Over 366 million people across the world suffer from diabetes. There are two types of diabetes, known as type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin; this results in increased glucose levels in the blood which can seriously damage organs and if left untreated lead to multiple organ failure and possible death.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to manage a normal blood glucose level, or when the body fails to make appropriate use of the insulin that has been produced. If managed well type 2 diabetes can be managed through a healthy lifestyle, eating well, and keeping active.
Whichever form of diabetes is diagnosed the patient must change their way of life forever and the toll on local and national health resources will increase still further.
Patients with Type 1 diabetes must sample their blood glucose levels several times per day and many different complications can occur over the short to long term health of the patient, particularly if the glucose levels are not monitored accurately.
A scientific breakthrough at MIT may now help in curbing patient's need to monitor their blood sugar levels and daily injections with insulin.
Nanoparticles were designed to sense glucose levels in the body and release appropriate amounts of insulin thus balancing the bloods glucose levels and negating the need for daily injections and constant monitoring. This breakthrough could dramatically improve the quality of life for diabetes sufferers.
More tests are required, but this could be a major breakthrough in the short term for managing glucose levels in diabetes patients.