As more Americans continue to indulge in fatty foods, not only is the obesity level growing, but so is the number of type 2 diabetes patients. Additionally, the controversies among the medical community over treatments with serious side effects continues to grow as well, causing more patients to be resistant to being diagnosed.

However, researchers are continuing to work toward non-pharmaceutical alternatives to the condition. For example, a study from the Glasgow University in England found that individuals who are at an extremely high risk of developing the potentially fatal condition of type 2 diabetes can actually reduce their risk by nearly 22 percent with seven weeks of continued exercise.

The study, led by Dr. Jason Gill on behalf of the British Heart Foundation (BHF), tested 70 women for seven weeks. The women were divided into two groups of those with type 2 diabetic parent(s) and those with no predisposition to type 2 diabetes. Each group was then instructed to partake in physical activity for several days during the week. Researchers reported that those with a predisposition to type 2 diabetes, meaning one or both parents suffer from type 2 diabetes, lowered their risk by close to 25 percent with exercise.

Living With Diabetes

Although millions of Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year, the diagnosis can be shocking and often frightening for a majority of patients. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) describes newly diagnosed diabetic patients as going through several stages of "grief" similar to the grief of losing a loved one. According to the ADA, the following responses from newly diagnosed patients are very common:

* Denial - avoiding the actual truth of the diagnosis and continuing with normal habits that may worsen condition.

* Anger - becoming angry at the disease as well as being angry that the diagnosis occurred, taking it out on family and friends.

* Depression - feelings of hopelessness because of the diagnosis.

* Fear/Anxiety - fear of reacting poorly to medications or developing hypoglycemic reactions.

* Guilt - feeling that the new diagnosis may burden others.

However, because diabetes is becoming so common, the ADA recommends becoming familiar with the condition and speaking to a medical professional who can offer reassurance that the condition is manageable.

Diabetic Treatments Associated with Risks

While much of the medical world continues to make huge strides with developing treatments to fight cancers and other fatal conditions, it seems the diabetic community still suffers from undeveloped treatments, many of which are consistently being investigated for association with dangerous side effects.

An example of this is the injectable drug Byetta, generic name exenatide, which controls blood sugar levels in patients; however, the drug has been linked to fatal side effects related to pancreatitis. Only two years after Byetta was approved did reports begin to surface about the drug's side effects in October 2007, causing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate.

Although the FDA has issued a statement that it will in fact strengthen warnings about the severity of the Byetta risks, it has not issued a recall even though six patients were hospitalized because of Byetta-induced hemorrhagic pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis -- two of whom died.

Legal Consultation for Diabetic Drug Dangers

Patients who currently suffer from type 2 diabetes and who have been taking Byetta are encouraged to contact a medical professional immediately if they experience any of the following side effects:

* hives

* difficulty breathing

* swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat

* pain in the upper stomach

* pain in the back

* nausea/vomiting

* increased heart rate

Individuals may also be advised to consult a pharmaceutical attorney who can provide information on developing a Byetta lawsuit. Because the Byetta side effects can become fatal quickly, it is important to understand that legal action can be taken in which monetary compensation is often awarded to a victim.

Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley