Technology in Treating Type 1 Diabetes

The world of type 1 (or juvenile-onset) diabetes has shifted dramatically in just a few years. As recently as the 1980's, glucose meters used to monitor blood sugars were rare or nearly unaffordable; in the 70's urine dipsticks provided the only clue to blood sugar levels and the only available insulin came from beef or pork, leading to undesirable side effects. Over the past 10 to 15 years, great strides have been made in the development of new technologies for monitoring and treating type 1 diabetes.

Insulin Delivery Systems
For years, diabetics associated insulin with syringes or pens that would inject insulin up to six times per day. While many still choose to use these traditional methods of insulin delivery, other alternatives are available and still more are being developed.

Inhalable insulin is one possibility in the future of diabetic treatment. Exubera, a brand produced by Pfizer, was recommended for approval by an advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration in September 2005. While the cost of inhalable insulin may be higher than traditional delivery methods and the drug is not expected to provide difference in diabetes control compared to injectable insulin, many diabetics may consider freedom from injections well worth it. Exubera is expected to reach the market sometime in 2006; other brands will follow in the following years.