What Is Diabetology?

Diabetology is a type of medical research and practice that has to do with the condition known as diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes. Practitioners and researchers in this field are concerned with the study, treatment and possible prevention of the development of different types or classes of diabetes. In many instances, diabetology is pursued by a professional who is trained as an endocrinologist and is capable of identifying risk factors for the condition, as well as diagnosing the development of diabetes and implementing a treatment regimen that helps to keep the disease under control.

The field of diabetology involves both study and treatment components. Researchers seek to learn about the development of the condition, both as a health issue that is apparent from or near birth all the way through to what is known as adult onset diabetes. These conditions, known as types 1 and 2 diabetes, impact an increasing number of people around the world. Understanding more about how the condition develops helps to lead to more efficient medication and other approaches that help patients control blood glucose levels and enjoy a generally better standard of health.

As part of the diabetology research, developing and testing new drugs to control diabetes is a crucial element of the work done in this field. Typically, the medications undergo rigorous testing before being introduced into the marketplace, with the impact on various aspects of diabetic reaction such as minimizing the progress of damage to the eyes and the loss of sensation in the legs and arms. The research will also seek to identify risk factors involved with those new medications, such as adverse effects on the function of the nervous system, the heart, liver, and even the respiratory system. In the best of circumstances, diabetology research leads to new medications that more effectively control diabetes while presenting lower levels of risks to patients.

In terms of treatment, diabetology focuses on aiding patients on managing blood glucose levels so the diabetes has a minimized impact on general health. Depending on the current status of the patient, the course of treatment will often include more efficient management of carbohydrate intake using meal planning, the use of nutrients that help to provide nourishment for the body in general, and the use of oral and other medications to help regulate glucose levels throughout the day. The structure treatment will take into account the type of diabetes involved and what must be done in order to maintain a safe level of blood sugar in the bloodstream. Doing so helps to avoid situations in which a high concentration of glucose is in the blood, ultimately damaging vital organs. At the same time, advances in diabetology have also made it easier to avoid episodes in which blood sugar decreases to dangerous levels, rendering the patient unresponsive and in danger of going into a diabetic coma.