Medical science is working on finding new ways to treat diabetics. Treating diabetes without needles is one important challenge.
The Problem
Using needles can be among the most unpleasant aspects of diabetes. After all, some people have a deep fear of needles. Others simply get tired of using them every day.
But there are practical considerations as well. Not everyone can use needles due to mobility issues. It is also particularly challenging to use them in old age.
So treating diabetes without needles could be a big help to a large number of people.
The Potential Solution
Why can’t you simply take insulin in pill form? Experts say that the human body would digest the insulin before it entered the bloodstream.
The best way to solve this issue is to find a better way to deliver insulin to the bloodstream. Doctors are currently working on a way to protect insulin from getting digested too early. A protective coating could be the key to achieving this.
In the past, polymers seemed like the best coating option. But new research suggests that fat cells could be the answer instead. After fat cells form a protective layer around the insulin, they can take it to where it needs to be.
The fat cells that the scientists used match the cells that naturally occur in the body. Furthermore, these cells could be useful in other types of medical treatments as well.
A Final Word
Treating diabetes without needles is a significant and exciting research topic. The solution might come in the form of a pill that won’t dissolve too early. But other options are possible too, such as inhalation.
