London, 10 June (ANI): The discovery of a new artificial pancreas may one day transform the lives of millions of people with diabetes. The device monitors blood glucose levels and uses an infra-red data link to send information to an insulin pump that is attached to the patient. This insulin pump then adjusts insulin levels according to this information.
The Independent reported that researchers at the University of Cambridge are working on an artificial pancreas since many years. By the end of the year, 24 people would have participated in home trials. The device is still a ways off from being a common treatment for type I diabetes. It will be initially used to prevent insulin levels falling too low during the night.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin, while type 2 diabetes occurs when the cells in the body do not respond to insulin. Diabetes can cause hunger, increased thirst and frequent urination. Type 1 diabetes is often genetically inherited, but type 2 diabetes can be caused by lifestyle factors. This is one of many ‘lifestyle’ diseases that plague people in developed countries. It has a link with heart disease, hypertension and obese.
