Diabetes is the second highest cause of death in Mexico and around 50% of people with the condition don\u2019t even know they have it. That\u2019s why it\u2019s considered a silent disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Owing to its complications, it\u2019s a costly condition too. In fact, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) estimates that 17 billion dollars per year is spent on diabetes in Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s more, the conventional methods currently used to detect diabetes are intrusive. As blood needs to be extracted to take samples, this means patients having to do so on an empty stomach and waiting for a couple of hours in a doctor\u2019s office. Detection periods are also very short or very long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Mirna Gonz\u00e1lez<\/strong><\/a>, a researcher from Tec de Monterrey\u2019s Institute for Obesity Research<\/a>, glucose tests can be manipulated because patients tend to eat healthily in the days before them \u2212very differently to the way they normally do\u2212 which gives different results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs current methods are invasive and require fasting, we don\u2019t have a method that enables us to do interim monitoring<\/strong>. So, we\u2019re proposing novel methods<\/strong>,\u201d says Gonz\u00e1lez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n