Diabetes both type 1, which is an incurable autoimmune disorder, and type 2 which is a lifestyle disease that can be reversed or cured are among the fastest-growing diagnoses in the world. Left untreated, they can cause life-threatening conditions and death. So its not surprising that the medical establishment is pumping resources into new methods of management.

What makes them worthy of talking about here on Geek is that technology is playing a major role. Todays diabetic is often wired up with Bluetooth sensors and custom software that turn them into virtual cyborgs with an awareness of their body chemistry that normal people cant match.

Heres a quick rundown of diabetes if youre not familiar with the condition. When you eat food, its split into three basic categories: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Carbohydrates, which are found primarily in plant products, break down into a sugar called glucose in your digestive system. That glucose is turned into fuel to power your mind and muscles.

The body does that conversion with a hormone called insulin, which is produced by beta cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetics dont make it at all their immune system destroys those beta cells for an as yet unknown reason. Type 2 diabetics make it, but for some reason its less efficient at breaking down glucose into energy.

When the body cant break down glucose, it has to get energy from other places mostly fat, but nothing is safe. That leads to a state of ketosis, where acids released from fats build up. Those acids can cause a wide variety of nerve and tissue damage.

So the life of a diabetic is basically monitoring their carbohydrate intake and then injecting an appropriate amount of insulin, based on a series of complex mathematical formulas, to match it. Too little and they go into ketosis. Too much insulin can drop their blood sugar dangerously low, which can lead to comas and death. Its a delicate tightrope that they walk every day.

The last few decades have seen advances in diabetes treatment that will blow your mind. To put them into context, lets rewind 50 years or so to look at what treatment was like.

Back in the day, a diabetic would wake up every morning and pee into a test tube. Theyd then drop a tablet into it that would change color to tell them what range their blood sugar was in high, normal or low. Theyd then take a single injection of long-lasting time-release insulin that would do for the entire day and hope for the best. When they were done, theyd take the syringe, boil it on the stove to sterilize it and put it back for tomorrow.

Needless to say, the life expectancy for diabetics was pretty short. Without a way to detect highs or lows, their bodies were at the mercy of a variety of factors and many died.

So there were two problems facing diabetics: being able to monitor blood sugar and being able to deliver the appropriate amount of insulin, no more, no less.

Monitoring got easier with the invention of the fingerprick blood glucose monitor in 1981. A drop of blood is introduced to an enzyme, and then an electrical current is passed through it. The number of electrons the sample loses correlates to the amount of glucose present in the sample. This allowed for significantly more precision, delivering a numerical representation of the patients current blood sugar.

That was coupled with the development of faster-acting insulin, so diabetics could treat highs as they happened. The next wave of diabetes care required them to be a more active participant in their management, checking glucose throughout the day and making adjustments as needed. As cool as this was, technology was about to get involved in a big way.

Fingerprick glucose is accurate but requires the diabetic to go through a process every time they want to check (and only works when theyre awake). The threat of low blood sugars at night is a very real one, as glucose levels can drop quickly. An accidental scientific discovery in the mid-1990s helped change the lives of diabetics around the world.

Researchers were experimenting with the bodys cell fluid in the skin and discovered that it basically mirrors the blood glucose level with about a 15-minute delay. In 1999, MiniMed got FDA approval for the first continuous glucose monitor an electrode thats inserted into a diabetics skin that transmits a reading every five minutes without the need to draw blood. Now patients could get real-time feedback on their blood sugar throughout the day. Those early sensors were good for about three days before the bodys immune system rejected them, but modern ones can go for a week or more before theyre changed.

Monitoring that accurate is all well and good, but a diabetic would still need to give themselves an injection to bring high blood sugar down. However, an earlier invention made that process significantly easier. In 1973, Dean Kamen (inventor of the Segway) debuted the worlds first wearable insulin pump, a device that could dose any amount of insulin to a diabetic through a cannula, or small tube, that attached to the body. This gave diabetics even more control over their treatment, enabling them to microdose and control exactly how much of the hormone they receive.

Pumps have advanced significantly over the last decade, with one the Omnipod not needing a tube at all, but affixing directly to the skin and communicating wirelessly with a control device. Patients who manage diabetes with these devices are uniformly in better condition, and even though only one in a thousand diabetics currently uses a pump, that number is rising.

The next step is the artificial pancreas, a device that combines the two into one. These have passed clinical trials and are being rolled out slowly by endocrinologists around the country. Using complex algorithms, they monitor blood glucose and treat it at the same time in a closed-loop system, also administering glucose when blood sugars are too low. Early results are incredibly positive. Like existing pumps and CGMs, they still have to be changed out regularly, but the system marks a significant advance in treatment.

The future of diabetes is even more exciting. Companies are working on insulin that doesnt have to be injected, but rather is absorbed through the skin with a sound-activated patch. Another brand can be inhaled before a meal. Google is collaborating with contact lens manufacturer Alcon on a lens that measures blood sugar through the eye.

