September 17, 2009
Pancreas Transplants – A Solution For Type 1 Diabetes Sufferers?
Type 1 diabetes was formerly known as juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes matures quickly and symptoms are very visible.
This type of diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system destroys pancreatic cells. These cells are the insulin producing cells. This type of diabetes affects mostly children and young adults. Risk factors for type1 diabetes include autoimmune, genetics, and environmental factors.
Many clinical studies have shown that an option for type 1 diabetes treatment is the pancreas transplantation. For some patients, surgeons can restore the function of the pancreas with an islet cell transplant.
The most important benefit of pancreas transplantation is freedom from dependence on insulin. Although this is significant, this is not recommended treatment for diabetes unless there is a need for a kidney transplant as well.
On the other hand, pancreas transplants still remains problematic in that the immune system still can attack new pancreas cells. Some people who have transplants do find that the transplanted pancreas is attacked and the insulin-producing cells are killed off after operation.
At this time, pancreas transplants do not always provide permanent cures, and people who have transplants must take anti-rejection medication and immune-system suppressing drugs.
Many research teams are still working on this immune system problem that seems to be the root cause of type 1 diabetes (sometimes called auto-immune diabetes).
This is main reason that pancreas transplants are still only being studied experimentally and are not considered currently to be an automatic cure for all patients with type 1 diabetes.
Valerian, freelance writer specialized in health issues affecting men
www.mens-health-events.info/diabetes.php
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February 1, 2007 at 4:48 pm
[...] • Pancreas transplant. [...]
Kira
November 6, 2009 at 7:16 am
Speaking from a 12-year-old’s perspective, a pancreas transplant is currently not a viable option for the majority of the population. I’ve had diabetes for nine years, and have missed less school in total for diabetes-related things than I would if I had a pancreas transplant.
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October 29, 2008 at 9:58 pm
[...] As mentioned already, whey protein is the best natural source of protein. Protein can become an element lacking in some Diabetic’s diets, as a result of their dietary alterations. Whey protein also lowers levels of blood glucose and this is thought to happen because higher protein levels stimulate Insulin production from the Pancreas. [...]
afef rebai
November 1, 2008 at 4:07 pm
i’m a 23 years old girl and i have the diabetes type1 i need some information about the pancreas transplants how can i contact you please?
i’ m looking forward to receiving your response
thank you
afef rebai
November 5, 2008 at 12:40 pm
no body answer me
(((((
Tom
September 19, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Pancreas transplants are NOT experimental. They have been covered by Medicare for several years. If you are interested in receiving a pancreas transplant, call you local UNOS approved transplant center. The transplant centers approved for pancreas transplantation around the country are available online at http://www.unos.org
Islet transplants have had lesser success, and are inferior to whole organ pancreas transplantation at this time.
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October 7, 2009 at 9:05 am
[...] Pancreas Transplants – A Solution For Type 1 Diabetes Sufferers? (battlediabetes.com) [...]