Diabetes Induced Blindness: AI Detection Shows Clinical Promise

Diabetes induced blindness: AI detection shows clinical promise

Diabetes induced blindness: AI detection shows clinical promise
The researchers confirmed that the sensitivity and specificity of the screening tool is over 90%
An artificial intelligence (AI)-based diagnostic tool developed by Google and researchers in India, for detecting diabetic retinopathy (DR), is showing clinical promise in the Indian setting, according to Rajiv Raman, a senior consultant at Chennais Sankara Nethralaya, one of the countrys leading eye hospitals.
Both Sankara Nethralaya and Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai are working with 2,000 patients each to validate the AI diagnostic tool in a clinical setting. Dr Raman confirmed that the sensitivity and specificity of the screening are over 90%. The higher a tests sensitivity, the higher the probability it will correctly identify a disease when it is present and the higher the tests specificity, the higher the chance it will correctly identify the absence of the disease in individuals who do not have it.
Aravind Eye Hospital is now in the process of incorporating the deep learning system in their telescreening program, Dr R. Kim, Chief Medical Officer of the hospital told The Hindu.
AI has been the buzzword in tech for some time now, and tech giants want poll position in this space. We are moving from a mobile-first world to an AI-first world, according to Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, and Google, for one, seems to want to be the go to company for AI, as it has become in the search engine market.
Advances in the consumer space have found utility in medicine that can be applied readily, Lily Peng, a doctor of Continue reading

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Genetic mutation helps Amish families fight aging, diabetes and even baldness

Genetic mutation helps Amish families fight aging, diabetes and even baldness
Scientists have discovered a genetic mutation in an Amish community that lets them live longer and protects them from diabetes and other age-related illnesses(Credit: LeeSnider/Depositphotos )
Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered a genetic mutation in an isolated Amish population that helps them live longer and healthier lives, and protects them from diabetes and other age-related illnesses. A drug that mimics those effects is currently being trialled in humans, and shows promise in slowing aging, preventing diabetes and may even counteract baldness.
The mutation was discovered in an Amish extended family (or "kindred") living in Berne, Indiana, part of a community that has largely remained genetically isolated for over a century. Carriers were found to live on average 10 percent longer (about 14 years) than those without, be significantly less likely to develop diabetes and have much healthier vascular systems into old age. Their telomeres protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten with age were 10 percent longer than average, and they had much lower fasting insulin levels.
"The findings astonished us because of the consistency of the anti-aging benefits across multiple body systems," says Douglas Vaughan, lead author of a paper describing the find. "For the first time we are seeing a molecular marker of aging (telomere length), a metabolic marker of aging (fasting insulin levels) and a cardiovascular marker of aging (blood pressure and blood vessel stiffness Continue reading

Ten Things I Hate About Diabetes

It’s fall — the days are getting shorter, the air is getting colder, and diabetes is getting on my last nerves. This seems to happen every year. I know I’ve written similar blog entries several times, and I think it tends to happen right around this time every year. So call it the annual emotional cleansing, the annual therapeutic yell into the pillow — it’s time to tell diabetes what I think of it. And while dressing it up as some therapeutic process might be a stretch, it’s not completely absurd, either; it is very important that we give ourselves the space to just be angry every once in a while. I can say that — I’m a former therapist. Let’s start the countdown!
In the grand scheme of things, shots for us Diabetians aren’t bad. The needles are tiny, and a mosquito bite hurts more. Nevertheless, I calculated it the other day, and figured I’ve given myself close to 40,000 shots. 40,000!!! Even if I don’t particularly mind them anymore, it makes the list due to sheer size!
Related to shots, scar tissue is number nine on my list. Scar tissue is what develops when you repeatedly stab your own body over and over, say, 40,000 times, for example! Scar tissue messes with absorption, and it can turn a seemingly simple meal into a drawn-out ordeal of hunger and high numbers as you wait, and wait, and wait, and then wait some more, for that insulin to FINALLY make its way to your system and affect blood glucose!
I wrote a whole blog entry about this a few weeks ago — diabetes has a unique psychological toll that nobody without diabetes can really 100% Continue reading

For Native Americans, fighting diabetes means fighting the federal government for their fair share of health care funds

Theresa Halsey, a member of the Hunkpapa Lakota tribe and producer of the Indian Voices radio show on KGNU, has been dealing with diabetes for a couple of decades. In 2000, she decided to visit Denver Indian Health and Family Services to get tested. That’s where her journey with the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) began.
Through SDPI, Halsey attends classes for diabetes management. She learns how to navigate the produce section of the grocery store and how to cook vegetables. She sees what healthy portion sizes look like, and she gets to participate in monthly challenges that promote healthy living. For November, she’s vowed to drink water every day — no sugary drinks allowed.
Halsey insists SDPI has helped her adopt healthier habits in her and her children’s lives. Yet, as much of an impact as this program might have in bettering her health, the federal government has been less than enthusiastic when it comes to acknowledging its significance.
In October, Congress renewed funds for SDPI, but only until Dec. 31. Despite the program’s success, renewal periods only last months at a time between Congressional debates regarding its funding. While the current state of government support looks bleak, researchers at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus and members of the SDPI community are committed to making sure the Native voice isn’t lost.
“People need to be lobbying their states because that’s where the actual money will be coming down from; not that much money is coming from the [federal] government,” Halsey says.
According to t Continue reading

10 Superfoods To Eat Daily If You Have Diabetes

10 Superfoods To Eat Daily If You Have Diabetes
These 10 healthy foods can help you manage diabetes if you eat them daily!
One scene from that movie with Melissa McCarthy and Susan Sarandon I actually remember is:
Melissa McCarthywhen she cant find her grandma:
- But my grandma, she has diabetes, Im worried
Everyone has diabetes, sweetheart (some nice people from the movie).
Like you are there, right? Such a great description.
Okay, I so dont remember the scene very well, file some charges against me.
The point is: diabetes is everywhere. It even made it in movies.
As someone whose dad and aunt have had diabetes for years, as a biochemist and an annoying person whos very often talking about healthy living, I thought Id know more about this chronic disease.
Well, I researched diabetes some more recently after a private freakout and now I do.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that progresses, true, mostly slowly but surely. If not taken care of. Its characterized by a disturbed carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism and water and electrolyte balance.( 1 )
Now, before I make an attempt to explain what diabetes is, its important to know the basics first.
Our bodies break down food into nutrients and we use those nutrients for different things to build body cells and molecules, but also for energy.
Our cells use carbohydrates or sugar for energy (and also fats). Note, Im saying the cells, not just the body. Because if the sugar you eat remains in the blood plasma without getting into your body cells, it cannot be used as energy.
And thats the thing with Continue reading