Since November is National Diabetes Month, I'd like to focus this week on what can be done to help treat, and possibly cure, diabetes. New research is filled with promise. As Vice-Chairman of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, I am strongly promoting greater priority for diabetes research. Everyday, research and new technologies are improving diabetes diagnosis and treatment.
Early diagnosis can significantly reduce the risk of serious complication from diabetes.
Blood testing is also becoming less obtrusive. A Continuous Glucose Monitoring System, recently approved by the FDA, continuously and automatically monitors glucose levels underneath the skin. The glucose values are analyzed every 5 minutes for up to a period of 72 hours, with the data downloaded to a computer enabling the physician to better analyze patient glucose levels. Future generations of this device may permit the patient to monitor blood levels and connect to an insulin pump for seamless care. The GlucoWatch, a device worn like a wristwatch, will test blood levels easily and painlessly.