more research is needed to help us understand what the risks and benefits might be for people who dont have diabetes.

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Tech Tuesday: Diabetes tech may be able to help those without diabetes - WLNS

Published: Oct. 27, 2021 at 7:30 AM CDT|Updated: 18 hours ago

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Healogics, the nation's leading provider of world-class wound care services, is proud to announce the eighth annual Diabetes Awareness Campaign throughout the month of November, which is National Diabetes Awareness Month. The Healogics wound care specialists, at the more than 600 Healogics Wound Care Centers nationwide, will be raising awareness of the importance of early intervention and specialized care for diabetes-related chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers are a leading cause of lower-limb amputations and according to the American Diabetes Association, an average of 10 Americans will undergo an amputation due to diabetes every hour. Of the 34.2 million Americans currently living with diabetes, up to 25% may develop a diabetic foot ulcer.These hard-to-heal wounds often go undetected due to the lack of feeling in the lower extremities due to nerve damage caused by diabetes.

The 2021 Diabetes Awareness Infographic provides important statistics about diabetes, foot wounds and amputations. It shares the hypothetical story of a person living with diabetes who discovers a wound on her foot and seeks specialized care. Research shows that specialized wound care increases healing rates while decreasing the potential of an amputation.

The Healogics Diabetes Awareness Campaign is part of the year-long 2021 The Year of Healing program, dedicated to empowering both patients and healthcare providers with resources to help improve health, heal wounds and prevent amputations. The 2021 Diabetes Awareness Toolkit includes patient-education resources, including foot check guidelines and clinical research regarding advanced treatments for diabetic foot ulcers, including studies reviewing the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Visit the DiabetesWoundAwareness.com webpage to learn more.

About Healogics

Healogics is the nation's wound healing expert. Last year over 300,000 patients received advanced wound care through a network of over 600 Wound Care Centers. Healogics also partners with over 300 skilled nursing facilities to care for patients with chronic wounds and provides inpatient consults at more than 60 partner hospitals. Healogics has the largest repository of chronic wound-specific patient data in the country. The Healogics Wound Science Initiative offers peer-reviewed research for better outcomes and a better way to provide care.

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SOURCE Healogics, LLC

The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc.

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Healogics 8th Annual Diabetes Awareness Campaign, Chronic Wound Healing through Specialized Care - KSNB Local 4

Congress must pass bills that are stuck behind bureaucracys red tape to help those living with diabetes. Legislation would help 50,000 Tennesseans.

Tiffany Richardson| Guest Columnist

Tennessee Voices: A conversation with Dr. Shindana Feagins

Metro Hospitality Authority Chair Dr. Shindana Feagins spoke with Tennessean Opinion Editor David Plazas.

Nashville Tennessean

Do you remember all the uproar aboutskyrocketing insulin prices and the horrific impactthese prices had on those living with diabetes?

Well, for Michael Hague, a62-year-old man from East Tennessee, that problem still exists. He is still forced to ration his insulin because of its exorbitant cost.There hasnt been much improvement in increasing insulin affordability andaccessibility.

Today, I am asking you to stand behind the ideals you were elected upon:healthcare being a fundamental human right.

Michael needs you to support recent federal legislation proposing to prohibit co-payments for insulin under Medicaid and Medicare prescription drug benefits.

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This legislation entitled theInsulin Access for All Act of 2021would relieve financial and psychological burdens on more than 50,000 Tennesseansthat use insulin to treat their diabetes.

On average, someone is diagnosed with diabetes every 21 seconds. Diabetes rates are on the rise globally.Unfortunately,Tennessee isleading the charge in these diagnosis rates.

About 13%, or more than 650,000 Tennesseans, have been diagnosed with diabetes. Because of the unjustifiably rising costs of insulin. Some are forced to forgo essentials such as groceries for their families. Some have resulted in sellingthe roof over their heads in order to afford a life-saving drug thats needed on a daily basis.

Low-incomeand elderly populationsthat Medicare and Medicaid serve are at the greatest risk of beingaffected by these inexcusably surging prices.

Lets revisit Michaels story to better showcase the struggle these 650,000 Tennesseans face. Michael needsto inject insulin upwards of seventimes a day due to of his diabetes. He must make a conscious decision each time he starts to feel a little woozy from high blood sugar levels.

He asks himself whether or not this needs to be the time to ration his insulin because hes running low and cannot afford more for the month. Without insulin, Michael and many others would succumb to a painful, drawn-outand most importantlyunnecessary death.

