How the lives of diabetics have changed over the past 100 years
A hundred years ago, a diagnosis of diabetes sounded like a death sentence. Today, millions of people around the world live full lives thanks to advances in medicine. From the discovery of insulin to smart sensors and pumps, over the past century, technology has revolutionized how we treat the disease. Learn about the progress medicine has made and how the lives of diabetics have changed.
Just a hundred years ago, without insulin and modern technology, diabetics could only survive from a few months to two or three years. Today, diabetes is no longer a death sentence. Modern technology has changed the lives of millions of people around the world. Smart sensors, insulin pumps, and personalized diets make it possible to lead full and active lives. And it all began with that risky injection of a strange brown liquid that doctors administered to a dying teenager in 1922.
Diabetes mellitus has been known to humanity since ancient times. It was mentioned by physicians in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, as well as by medieval healers in Europe and the East. The disease was described by such eminent physicians as Celsus, Galen, Aretaeus, Avicenna, Paracelsus, and many others.
The term "diabetes" itself comes from the Greek diabaino, meaning "pass through." It was coined by the ancient Roman physician and philosopher Aretaeus of Cappadocia, who lived in the 1st century AD. Based on his observations of his patients, the ancient physician left us with this horrific description of this disease:
Aretaeus, considered one of the most brilliant medical luminaries of his time, could do nothing to help such patients. However, attempts to cure diabetes or even prolong the lives of patients remained unsuccessful for nearly 2,000 years. Everything changed only when scientists discovered the cause of this disease and identified a solution.
Today, everyone knows that diabetes is an endocrine disorder. It occurs due to a lack of insulin in the body or its reduced effectiveness. This disruption leads to metabolic disorders and affects blood vessels of various sizes. In 1935, Roger Hinsworth identified two main types of diabetes, paving the way for new treatment methods.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body is completely deprived of insulin. It must be replenished daily with injections. This breakthrough was made possible by the discovery of insulin, one of the greatest achievements in medicine and pharmacology. The causes of the disease are not fully understood, so it cannot be prevented.
Type 2 diabetes develops differently: the body produces insulin, but cells absorb it poorly. As a result, blood sugar levels remain elevated for a long time, which eventually leads to complications. This form of diabetes was once typical for older people, but today it is increasingly common among middle-aged adults and even overweight children.
But it all began with the discovery of insulin. November 14th of each year is celebrated as World Diabetes Day. The date was chosen to honor the birthday of renowned Canadian physiologist Frederick Grant Banting (1891–1941). Having experienced the full rigors of World War I and nearly losing an arm to a wound, Banting opened a private medical practice in Toronto in 1920.
At the same time, Banting took a position as assistant to Professor Macleod at the University of Western Ontario's medical school. His childhood friend died painfully of diabetes. This compelled the scientist to address the problem of this incurable disease. Banting recruited his best student, Charles Best, as his assistant.
Scientists spent a year experimenting on dogs until they discovered the role of the pancreas in the development of the disease. In 1921, Banting and Best succeeded in isolating a drug from a damaged pancreas. They administered it to a dog suffering from diabetes after the removal of the organ. The result exceeded expectations: the animal regained consciousness and emerged from a coma, something previously considered impossible and always fatal.
The only thing left to do was test the drug on a patient. Banting and Best injected themselves with insulin to ensure its safety; they had no way to test its effectiveness. In January 1922, such an opportunity arose. In Toronto, a 14-year-old boy, Leonard Thompson, was dying of diabetes. His case seemed hopeless: the teenager weighed only 29 kilograms, and his condition was rapidly deteriorating by the hour.
The parents agreed to the experimental treatment, as their son had already fallen into a coma and was doomed. The boy was given the drug, but the attempt was unsuccessful—the patient developed an allergic reaction to the foreign protein. Then biochemist J.B. Collip came to the rescue and purified the drug. After a second injection, Leonard quickly recovered.
From then on, Thompson received regular insulin injections and soon was living a full life, no different from his healthy peers. He lived another 13 years and died of pneumonia. Banting and Best's second patient was a doctor named Joe Gilchrist. Due to diabetes, he had almost stopped eating and was reduced to a living skeleton. Insulin saved him, and after his recovery, Joe joined Banting's team as one of their assistants.
Another remarkable case involved the rescue of a 10-year-old girl named Geneva, the daughter of American physician Josephine Stickelberger. Her mother recognized the signs of diabetes early and contacted Banting herself. The girl was rushed to Toronto by train in critical condition.
Banting administered the first insulin injection right on the train platform, effectively saving the girl's life. This incident, witnessed by hundreds of people, became the best publicity for the miracle drug. Josephine Stickelberger, deeply grateful to the scientists, actively participated in their work. Her daughter Geneva grew up, became an accountant, and lived a full life until age 72, although without insulin, she would not have lived to even 11.
In 1923, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Banting and Macleod "for the discovery of insulin." Banting was extremely displeased that Best did not receive the award. He was also outraged by the recognition of Macleod's contributions, who had merely provided a laboratory for the research. Banting initially considered refusing the prize, but after listening to advice, he changed his mind. Instead, he publicly donated half of his prize to Best, highlighting his important contribution to the discovery.
Insulin was discovered over 100 years ago, and it remains an indispensable drug for people with diabetes. But progress never stands still. In the century since Banting and Best's discovery, numerous technologies have emerged that significantly improve the quality of life for people with diabetes.
Insulin pump therapy is considered one of the most advanced diabetes treatment methods. It works by using a special device that takes over the functions of the pancreas, continuously delivering the insulin necessary for normal functioning.
Traditional therapy, which involves multiple injections, uses long-acting insulin, which is not fully absorbed by the body—sometimes only 50 percent—causing blood sugar levels to fluctuate wildly, even with the same dose. This makes it difficult to maintain stable glycemic control.
In contrast, short-acting insulin used in insulin pumps is absorbed almost completely, mimicking the function of a healthy pancreas. This helps maintain more stable glucose levels, making diabetes control more precise and effective.
Another important discovery is "smart insulins." These are glucose-sensing medications that can regulate their activity depending on blood sugar levels. This is a major step in the fight against diabetes, making insulin therapy more effective and safe. Unfortunately, current medications require precise dosing, and failure to do so can be life-threatening. With the advent of "smart insulins," currently undergoing clinical trials, this problem will disappear.
Do you think new technologies—pumps, smart sensors, and smart insulin—will completely change the lives of diabetics in the coming years? Share your opinions and experiences: what innovations have already helped you or your loved ones manage their condition?