DIABETES AND MEDICAL
INNOVATIONS
AVEON HEALTH
Diabetes Experts
34.2 million Americans—just over 1 in 10—have diabetes. 88 million American adults—approximately 1 in 3—have prediabetes.
Feb 11, 2020
As you can see, DIABETES is a real issue in our country, and, as a result, a great deal of research is being conducted to decrease the adverse effects of this problem. Two areas where this is especially so are in the realms of “Healing Bandages” and “Preventive Contacts.”
To most people a Blister is an inconvenience. To a Diabetic, however, it can be downright detrimental! In the Diabetic it can lead to an infection that might require surgery and, in the worst case scenario, amputation! The reason is that in many instances Diabetics have lost feeling in the inflicted areas and, as a result, don’t even realize that there is an issue to deal with until it is too late!
A Research team at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY in Illinois has developed a most unique bandage that not only “covers” the blister/wound but actually promotes healing as well! Rather than a “strip” as most bandages we currently use are, this is applied as a liquid and then develops into a gel!
The main “ingredient” if you would, is the Protein A5G81, which actually motivates the body to heal. As well as this beneficial property, the new bandage is less destructive when it is removed, as it does not tear away any skin, thus re-opening the wound. To date, studies have shown that the new bandage seems to present no additional risk for cancer. The bandage is currently awaiting approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Retinopathy is another concern that Diabetics face, and another area where much research is being conducted. One of the major breakthroughs in this area is pretty apt to be a “glowing” contact lens that is being developed by Colin Cook, a California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech) graduate. Cook and his team discovered that Retinopathy is often accelerated by the presence of oxygen, and that oxygen to the eye increases during sleep and the absence of light.
The new contact lens “glows” like a watch face does. The lens is put in the eye at night, and the “light” it provides reduces the amount of oxygen, thus inhibiting and slowing down the adverse effects of Retinopathy. It is predicted that the new lenses will last up to ten years before the “glow” dims to the point of no longer being affective.
It is important that Diabetics takes care of themselves from top to bottom, and these are just two innovations that will allow us to do just that!
If you, or someone you know, needs help in managing their Diabetes, please call AVEON HEALTH at 480-300-4663 to make an appointment with a member of our staff and allow them to escort you down the path to an improved quality of life for you and your loved ones!
This Blog was written, in great part, with information gleaned from the following sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/bandage-may-help-wounds-for-people-with-diabetes
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/new-contact-lens-could-ease-blindness-caused-by-diabetes