Type 2 Diabetes: Can It Be Cured?
There are many ways to reduce symptoms of type 2 diabetes, though it is often debated whether there is one single cure. Discover more in this article.
Type 2 diabetes is a serious, long-term condition that largely develops in adults. With an increasing obesity rate, it is also becoming much more common in children as well.
Several lifestyle factors contribute to the development of the disease; with weight being one of the leading issues. In addition, the many symptoms associated with the disease could make life a little complicated.
Because of this, type 2 has the potential to be life-threatening. However, through careful treatment, it is possible to reduce the overall symptoms of the condition.
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin. When your blood sugar rises then the pancreas releases insulin which causes sugar to move from the blood into your cells. This is then used as a source of energy. If your glucose levels decrease, your pancreas will cease releasing insulin.
In summary, type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells in the body don’t have the correct response to insulin.
How Is Type 2 Different From Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 shares similarities with type 2, yet it tends to develop during childhood and has barely anything to do with diet or weight. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is completely unknown, and the most prominent risk factors include family history and genetics.
Individuals with type 1 diabetes have a pancreas that makes very little insulin (or none at all.) If this is the case, the individual will need to inject insulin to metabolize the glucose in the body.
For those with type 1 diabetes, there isn’t a cure. This means it cannot be reversed, but it can be managed!
Who Is Most Likely To Have Type 2 Diabetes?
This is more likely to occur in certain individuals than in others. For example, people that are over the age of 40, have a history of diabetes, or are overweight or obese have a much larger chance of developing the condition than others. Particular racial and ethnic groups may also be at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Over the past decade, the number of adolescents and young adults being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has been greatly increasing.
Can It Be Cured?
Clinical trials like those offered by WithPower have yet to provide one specific cure for type 2 diabetes. However, thanks to extensive research and clinical trials, there is such a thing as a “reversal” for this condition.
This means that through lifestyle changes and weight loss, it is possible to reach and maintain normal blood sugar levels without the need for medication.
Depending on the patient and the medical history, in serious cases of obesity that have led to type 2 diabetes, doctors may prescribe bariatric surgery in the form on a Newcastle gastric sleeve. This weight loss surgery aids healthy weight loss, but it is not always needed. Weight loss and lifestyle changes will then work to reverse the main symptoms.
However, this doesn’t mean you are “cured” of the condition. It is an ongoing disease which means there’s always a chance for symptoms to return at any point.
How To Treat Type 2 Diabetes
There are two main ways of treating type 2 diabetes, which are:
- Using insulin or medication when needed
- Monitoring blood sugar levels
Your chances of developing type 2 diabetes depend on a mix of your lifestyle and genes. Though you can’t change family history, ethnicity, or age, you can make alterations to your lifestyle including your eating habits and physical activity, which may also work to lower your weight and reduce the risk of developing the condition.
However, there are more normal ways to reduce the number of symptoms that you have. Exercising and dietary changes might be all you need! You can begin by doing the following:
Making Time For Exercise
Increasing the amount of physical activity that you do is a great way to reverse symptoms. If you aren’t used to exercising then you can start small and gradually increase the intensity and duration. This will also be a good way to lose excess weight.
Make sure to keep a snack on hand to keep your blood sugar up as you exercise.
A Well-Balanced Diet
This should be implemented as soon as an official diagnosis of type 2 diabetes has been issued. Eating a nutrient-dense diet as often as possible will help to manage all symptoms. This should include:
- Healthy fats
- Reduces calories
- Lots of fruit and vegetables
- Lean proteins
- Small amounts of alcohol
- Whole grains
Summary
Like type 1 diabetes, there is no specific cure for type 2 diabetes. However, there are particular lifestyle factors that you can reverse to limit or reduce the number of symptoms and issues that you struggle with.
