Diabetes control via brain surgery?

Recently a group of surgeons from Pittsburg indicated that type 2 diabetes could be controlled by some type of brain surgery. Surgeons at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh conducted a small study of 10 patients with progressive type 2 diabetes. The surgeons compressed a part of the brain known as the medulla oblongata. It is believed that this part of the brain has some control over the pancreas. The patients were not permitted to make any alterations in their weight, diet, exercise for about 12 months after undergoing this brain surgery. This same type of procedure is often used to treat certain nerve compression symptoms.

Dr. Peter Jannetta, the neurosurgeon in charge of the study, reasons that decompression of the nerve in the medulla oblongata, which controls the pancreas, could ease function of type 2 diabetes.
 
The pancreas is the organ which makes the hormone insulin that burns the blood glucose. In type 2 diabetes, patients either can’t release the insulin from the pancreas, do not make enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin.

In Dr Jannetta’s study, 7/10 patients had better blood glucose control after surgery. These patients were able to decrease their anti diabetic medication dose and one patient was able to come of his anti diabetic medication completely.
Current estimates indicate that close to 24 million people live with diabetes in the USA alone and that the numbers are increasing each year. If type 2 diabetes is left untreated, it can lead to blindness, kidney failure, stroke and heart attack.

So what does this mean for the diabetic patient?

Put it mildly- do not believe all the BULL you read. This is an insane study. Just causing the pancreas to release more insulin is not the answer to treating type 2 diabetes. In the majority of type 2 diabetics, there is insulin in the body, it just does not work because of resistance. In addition, this study had only 10 patients and the study was not even randomized. 

Secondly, brain surgery is not very safe and complications can be devastating. You may lower your diabetic medications but the surgery may paralyze you, cause blindness and hearing loss and even your speech may become garbled- and these are permanent complications. For consumers who have common sense, avoid such cockamanny nonsensical procedures to treat type 2 diabetes. 

If you have type 2 diabetes, walk more, eat less sugar and do not smoke. Pharmaceutical drugs we have may not be the ideal answer, but they are a lot safer than some crazy brain surgery!

When should I check my blood sugar levels?

Most people who have just been diagnosed with diabetes need to check the blood sugars at least 4-6 times a day.

Once the diagnosis of diabetes has been established, the measurement of blood sugars does depend on the type of diabetes and treatment.

Individuals who have type 1 diabetes often need to measure blood sugar levels anywhere from 3-6 times a day, at least before and after each meal.

Individuals with diabetes who exercise also need to monitor their sugars before and after exercise and just before going to sleep.

Individuals with type 1 diabetes who are ill or have a change in their routine (like traveling), stress or have been diagnosed with other medical disorder may need more frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels.

Individuals with Type 2 diabetes generally require less frequent glucose monitoring. Most of these individuals initially monitor the blood glucose 1-2 times day if they are on any type of diabetic medications. Individual who are managing their type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise alone need to monitor their sugars less often.

I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Is there any reason why I cannot eat honey?

Sure, you can eat Honey. There is no hard and fast rule why you cannot eat honey. Diabetics can eat anything they want, as long as it is in moderation. The bottom line is that you do should not eat too much sugar. Eat just enough honey that fulfils your daily calorie requirements. Perhaps one teaspoon with your coffee or tea. Make it a habit of monitoring your blood sugar afterwards. If your sugar stays high, then cut down the honey to half a teaspoon.

There are many reports on the medical benefits of honey, but rest assured, too much honey is not good.

 

Honey contains fructose, which can significantly raise your blood sugar levels. Almost all syrups and foods containing fructose can immediately raise blood sugars and should be consumed in limited amount by all people.

A tablespoon of honey roughly contains about 70 calories and contains 8 grs of fructose.  

Remember too much of any one particular food is not a good thing.