So if you see somebody walking around with some little gray boxes attached to their arms or stomach, its highly possible that theyre toting around a cyborg pancreas, wired into the cloud and keeping them healthy.

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How Diabetes Is Transforming People Into Real-Life Cyborgs - Geek

VERSAILLES, Ky.(WKYT) Saturday June 3, 2017 hundreds will come together to walk and run in an effort to help stop diabetes.

In Kentucky more than 300,000 people of all ages are living with diabetes.

One of those taking part this weekend is Parker Thomas, a young man from Woodford County who has used his diagnosis to help in the fight to find a cure from a very young age. As WKYT's Amber Philpott reports Thomas hopes his work will inspire others battling the disease to get involved.

WKYT first introduced you to Parker Thomas back in 2011, the spunky then 12-year-old was all about baseball and wasn't shy when asked about something very personal.

"On a daily basis I check around 10 to 12 times a day probably," said Parker Thomas.

The little leaguer, diagnosed at the age of eight looked at diabetes like a pitcher would face a batter. For Parker, striking it out became his mission.

"I want to find a cure, why not."

To do that, Parker and his family joined the annual Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes in Lexington, raising money to find that cure.

Parker also became a Youth Ambassador for the American Diabetes Association serving as a role model to countless youngsters with diabetes.

Fast forward to 2017, Parker now 18 just finished up his senior year at Woodford County High School. To this day, that mission and diabetes are still an everyday part of his life.

"It's never ending obviously, but I feel like we've definitely made strides from going from an insulin pen to a pump which has been miraculous. Right now it's the closest thing to a cure we have."

On Saturday Parker and his Scoops Crew team will again take part in that walk. His team is always easy to spot in the "scoops" shirts that have helped him raise some $30,000.

Parker says this year is the last Scoops Crew shirts he will hand out; he is headed off to college this fall to play baseball.

It's a bittersweet yet proud moment for Parker's mom.

"He used to be inspired by others and now I'm seeing others inspired by him and as a mom what more can you ask for," said Carrie Thomas.

Parker has done his best to strike out diabetes, now he's hoping his work will inspire another youngster to step up to bat to help in the fight to find a cure.

Parker says despite hanging up his fundraising hat, he will be back for the walk in years to come, and he will always support the ADA.

You can support the annual Step Out Walk this Saturday, June 3 at Keeneland. There is a 3 mile walk and run offered. For more information click on the link you see on this page.

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Versailles teen continues mission to strike out diabetes - WKYT

LA JOLLA, Calif. (KGTV) - This weekend 30,000 runners will be taking over the streets of San Diego for the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. They'll be able to tackle either a 5K, half marathon or full marathon.

For Kristy Castillo, it will be her first time running the full course, 26 miles. A few years ago, it was something she never thought was in her reach.

"It was always a roadblock as far as me wanting to get engaged in intense activity."

That's because Castillo lives with Type 1 Diabetes. Her body doesn't produce the insulin needed to process sugar and produce energy. Long distance running or any intense exercise sends her blood sugar levels on a rollercoaster, spiking and dropping.

"When your sugars go up you feel more sluggish, your performance isn't as good. When blood sugars go down, you feel real jittery," said Castillo.

It will be the longest race of her life. But in addition to her training, she'll also be armed with a new device that will not only monitor her blood sugar but pump insulin at the same time.

With Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), patients are able to measure glucose levels in real-time throughout the day and night. It's also waterproof.

"Over those few weeks, it started learning my body and the rhythms and is keeping my blood sugar steady during these intense runs."

Dr. Athena Philis-Tsimikas, Corporate Vice President for the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute, says the device is a game-changer for patients.

"It really will allow patients who previously had to think of everything, they had to be the brains behind how to inject their insulin, they now allow that process to be automated," said Philis-Tsimikas.

Leaving patients like Castillo in control of their diabetes.

"It's a part of me, and it can take this journey with me, but I don't want it to define me," said Castillo.

You can follow Castillo's race on Sunday by entering your number here and receiving text messages. Runners will be wearing a GPS chip in their shoes so family and friends can watch their progress ever step of the race.

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New tech helping Type 1 Diabetes patient race to marathon finish line - 10News

From Wednesday to Friday, the Silva familys life changed. Zahmira Silva, then 7, had a teacher question whether frequent requests to use the restroom could have other explanations than just a desire to get out of class. Zahmira and her parents Rudy and Shawn Silva made an appointment to see the doctor on a Wednesday. The diagnosis: Type 1 diabetes.

I went home to search online and just scared myself, said Shawn.

Overnight our world changed, Rudy said.

By Friday, Zahmira and her parents were in the hospital for a five-day crash course of diabetes education and to get her blood sugar under control.

Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, the main type of sugar in the blood. Typically, bodies naturally break down food into glucose. When the glucose level rises, the pancreas makes the hormone insulin and releases it into the blood. With diabetes, the body doesnt produce insulin (Type 1) or cant respond to insulin properly (Type 2.) In either case, with high blood sugar levels remaining in the body, there can be complications.

