ME & MY OPERATION: The ‘Smart’ pump that could mean end of type 1 diabetes jabs
In a breakthrough for type 1 diabetes, a new insulin pump could help millions
It brings an artificial pancreas (a completely automatic system) a step closer.
Breakthough: The MiniMed 670G, launched in the NHS earlier this year, is a significant step in this direction — it combines a continuous glucose monitor with a pump, which delivers the right amount of basal insulin 24 hours a day
"WHAT ARE THE FIVE NEW TYPES OF DIABETES?
For decades the disease has been considered to be two different forms - type one, an autoimmune disease in which people stop producing insulin, and type two, in which the body becomes resistant to insulin.
But now a major project in Sweden and Finland has found type two diabetes should actually be categorised as four different diseases.
The researchers, led by experts at Lund University, said the findings should prompt a ‘paradigm shift’ in the way people treat diabetes.
Cluster 1. Severe Autoimmune Diabetes - which until now has been known as ‘type one’ diabetes - is an autoimmune disease in which people stop producing insulin. Usually strikes in childhood but can emerge in adults. Requires insulin injections for life.
Cluster 2. Severe Insulin-Deficient Diabetes - young people often misdiagnosed as having type one, but whose immune systems are fine. Actually a variant of type two diabetes, but often of a healthy weight. High blood sugar, low insulin production and moderate insulin resistance.
Cluster 3. Severe Insulin-Resistant Diabetes - is predominantly linked to obesity and severe insulin resistance.
Cluster 4. Mild Obesity-Related Diabetes - includes obese patients, but is less serious and includes people who fall ill at a relatively young age.
Cluster 5. Mild Age-Related Diabetes is the largest group, with 40 per cent of all patients, and consists mostly of elderly patients."