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Last year,Tennessee legislators introduced a new billthat sought to put a $100 cap on the amount that would pay for a 30-day insulin supply. This legislation is still undergoing discussion and is not in effect.

Tennessee needs to follow theexample set by other statesthroughout the country and pass bills that are stuck behind bureaucracys red tape to help those living with diabetes.

The Insulin Access for All Act of 2021 is needed to provide more accessible and affordable insulinfor Tennesseans. This new federal legislation is an essential and pressing solution to get a life-saving therapeutic into the hands of diabetes patients without the financial and psychological burdens Ive discussed here.

Roughly10 people were diagnosed with diabetes during the course of our discussion alone.

How many of those people are going to go without insulin today?Tenneseelawmakers need to support legislation for their constituencys diabetic needs.

Tiffany Richardson is a senior fifth-year Ph.D. candidate, diabetes researcher, and educator at Vanderbilt University and Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

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The insulin cost crisis is still a crisis in Tennessee that Congress must fix | Opinion - Tennessean

Diabetes is a condition characterised by unruly blood sugar levels, that set the stage for a host of complications if left untreated. Another key pathology in the condition is failure to respond to insulin, a hormone that facilitates the absorption of blood sugar. There is increasing evidence, however, that certain foods can help lower glucose. One drink has proven effective at taming post-meal sugar spikes within 45 minutes of intake.

Lemon juice, which is packed with polyphenols, is often mixed with water to help flush toxins out of the body.

The drink has been used as an antidote for years, thanks to its antibacterial compounds that carry a host of benefits for the body.

According to one Japanese study, lemon juice may also help lower untimely blood sugar spikes.

While the drink may not directly lower blood sugar levels, it may prevent levels from spiking after a meal.

READ MORE: Diabetes diet: Why drinking 8p tea every day can lower your blood sugar levels

Researchers probed the effects of lemon juice on blood sugar to assess whether it may reduce glycative stress - a precursor for premature ageing and diabetes.

The team found that intake of 100% lemon juice, with no additives may help stave off disease progressions.

The researchers hypothesised the effects may be down to the citric acid content of lemon juice.

To put these effects to the test, they recruited 12 subjects, all aged between 20 to 30 years, who were divided into three different groups.

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The first control group simply ate 200 grams of cooked rice, while a second group was given 15 grams of lemon juice, followed by 200 grams of cooked rice.

The third group of participants were given 30 grams of lemon juice followed by 200 grams of cooked rice.

Lemon juice was mixed with water, and all subjects were instructed to eat food within 10 minutes of drinking their beverage.

All participants had their blood sugar levels measured at zero, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after consumption.

Findings revealed that the group who drank the highest amounts of lemon juice had significantly lower blood glucose levels at 45 minutes, compared to the group who drank none.

Researchers also noted that participants who drank lower amounts of lemon juice has lower blood glucose than those who drank none.

The difference, however, was not significant.

According to the NHS, high blood sugar can affect people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, as well as pregnant women with gestational diabetes.

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Diabetes: The cleansing drink that significantly lowers blood sugar spikes after 'minutes' - Express

CROWN POINT, Ind., October 26, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Neurodon Corp. reported that a pharmaceutical industry veteran, who spearheaded the development of blockbuster diabetes drugs Januvia and Janumet for Merck, said at the companys 2nd annual Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) meeting that he is even more enthusiastic about the diabetes therapy it is developing. In addition to controlling blood glucose, the expert said data indicates Neurodons investigational diabetes drug restored beta cell health in several models of the disease, something no other drug on the market can do.

Neurodons diabetes drug NDC-0009 has the potential to treat both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as well as pre-diabetes, said John Amatruda, M.D., former senior vice president for diabetes and obesity drug development at Merck. "The drug would be a gamechanger for patients," Dr Armatruda said.

Orally-available NDC-0009 is one of several first-in-class curative molecules Neurodon is developing for multiple diseases by targeting specific cellular stress pathways.

"Were gratified for the validation of our hypothesis from such a respected expert with a broad and deep understanding of diabetes drug development," said Neurodon CEO Russell Dahl, Ph.D. "We hope to continue our rapid-fire progress with positive results, enabling us to begin clinical trials in late 2022," Dahl said. The company plans to file an investigational new drug (IND) application with the FDA in mid-2022.

Also at Neurodons SAB meeting, experts in Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases, as well as a specialist in cellular calcium regulation, presented their findings from early-stage research on the companys drugs.

"Ive been very excited to see new research that shows its possible to boost calcium handling since a disruption of calcium levels is such a widespread disease mechanism," said Seth Robia, Ph.D., a researcher at Loyola School of Medicine and member of Neurodons SAB. "It makes me very hopeful for our efforts to develop a therapeutic strategy based on restoring healthy calcium handling," Robia said.