Type 1 symptoms include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, and blurred vision. Children also may feel very tired. Type 2 symptoms are progress slowly and include Type 1 symptoms but also frequent infections, slow healing of wounds or sores, yeast infections or burning on urination due to yeast infection. With extreme elevation of glucose in the blood, there may be signs of severe dehydration and coma.

The prevalence of diabetes along the U.S. Mexico border is 16.1 percent compared to 8.3 percent in the U.S. population as a whole. American Diabetes Association

One of the most common disease is school-aged children, diabetes is still a terrifying diagnoses for a parent to hear about their child. In 2012, about 208,000 young people in the U.S. under the age of 20 were diagnosed with diabetes. Many nationwide look to support groups to help navigate this life change.

They taught us how to survive at the hospital, but having a support group, thats where we learned how to live with it and be smart about it, Rudy said.

For five years, the Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach has had a support group specifically for children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Established in 1998 by local health professionals and other citizens, the organizers were dedicated to helping prevent and manage diabetes affecting the community. Volunteers like Beverly Estrada, the coordinator for the group, create a special connection to the children and parents looking for someone to talk to and learn from Estrada herself was diagnosed at the age of 5 with Type 1 diabetes.

The adjustment for the Silva family, who also have three older sons, was hard, especially at first when they wiped their pantry clean. However, they later learned through education through the support group the wide variety of food they could offer Zahmira.

Its not about deprivation, its about eating properly and how to balance your plate, Estrada said.

Id tell them its not too bad because when you get older it gets easier. Zahmira Silva, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 7

In the support group, she teaches parents and children about counting carbohydrates such as breads, pasta and rice; and how those can affect blood glucose levels.

Its also dealing with emotions, sometimes self-esteem takes a hit, Estrada explained. No one like changes, because change is never easy and there is nothing worse to be diagnosed with something you may know nothing about.

She notes that diagnosis and journey that follows for the child and family is not an easy one.

Shawna, Zahmira, 10, and Sabian Silva, at a warm up before Zahmira's baseball game on May 15. With Zahmira's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis meant not only a lifestyle change for her, but for her whole family. Support and education is key to maintaining a healthy environment. (Photo: Josh Bachman/Sun-News)

There (are) a million questions, she said. You might feel like youre failing as a parent, and youre guessing, but come out because there are so many in the same shoes walking this journey. Educate yourself, embrace it and take it on and make it your best friend.

Zahmira suggested a simple measure for other kids like her.

Id tell them its not too bad because when you get older it gets easier, she said.

She also thought about how she handled the change in her life, and admitted that she feels pretty normal.

You have two choices: you dont take care of it and the worst happens, or you jump in with both feet, Rudy said. And I feel the proudest of her answer, that she does feel normal.

Cassie McClure is a freelance writer and may be reached at cassiemcclure@gmail.com.

About 208,000 Americans under age 20 have been diagnosed diabetes, approximately 0.25 percent of the population.

From 2008 to 2009, the annual incidence of diagnosed diabetes in youth was estimated at 18,436 with type 1 diabetes, 5,089 with type 2 diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2012, there are 8.1 million people undiagnosed with diabetes.

25.8 million: The estimated number of children and adults that have diabetes which is 8.3 percent of the population

79 million: The number of Americans with prediabetes

The prevalence of diabetes along the U.S. Mexico border is 16.1 percent compared to 8.3 percent in the U.S. population as a whole.

Hispanics are 1.7 times as likely to have diabetes when compared to non-Hispanic whites.

Source: American Diabetes Association

Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach has a support group for elementary-, middle- and high school-age youths from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesdays of each month at MountainView Senior Circle Association, 3948 E. Lohman Ave., Suite 1 (behind Walgreens). Snacks are provided. Parents/guardians are required to attend. Children under five are also accepted when diagnosed. Info: 575-522-0289, snmdo.org and snmdo@snmdo.org

El Paso Diabetes Association has two opportunities for children and adolescents with diabetes:

Info: epdiabetes.org, info@epdiabetes.org and 915-532-6280

The American Diabetes Association has a section just for kids with diabetes and their parents, including how to have discussions with your children and strategies for parents together: Info:www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/parents-and-kids

Children with Diabetes highlights the stories of other children with diabetes and tips for parents Info:www.childrenwithdiabetes.com

Myth: People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.

Fact: A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as a healthy eating for anyone low in saturated and trans fat, moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and fruit. "Diabetic" foods generally offer no special benefit. Most of them still raise blood glucose levels, are usually more expensive and can also have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.

Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Fact: The answer is not so simple. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors.

Being overweight does increase your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain. Research has shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to Type 2 diabetes.

Myth: People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate.

Fact: If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes. They are no more "off limits" to people with diabetes than they are to people without diabetes. The key to sweets is to have a very small portion and save them for special occasions so you focus your meal on more healthful foods.

Source: American Diabetes Association

Excerpt from:
Growing up with diabetes - Las Cruces Sun-News