-
First Form of Diagnosis
Diabetes was first documented and not much was known about the disease. There is no effective treatment and the disease became fatal within a few weeks to months after diagnosis due to insulin deficiency.
They would typically test for diabetes by drinking urine. If it tasted sweet, that is an indicator that the body was not properly absorbing glucose thus lead to the diagnosis of diabetes. -
1889
Joseph von Mering and Oskar Minkowski found that removing the pancreas from dogs resulted in fatal diabetes; lead to the first clue that the pancreas was vital to regulation glucose concentrations. -
1894 and 1995 Oral Treatment
The FDA approves oral diabetes medication that will help control blood sugar levels. The medications will help stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin . -
1900
Treatment: take a daily alkaline-sponge bath and take sugar of lead to restrict flow of urine. If not work, take two drop-doses of creosote or clear opium. Diet should only include tender, fresh meat and important to drink little. -
1910
Edward Albert Sharpey-Schafer hypothesized that diabetes was due to a deficiency of a single chemical compound produced by the pancreas, calling this chemical insulin. -
1921
At about this time, Frederick Banting and Charles best discovered insulin when they reversed diabetes that been induced in dogs when extract from the pancreas islet of cells of healthy dogs were put into the blood stream. With the help of James Collip and John Macleod, insulin was purified from bovine pancreases and it was started to be used as treatment for patients with diabetes. Patients were finally able to live for longer periods of time after diagnosis due to more effective treatments. -
1923
By this time, insulin was being produced commercially and was able to be used as treatment in most western countries. The first shots were quick and short acting 'soluble or regular' insulin. It had to be injected twice daily. They did have complications such as pain and abscesses. -
1950
Diagnosis: conduct eye exam to look for cloudiness. Checked main arteries in arms and feet to look for blockages by noting lower than normal pulse. Complete urinalysis to test for glucose in urine.
Treatment: Put patient on special diet, consuming 80 grams protein, 80 grams fat, and 160 grams carbohydrates. It is important to stay away from alcohol. Furthermore, blood sugar will be stabilized with the use of insulin injections. -
1953
Tablets became widely available for testing urine of glucose levels. Test strips would become available in 1964. -
1957
The diagnosis of diabetes was improved by the technique of immunoassy found by Solomon and Berson and Rosalind Yalow. Minute concentrations of insulin can be constantly measured and were found to be accurate. -
1977 A1C
Researchers in Boston developed the A1C test, which is now most commonly used for measuring glucose levels and keeping control for a duration of time. This test calculates the average blood sugar levels by measuring glycated hemoglobin. -
1998
Diagnosis: Have a urinalysis completed as well as a glucose test in order to check levels. The urinalysis will be able to detect if glucose and ketones are in urine, which would be an indicator of diabetes.
Treatment: To treat, -
Now
Current treatment includes insulin shots, continuing testing levels with the A1C tests. It is recommended to keep up with exercise to stay more physically fit as it will help with overall health. Urinalysis is still used as a way of testing as well. Insulin level tests are also taken to compare with blood glucose levels.
