Tag: Insulin Resistance

Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Reversing Diabetes – Can Diabetes be Reversed? (447 words)

Anyone with diabetes or pre-diabetes wants to know the answer to this question: Can diabetes be reversed? Most medical experts are of the opinion that diabetes cannot be cured or reversed, but recent studies indicate that the condition can be controlled and the risk of complications can be lowered by keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.

Types of Diabetes

People with diabetes have abnormally high blood sugar levels. This may be because their body is not producing enough insulin, or they cannot properly use the insulin their body is producing.

Type-1 diabetes affects 5-10% of diabetics and is not reversible. In Type-1 diabetes, the person’s pancreas is not producing enough insulin, if at all. Insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are damaged and unable to produce this hormone.

Type-2 diabetes is more common and develops when the body loses its ability to process insulin correctly. This condition is also called insulin resistance. Obesity is the major cause of Type 2 diabetes. It can be controlled by medication but studies show that regular exercise and a healthy diet can help manage the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes even without medication.

Is There a Cure for Diabetes?

Diabetics and pre-diabetics are anxious to know if diabetes can be reversed or cured. While there is no cure for Type 1 diabetes, those with Type 2 diabetes are in a better position to control the disease. Insulin resistance manifested by Type 2 diabetes can be overcome by maintaining a healthy weight and by regular exercise. Controlling the symptoms, however, does not mean that the disease is reversed. If diabetics stop exercising regularly or go back to an unhealthy diet, their abnormally elevated blood sugar levels and other diabetic symptoms will return.

How to Manage Diabetes Symptoms

Obesity is a common cause of Type 2 diabetes because body fat causes an insulin imbalance. Those with excessive abdominal fat are more likely to develop diabetes. By exercising and limiting the consumption of carbohydrates, you can decrease fat and reduce blood sugar levels.

People who are prediabetic, or those with fasting blood sugar levels in the 100-125 mg/dL range, will find it easier to turn their blood glucose to normal levels. Those who are at risk of prediabetes or diabetes should eat a healthy diet that is low in sugar and carbohydrates and high in protein and fiber.

Most medical professionals agree that diabetes cannot be reversed or cured but the symptoms can be controlled by keeping blood sugar near normal levels. This can be done by medication, or by exercise and a diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, meats and dairy products. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Blood Sugar Levels
  • Related Blogs on Cause Of Type 2 Diabetes
Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment



Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong metabolic disorder characterized by high levels of glucose or sugar in the blood.  Type 1 diabetes is when the body does not generate sufficient insulin while Type 2 diabetes is when the cells do not respond to insulin.  This article focuses on the causes, symptoms and treatment of diabetes type 2.

About Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes type 2 is the most common type of diabetes and affects 90-95% of diabetics.  It is characterized by insulin resistance or a defective response by the cells to insulin.  In some cases, production of insulin by the pancreas may be reduced.

Glucose or blood sugar provides fuel for the cells in the body.  Insulin is responsible for transporting glucose from the bloodstream into the cells.  When insulin cannot move the glucose into the cells, glucose accumulates in the blood and can cause diabetes complications such as damage to the nerves, kidneys, cardiovascular system and vision.

What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is primarily caused by lifestyle factors and genetics.  A sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and a diet high in carbohydrates and sweets are the most common causes of diabetes 2.

Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

The usual symptoms of diabetes are increased frequency of urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger.  People who have diabetes may also lose weight for no apparent reason.

When left untreated, diabetes can result in vision damage.  Prolonged high levels of glucose in the blood can cause glucose absorption in the lens of the eye, resulting in changes in its shape leading to blurred vision.

Other symptom of diabetes are skin rashes and wounds that heal very slowly.

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease with no known cure.  As such, “treatment” may be a misnomer.  A better term might be “management” of the disease.  Management focuses on keeping blood glucose levels as close as possible to normal.  If you are diagnosed with diabetes type 2, your doctor may prescribe some form of medication.  Diet and exercise are also important in controlling type 2 diabetes.

Recent studies show that type 2 diabetes can be successfully managed without the need for medications.  A healthy diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, protein, wholegrain cereals, dairy products, fruits and vegetables can keep blood sugar at normal or near-normal levels.  The right diet and exercise help diabetics manage their blood sugar levels and prevent or reduce complications of diabetes such as blindness, kidney damage, nerve damage, and heart disease.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Causes Of Diabetes
Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

How Do You Get Diabetes?



People who suffer from diabetes, and even those who don’t, often wonder and ask: How do you get diabetes?  What is the cause of diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder wherein the body is unable to regulate its blood sugar level.  The hormone insulin which is secreted by the pancreas plays an important role in controlling glucose levels in the blood.  If the production of insulin is hampered or if the body becomes resistant to insulin, diabetes symptoms may appear.

Types of Diabetes

To answer the question “How do you get diabetes?”, it helps if you know what the main types of diabetes are.  Type 1 diabetes occurs when cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin, called beta cells, are destroyed and can no longer produce insulin.  Medical professionals believe that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder.

How Do You Get Diabetes?

How Do You Get Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, affecting 90-95% of diabetes sufferers.  In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas continues to produce insulin but the body develops insulin resistance and the insulin becomes less effective.

Gestational diabetes occurs in some women during pregnancy.  This condition usually self-corrects after childbirth.

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes

How do you get type 1 diabetes?

Medical experts generally believe that Type 1 diabetes is caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors.  The exact cause is not known but experts think that some people inherit genes that tell the body to destroy beta cells.  An unhealthy diet and negative environmental factors can trigger the onset of the disease.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and is characterized by insulin resistance.  It usually develops later in life, although these days diabetic sufferers are getting younger and younger.

Genetics also plays a role in Type 2 diabetes.  If you have a family member with the condition, you may also develop diabetes.  Age may also be a factor – people who are over 40 years old are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Other probable causes of type 2 diabetes include obesity, an unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise.

Causes of Gestational Diabetes

There is no clear answer to the question: How do you get gestational diabetes?  This conditional can happen to some women during pregnancy.  It is believed that hereditary genes as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause gestational diabetes.

How Do You Prevent Diabetes?

Diabetes may be difficult to avoid and prevent if you are genetically predisposed to the condition, but studies show that a healthy diet, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight can greatly reduce the chances of developing the disease.