There is no cure for diabetes, but researchers here in San Antonio are working to change that through medical studies.
"I've been learning a lot, and the best thing about it is I'm not diabetic," said 50-year-old Hugo Rodriguez, who has been taking part in the Texas Diabetes Institute's pre-diabetes study for nearly two years. When he started, he was pre-diabetic. Today, he is no longer diabetic, partially due to a change in diet.
"At first it was a little bit hard. I wanted to eat everything heavy. I was hungry, and I was trying to search for something to fill my hunger. After a while, it's just like I don't need it anymore," Rodriguez said.
"He's done very well. He takes his medications every day. He's been following up with us regularly every three months," Dr. Alberto Chavez-Velasquez, an endocrinologist with the Texas Diabetes Institute, said.
That medication is Forxiga, a medication approved for Type 2 diabetes. Doctors hope taking the medication early can keep diabetes away. "There is some evidence suggesting that when we use a treatment early, we lower the blood sugar. Before it becomes too high, we may be able to give the pancreas a chance to recover and the ability to make more insulin," said Chavez-Velasquez.
Now that Rodriguez is about to be finished with the study, he knows he has to keep moving in the right direction. "I'm going to keep going with my regular exercise a little bit more," he said.
Rodriguez also said studies like this are great for anyone at risk to develop diabetes. "If they have the opportunity like this to get into a study, it it is worth it," he said.
The Texas Diabetes Institute said it is always looking for volunteers for diabetes-related studies, including this pre-diabetes study. If you think you could qualify, call 210-358-7200 for more information.
For more men's health information call 210-358-3045. You can also find the rest of our Real Men Wear Gowns stories, just go to WearTheGown.com.