Story continues

Research findings presented by SAB member and Alzheimers expert Ilya Bezprozvanny, Ph.D., from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, showed Neurodons compounds protect hippocampal neurons that are destroyed by the disease.

Additionally, D. James Surmeier, Ph.D., a Parkinsons researcher at Northwestern University and an SAB member, noted that by restoring calcium homeostasis the companys compounds can feasibly halt neuron loss and hence stop Parkinsons pathogenesis. This suggests that Neurodons candidate has the potential to be the first ever disease-modifying drug for Parkinsons.

"It is very exciting to see further validation of Neurodons unique approach to targeting ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress and calcium imbalance for a variety of disorders," said Bezprozvanny, the Alzheimers expert. "Discussions at the SAB meeting provided interesting mechanistic insights into the companys approach and helped to put Neurodons program in the context of the wider field of drug discovery."

About Neurodon

Neurodon is developing disease-modifying drugs for diabetes, neurodegeneration and other life-threatening conditions. Neurodon deploys its proprietary endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress -based technology platform to discover small molecules that can reduce the cellular dysfunction that is the root cause of many diseases.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211026005435/en/

Contacts

Terri SomersSomers Media+1 (760) 846-4339terri@somersmedia.com

Continued here:
Curative Potential for Diabetes, Alzheimers and Parkinsons Seen in Research Data Highlighted at Neurodons 2nd Annual Scientific Advisory Board Meeting...

Active Southern West Virginias next free Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Lifestyle Change course is open for registration

Class are schedule to begin in January, An upcoming information session will address the benefits of the class.

Prevent T2 Lifestyle Change is part of the National Diabetes prevention program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This class is proven to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Research shows that modest behavior changes, such as making better food choices and increasing physical activity reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent in people at high risk for developing this disease.

Active SWV offers regular Prevent T2 classes to the communities it serves at no cost.

The course, offered through Zoom, is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 18th, at 6 p.m. and will meet weekly for 6 months, and then monthly for 6 months.

To register, go to https://activeswv.org/prevent-t2/. By registering, participants will also receive an email invite to attend the upcoming virtual informational session about the course scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m.

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Active SWV offering course to prevent Type 2 diabetes - Beckley Register-Herald

Diabetes is the result of poor insulin production - a hormone that controls how much sugar circulates in the blood - in the pancreas. Many are able to manage their blood sugar by sticking to a restrictive diet, but those who don't could be putting themselves at risk of vision loss. Giles Edmonds, clinical services director at supersavers, explains that two signs in the eyes warrant immediate medical help.

As retinopathy develops, blood vessels can weaken, bulge or leak into the retina and be referred to as non-proliferative retinopathy, explained Edmonds.

However, if it worsens, some vessels can close off which causes new ones to grow or proliferate, on the surface of the retina.

This is known as proliferative retinopathy and can lead to problems with your vision and even sight loss.

As the blood vessels overgrow or start leaking and the retina becomes impaired, two notable signs may arise.

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The first signs of this damage could be signalled through floaters, which are spots in your vision that usually resemble black or grey specks.

These cobweb-looking shapes may become particularly apparent when you move your eyes.

Mr Edmonds explained Most people will experience floaters in their vision at some point in their life - particularly as we reach older age as the jelly-like substance in our eyes becomes more liquid.

If you notice more eye floaters than usual, a sudden onset of new ones, flashes of lights in the eye or darkness on any side of your vision, you must get it looked at immediately as in some cases it can be a symptom of diabetic retinopathy."

Blurred vision is another associated with a litany of conditions - and the majority of cases will be benign.

In diabetics, however, damage to the blood vessels in the eyes that sense light can result in vision becoming blurred.

Mr Edmonds added: Blurry vision can also be a symptom of diabetes which can resolve when blood sugars start to reduce after diagnosis and starting treatment.

It can also lead to dimmer vision as if youre wearing sunglasses or struggling to see when its dark, which are important signs not to ignore.

For those who are diabetic, getting dilated eye exams is imperative to protecting the eyes from sight loss.

Certain lifestyle habits, such as eating a healthy diet, could also stave off or delay vision loss.

A line of research has shown that keeping fit through regular exercise could also reduce your chances of getting diabetic retinopathy.

In fact, all the preventative measures recommended for diabetes, also hold promise for retinopathy.

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Diabetes: Two subtle warning signs signalling the condition has become sight-threatening - Express