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New Device Means Diabetics No Longer Have To Test Their Blood Every Day

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Reporter at HuffPost UK

Diabetic patients could have their daily routine revolutionised with a painless breath test to replace taking blood.

The test has been devised by a team of scientists at Cambridge University, and could mean that the 400,000 people like with Type 1 diabetes in the UK no longer have to prick their finger and draw blood. 

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Peter Byrne/PA Wire

The NHS says that 10% of diabetes sufferers in the UK are Type 1, meaning that the patient's pancreas doesn't produce insulin - the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. 

Due to the low insulin levels, Type 1 Diabetics need to take daily blood sugar levels to monitor their condition, or risk falling into a hyperglycemic (sugar levels too high) or hypoglycemic (sugar levels are too low) state. 

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Scientists have been working to learn more about Isoprene, the chemical that dogs detect when owners are about to suffer a hypoglycemic attack.

During experiments the team managed to isolate the Isoprene chemical and therefore are now theoretically able to screen human breath using a special tool.

Doctor Mark Evans, Consultant at Addenbrooke’s hospital, University of Cambridge said: “Isoprene is one of the commonest natural chemicals that we find in human breath, but we know surprisingly little about where it comes from." 

Humans aren’t sensitive to the presence of Isoprene in the same way as dogs but scientists suspect that Isoprene is a by-product of the production of cholesterol.

Although Doctor Evans adds that it isn’t clear why the chemical levels rise when patients get low blood sugar levels.

Diabetes is a growing problem worldwide, alongside the obesity epidemic. The NHS reports that in 2011, around 366 million people have diabetes, and this is expected to grow to 552 million by 2030.

H/T: The Telegraph

Diabetes Facts
What Is Type 1 Diabetes?(01 of15)
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Commonly referred to as Juvenile Diabetes, because it’s often diagnosed in childhood. However, it can also be diagnosed in adults. Type 1 diabetics have a pancreas that produces little or no insulin, which requires insulin management through medication that is usually injected. (credit:Ron Levine via Getty Images)
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?(02 of15)
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Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that almost always develops in adulthood — which is why it’s sometimes referred to as adult-onset diabetes. "About 90 per cent of diabetics are Type 2, meaning that their ability to produce adequate levels of insulin is highly compromised and they have significant levels of insulin resistance,” says Dr. Barry Sears, president of the Inflammation Research Foundation. "The combination leads to significant increases in a variety of additional disorders — in particular heart disease and Alzheimer’s — in addition to the standard problems of loss of vision, increased amputation, and kidney failure." (credit:Thinkstock via Getty Images)
What Is Insulin?(03 of15)
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Insulin is a hormone. It’s produced by the islet cells of the pancreas, and its role is to regulate glucose levels in the blood. The pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream, where it works to allow sugar to enter the cells and lowers the level of sugar in your bloodstream. As blood sugar drops, the secretion of insulin from the pancreas does too.While both types of diabetes involve insulin and the functioning of the pancreas, there are key differences in their causes and treatments. (credit:Leland Bobbe via Getty Images)
Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes(04 of15)
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Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include the emergence of bedwetting in children, frequent thirst, frequent urination, unintended weight loss, extreme hunger, blurred vision, and fatigue. (credit:Westend61 via Getty Images)
Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes(05 of15)
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With type 2 diabetes, the condition can exist for years before diagnosis. But many of the symptoms are the same as with type 1: blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, excess thirst and urination, fatigue. Also watch for sores or infections that are slow to heal, as type 2 diabetes can affect your ability to heal and fight infection. As well, areas of darkened skin (acanthosis nigrican) in creased areas like the armpits and neck are a sign of insulin resistance. (credit:Justin Case via Getty Images)
Risk Factors For Type 1 Diabetes:(06 of15)
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A variety of factors may contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic, including possible genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Risk factors for the disease include family history and young age, with peaks in outset occurring between ages 4 and 7 and ages 10 and 14. (credit:Blasius Erlinger via Getty Images)
Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes:(07 of15)
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With type 2 diabetes, the risk factors include having excess fatty tissue, carrying fat around the abdomen, having a family history of diabetes, being inactive, having polycystic ovary syndrome, and getting older. As well, people of black, Asian, Hispanic, and Aboriginal backgrounds are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, though it’s not known why. (credit:Tomasz Caderek via Getty Images)
Where You Live Might Play A Role(08 of15)
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Interestingly, the incidence of type 1 diabetes increases as you travel away from the equator, according to the Mayo Clinic, leading some researchers to think it could develop more readily in winter than summer. The highest incidences of type 1 diabetes are found in Finland and Sardinia, for example, where rates are about double or triple those in the U.S. and 400 times those in Venezuela. (credit:Mina De La O via Getty Images)
Causes of Diabetes(09 of15)
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It’s unknown exactly what causes type 1 diabetes, but in those with the condition, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. In type 2 diabetes, the islet cells are still functioning as they should, to release insulin — the problem instead is that the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, the body becomes resistant to the insulin, or both. But while we know about some contributing factors, it’s also not known exactly what causes type 2 diabetes. (credit:goa_novi via Getty Images)
Side Effects(10 of15)
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Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can both have serious effects on your health if not managed. Diabetes can affect your eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys, though keeping your blood sugar levels well managed does a lot to mitigate these effects. Nerve damage can manifest in loss of feeling or pain, usually beginning in the feet or hands. It could cause gastrointestinal problems or erectile dysfunction. Damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys can lead to kidney failure or kidney disease. Eye problems are also seen in some diabetics, and problems in pregnancy are also a risk. (credit:Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)
How Magnesium Can Help(11 of15)
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Prevention of type 2 diabetes can be done in part through dietary choices, and making sure you get enough magnesium may be one of them. "Magnesium plays a pivotal role in the secretion and function of insulin,” Dean says. “Without it, Type 2 diabetes is inevitable.” Measurable magnesium deficiencies is common with the condition, she says, and related to many of the related complications. (credit:Steve Wisbauer via Getty Images)
Why You Need To Relax(12 of15)
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Managing stress and anxiety can also help to keep your overall health steady, including possibly staving off type 2 diabetes. "The connection between stress, obesity and diabetes cannot be overlooked,” Dean says. "The stress chemical cortisol signals a metabolic shutdown that makes losing weight almost impossible. Magnesium can neutralize the effects of stress and is known as the anti-stress mineral.” And of course, if you do have diabetes, it’s easier to manage your condition if you aren’t overwhelmed. (credit:DragonImages via Getty Images)
Treatment(13 of15)
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There is no cure for type 1 diabetes, though the disease is manageable and treatment has advanced considerably in recent decades. Those with type 1 diabetes must take insulin for the duration of their lives; the physician works with the patient to find the best insulin and dose for blood sugar maintenance. Other medications may be required for related conditions. Not all type 2 diabetics require insulin therapy, but some do. For both types, regular exercise and a healthy diet, along with weight control, can also help keep glucose levels consistent. (credit:Creatas Images via Getty Images)
Surgery Is An Option(14 of15)
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For some type 2 diabetics, bariatric surgery may be an option to lose weight and control the disease. However, the surgery does involve serious risks that should be discussed with your physician. (credit:Melissa Brandes via Getty Images)
When To Talk To A Doctor(15 of15)
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If you suspect you or a family member has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. It may be helpful to keep track of your symptoms leading up to the appointment, and go in with a list of your medications and general information about your diet and exercise routines. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)

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