Adult Services, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Pediatric Services, Research

Advancing diabetes research: Norton Healthcare becomes one of 10 organizations to join national islet cell network

Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s are now contributing vital resources to diabetes research efforts nationwide. As a new member of the Integrated Islet Distribution Program (IIDP), the Norton Islet Cell Research and Transplant Program, housed within Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, supplied its first round of human pancreatic islet cells to researchers across the country, including…

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Adult Services, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Pediatric Services, Research

Meet Dr. Bala, world-renowned diabetes researcher now at Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s

A world-renowned diabetes researcher has joined Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s, with the goal of curing Type 1 diabetes. Balamurugan N. Appakalai, Ph.D., also known as Dr. Bala, is a leading researcher in islet cell transplants and is widely considered one of the most skilled islet isolation specialists…

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Diabetes, Endocrinology, Pediatric Services

Diagnosing and managing pediatric diabetes

Primary care providers and pediatricians play an invaluable role in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and timely interventions. “Diagnosing diabetes mellitus often starts with pediatricians or other primary care providers when parents bring in their child for unexplained weight loss, frequent urination and excessive fluid consumption,” said Brad Thrasher, D.O., MBA, pediatric endocrinologist with Wendy…

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Adult Services, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Pediatric Services

Staying at the forefront of insulin administration capabilities and glucose monitoring

Insulin administration has advanced well beyond the “old school” delivery with a vial and syringe. Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus cared for at Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Children’s Endocrinology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, are often prescribed a prefilled insulin pen with a choice of dosing…

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Adult Services, Diabetes, Spine

Putting patients on the fast track to better blood sugar control before surgery

Studies have shown patients with diabetes who have poorly controlled blood sugar are more likely to have more adverse outcomes after elective surgery. At the same time, patients do not want to wait for spine surgery. Waiting means prolonging their pain, disability and immobility — and results in significant patient dissatisfaction. To improve surgical outcomes…

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Adult Services, Diabetes, Pediatric Services, Research

Tzield may delay Stage 3 Type 1 diabetes in adults and children

Recently approved Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv), is delivering breakthrough results that suggest it may delay the onset of Stage 3 Type 1 diabetes by an average of two years. The first-in-class drug is approved for adults and children ages 8 and older with Stage 2 Type 1 diabetes. “Delaying the onset of Stage 3 not only postpones…

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Diabetes, Pediatric Services, Research

Ultra-fast-acting inhaled insulin, Afrezza, trialed at Norton Children’s Endocrinology

Afrezza inhaled insulin, currently approved for adults, is being tested for children in a clinical trial at Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Children’s Endocrinology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. Norton Children’s is one of 40 sites nationally participating in the Phase 3 trial. Afrezza is an ultra-fast-acting inhaled mealtime insulin,…

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Adult Services, Diabetes, Obstetrics

Gestational diabetes diagnosis criteria and management

When considering gestational diabetes diagnosis criteria, carbohydrate intolerance with onset or recognition during pregnancy after 20 weeks is foremost. Gestational diabetes accounts for about 6 in 7 cases of diabetes in pregnancy. Risk factors are similar to nongestational diabetes: obesity, advanced maternal age, hypertension, family history of diabetes, nonwhite ethnicity and prior macrosomic infant. Diagnosing…

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