Diabetes: Breakthrough in inhaled insulin could help manage the disease
People suffering from diabetes may soon be able to control the condition by using an inhaler instead of an injection, according to new findings. Scientists suggest the insulin inhaler could help more people manage the disease as well as reduce the risk of amputation, heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
Researchers believe inhaled insulin could soon become a reality, with the first licensed inhaler likely to become available for general use by the end of the year. This would come as a great relief to the 700,000 people in the UK who currently need daily injections to stay alive.
Teams in Birmingham, London and Miami are among those who took part in the trials, which examined inhaled insulin use in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The results of the trials were presented at the Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference, which took place at the end of April.
Speaking at the conference, Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: "Since insulin was discovered in the 1920s, injections have been the only option. Many attempts have been made to find alternative treatments and, at last, we appear to be close to success. While it will not be suitable for everyone, this could make a real difference to the daily lives of many people with diabetes."
The news comes after it was reported in April that a 61-year old man had become the first person in the UK to be cured of type 1 diabetes following a pancreatic islet cell transplant procedure. This has been hailed as a revolutionary success for diabetics around the world.
However, while the insulin inhaler may not be seen as an equally important milestone, it is still likely to benefit far more people in the next 10 years.
