Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Cured or Reversed? Let’s Find Out!
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic lifestyle disease that cannot be cured.
However, the good news is that with lifestyle management this condition can be controlled well and you can live a normal life.
Read on to learn more about diabetes management.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic lifestyle disease that affects your body’s ability to control your blood sugar levels. It is commonly seen in older adults. However, with the changing lifestyles and an increase in childhood obesity, Type 2 diabetes is nowadays increasing in the younger population.
Leading an inactive lifestyle and being overweight are the two culprits that contribute to Type 2 diabetes. It can cause life-threatening complications if left untreated.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin that converts glucose, a type of sugar from the food you eat into energy. The hormone circulates in the blood facilitating the entry of glucose into your cells where it gets converted. In the case of Type 2 diabetes, your cells become resistant to insulin and this prevents the entry of glucose into the cells. This increases blood sugar levels.
This stimulates the beta cells of your pancreas to release more insulin. Eventually, the cells get impaired and become unable to meet the increased demand.
Certain factors such as your body weight, activity levels, and family history increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes develops over years. The symptoms may be mild in the beginning. Hence they are easy to dismiss. Some of the common symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Constant hunger (polyphagia)
- Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- Frequent urination (polyuria)
- Unintended weight Loss
- Changes in vision
- Frequent infections
Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Cured?
Type 2 diabetes can be managed effectively with lifestyle changes like healthy eating and regular exercise. While it’s possible to control blood sugar levels and even reduce medication needs, complete cure is rare. Consistent healthy habits can significantly improve quality of life and reduce diabetes-related complications.
Is Type 2 Diabetes Reversible?
Type 2 diabetes can be managed well with proper lifestyle modifications. Therefore, you cannot call it a diabetes reversal as it may sound like a permanent adieu to the condition. With proper management, it is possible to put Type 2 diabetes into remission. This is a stage where you may not need to take medications or very minimal medications to control your diabetes.
What is Remission In Diabetes?
Remission refers to a period where the signs and symptoms of a condition disappear. When you talk about remission in diabetes it refers to a decrease of your blood sugar to a normal level where you do not require medications. However, there is always a chance of a rise in your blood sugar levels. Therefore, you should constantly monitor your blood sugar.
How to Put Diabetes into Remission?
The most effective way to control or put Type 2 diabetes into remission is to lose weight. If you are overweight and have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the condition can go into remission if you lose a substantial amount of weight. What is important to understand is that not everyone with diabetes who loses weight will be able to put their diabetes into remission. However, losing a considerable amount of weight while managing diabetes can lead to:
- Decrease in your medications
- Healthy blood sugar levels
- Lower risk of developing complications
Why is it About Losing Weight?
Losing a considerable amount of weight will help lower the amount of fat in your liver and pancreas. This helps improve the functioning of the beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. Thus it helps you maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
How to Lose Weight in a Healthy Way?
Increase Your Activity
- If you are not used to exercising, you can start slow with a short brisk walk and then can slowly increase the duration and intensity.
- Gradually you can include more exercise in your workout routines such as jogging, biking, yoga, or pilates.
- Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercises each day for 5 days a week.
- Choose a diet and workout plan that is easy to follow and can provide sustainable weight loss. Avoid rapid weight loss plans as they can often backfire and also cause unwanted side effects.
- Check your blood sugar levels before and after your workout sessions. You can also keep a snack handy in case your blood sugar levels drop during exercise.
Change Your Diet
- Choose nutritious food that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and low-fat dairy in your diet.
- Add foods that are high in fiber to your daily diet. These include fruits like apples, oranges, and bananas, vegetables such as broccoli, carrot, and green peas. You can also include food high in whole grains such as oats, brown rice, and whole-wheat bread in your diet.
- Select foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, and sugar. These will help you cut down your calories.
- Have plenty of fluids. Choose plain water over sugary and aerated beverages to reduce your calorie intake.
- Make sure to have small portions multiple times a day. This helps improve your metabolism and also keeps your blood sugars under control.
Is it Possible to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?
It is possible to prevent Type 2 diabetes even if you are at a higher risk of developing the condition. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by:
- Managing your weight
- Eating healthy
- Staying active
- Monitoring your blood sugar levels periodically
Don’t Have Time To Read?
- Type 2 diabetes is a chronic lifestyle condition that affects your body’s ability to control your blood sugar levels. It is commonly seen in older adults.
- It makes your cells resistant to the hormone insulin, which helps regulate your blood sugar levels.
- Certain factors such as your body weight, activity levels, and family history increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
- The common symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are fatigue, constant hunger, increased thirst, and unintentional weight loss.
- Type 2 diabetes is a progressive lifestyle disease that cannot be completely cured. However, the good news is that it can be managed well with proper lifestyle modifications.
- With proper management, it is possible to put Type 2 diabetes into remission. This is a stage where you may not need to take medications or very minimal medications to control your diabetes.
- The most effective way to control or put Type 2 diabetes into remission is to lose a considerable amount of weight.
- Choose a healthy diet and an effective workout plan for sustainable weight loss. Also, take your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Friendly Asked Questions
Can diabetes be cured completely?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that cannot be completely cured. However, with healthy lifestyle modifications and proper medications you can control diabetes and live a normal life.
Can you live a long life with type 2 diabetes?
By managing your diabetes well you can live a long life like any other person. Make sure that you manage your sugar levels well by choosing a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper medications.
Is type 2 diabetes serious?
If not managed well, diabetes can cause life-threatening complications such as heart and kidney disorders. Therefore it can be considered a serious condition.
Does exercise reverse type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes cannot be completely reversed. However, regular exercise is a crucial part of managing diabetes effectively.
Does type 2 diabetes get worse with age?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that worsens with time if not managed well. Advancing age is a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes.
What happens if you ignore type 2 diabetes?
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to multiple complications such as heart diseases, kidney damage, vision and hearing loss, delayed wound healing, skin infections, sleep problems, and dementia.
