Diabetes has been recognized for nearly 3,000 years, but for much of that time, managing blood sugar was incredibly difficult. In fact, until the discovery of insulin, diabetes was often fatal. Fortunately, medical advancements and scientific discoveries have significantly improved diabetes management, allowing millions to live full and healthy lives.

Discovery of Diabetes

• Ancient Origins: The earliest recorded mention of diabetes symptoms appears in Egyptian manuscripts from 1500 B.C. The texts described excessive urination, a key symptom of diabetes.
• Origin of the Term: In the 2nd Century A.D., physician Aretaeus of Cappadocia coined the term “diabetes”, derived from the Greek word διαβαίνω (diabaino), meaning “to pass through”, referring to frequent urination.
• Sweet Connection: Ancient Indian physicians in 600 B.C. called diabetes “Madhumeha”, meaning “honey urine,” as they noticed ants were attracted to the urine of people with diabetes.

Early Treatments

• Greek and Roman Methods: Physicians experimented with various treatments, including:
  • Easily digestible foods like mutton or veal.
  • Tobacco, believed to regulate sugar levels.
  • Milk and rice diets, considered “non-irritating.”
  • Carb-free diets, which resembled modern low-carb approaches.
  • Opium and herbal remedies, including wormseed, lupin, and fenugreek powders.
  • Fasting, a precursor to intermittent fasting strategies used today.
• A Radical Dietary Approach: A physician once recommended a diet of 3% carbohydrates, 32% protein, and 65% fat, while advising against eating garden produce and fruits.

Insulin and Insulin Resistance

• Early Research: In the late 1800s, researchers identified a connection between the pancreas and diabetes. In 1909, Belgian scientist Jean De Meyer hypothesized a pancreatic hormone called “insuline.”
• Discovery of Insulin: In 1916, British physiologist Edward Sharpey-Schafer officially introduced the term insulin, identifying it as the missing factor in people with diabetes.
• First Insulin Treatment: In 1922, Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old boy with type 1 diabetes, became the first patient to receive insulin injections—a breakthrough that transformed diabetes care.
• Understanding Type 1 and Type 2: In 1936, Sir Harold Percival Himsworth published research differentiating type 1 diabetes (insulin deficiency) from type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance).

Modern Discoveries

• First Synthetic Insulin: In 1978, scientists developed Humulin, the first human-based insulin, identical to the insulin produced by the pancreas.
• Home Glucose Monitoring: The first at-home glucose monitors became available in the 1980s, allowing individuals to track their blood sugar more accurately.
• Introduction of Insulin Pens: In 1986, insulin pens made injections safer, more accurate, and convenient.
• Insulin Pumps Revolutionize Care: In the 1990s, the invention of external insulin pumps offered better glucose control and flexibility in diabetes management.
• Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM): The early 2000s saw the development of CGMs, providing real-time glucose readings and reducing the need for finger pricks.

The Future of Diabetes Management

While there is still no cure for diabetes, ongoing research into artificial pancreases, closed-loop insulin delivery systems, and regenerative medicine continues to bring hope for even more effective diabetes management in the future.

Sources:

1. Defeat Diabetes Foundation. Diabetes History Timeline. Read more
2. Tattersall RB. The History of Diabetes Mellitus. PMC, 2013. Read more
3. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care Journal. 2017. Read more
4. Diabetes.org. The History of Insulin. Read more
5. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Research Timeline. Read more
6. Medical News Today. The History of Diabetes Treatment. Read more