Overview – Type 2 diabetes is an impairment in the way the body regulates and uses sugar (glucose) as a fuel. This long-term (chronic) condition results in too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream. Eventually, high blood sugar levels can lead to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune systems.
In type 2 diabetes, there are primarily two interrelated problems at work. Your pancreas does not produce enough insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — and cells respond poorly to insulin and take in less sugar. Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes, but both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can begin during childhood and adulthood.
Type 2 is more common in older adults, but the increase in the number of children with obesity has led to more cases of type 2 diabetes in younger people. There’s no cure for type 2 diabetes, but losing weight, eating well and exercising can help you manage the disease.
Can I treat type 2 diabetes myself?
Although there’s no cure for type 2 diabetes, studies show it’s possible for some people to reverse it. Through diet changes and weight loss, you may be able to reach and hold normal blood sugar levels without medication, This doesn’t mean you’re completely cured.
- Type 2 diabetes is an ongoing disease.
- Even if you’re in remission, which means you aren’t taking medication and your blood sugar levels stay in a healthy range, there’s always a chance that symptoms will return.
- But it’s possible for some people to go years without trouble controlling their glucose and the health concerns that come with diabetes.
So how can you reverse diabetes ? The key seems to be weight loss. Not only can shedding pounds help you manage your diabetes, sometimes losing enough weight could help you live diabetes-free – especially if you’ve only had the disease for a few years and haven’t needed insulin.
What is type 2 diabetes and how is it treated?
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood to become too high. It can cause symptoms like excessive thirst, needing to pee a lot and tiredness, It can also increase your risk of getting serious problems with your eyes, heart and nerves. It’s a lifelong condition that can affect your everyday life, You may need to change your diet, take medicines and have regular check-ups. It’s caused by problems with a chemical in the body (hormone) called insulin, It’s often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Page last reviewed: 18 August 2020 Next review due: 18 August 2023 : Type 2 diabetes
How can type 2 diabetes be cured permanently?
Can diabetes be permanently reversed? – Reversing diabetes permanently is not possible now, and there will always be a risk of blood sugar levels rising again. But a doctor can help you manage your glucose levels, which can slow the progression of diabetes and prevent complications.
What is the best way to deal with diabetes?
1. Make a commitment to managing your diabetes – Members of your diabetes care team — primary care provider, diabetes care and education specialist, and dietitian, for example — can help you learn the basics of diabetes care and offer support along the way.
But it’s up to you to manage your condition. Learn all you can about diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Maintain a healthy weight. Monitor your blood sugar, and follow your health care provider’s instructions for managing your blood sugar level. Take your medications as directed by your health care provider.
Ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.
How long do people with type 2 diabetes live?
Life expectancy can be increased by 3 years or in some cases as much as 10 years. At age 50, life expectancy- the number of years a person is expected to live- is 6 years shorter for people with type 2 diabetes than for people without it. People with type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of complications and live longer by achieving their treatment goals.