Type 2 diabetes can it be cured

Control your carbs. To help take charge of your diabetes, manage how much and what type of carbohydrate you eat. Spread carbs throughout your day. Stay active. When you are active, your body uses sugar. You can use activity to help lower your blood sugar and manage your diabetes. Exercise also can help you lose weight and stay at a healthy weight. Move more. If you use medicine, you may find you need less of it when you increase your exercise. Over time, exercise helps some people stop using medicine.

Know your A1c. The A1c test gives you your average blood sugar level over the few months before the test. Generally, A1c is checked at least 2 times a year. Talk with your doctor about how often you should have this test. Work with your doctor.

Some risks related to diabetes, such as heart disease, are still higher than normal even when your blood sugar is controlled. So work closely with your doctor, and go to all of your appointments. Related Information Type 2 Diabetes. References Citations Buse JB, et al. Consensus statement: How do we define cure of diabetes? Diabetes Care , 32 11 : — Credits Current as of: August 31, Top of the page Next Section: Related Information.

Previous Section: References Top of the page. If your blood glucose levels have been high for a long time, the complications can include :. Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone.

Your pancreas produces it and releases it when you eat. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body becomes resistant to insulin. Your body is no longer using the hormone efficiently.

This forces your pancreas to work harder to make more insulin. Over time, this can damage cells in your pancreas. Eventually, your pancreas may not be able to produce any insulin. It may have to do with cell dysfunction in the pancreas or with cell signaling and regulation. While lifestyle choices are typically what trigger type 2 diabetes, you may be more likely to be diagnosed with it if:. Type 2 diabetes can be managed, and in some cases, reversed. Most treatment plans will include checking your blood glucose levels , and your doctor will tell you how often you should do it.

The goal is to stay within a specific range. Additional lifestyle changes your doctor will most likely advise to help treat your type 2 diabetes include:. Additionally, working with a dietician can help you learn which foods can help you manage your blood sugar — and which ones might cause it to become unbalanced. Not everyone with type 2 diabetes needs to use insulin. There are other prescription medications that may help as well. In some cases, lifestyle changes are enough to keep type 2 diabetes under control.

If not, there are several medications that may help. Some of these medications include:. Each type of medication listed above can cause side effects. It may take some time for you and your doctor to find the best medication or combination of medications to treat your diabetes. If your blood pressure or cholesterol levels are also not ideal, you may need medications to address those needs as well.

If your body is unable to make enough insulin, you may need insulin therapy. You may only need a long-acting injection you can take at night, or you may need to take insulin several times per day. Learn about medications that can help you manage diabetes. Diet is an important tool to help maintain optimal heart health and blood glucose levels that are within a safe range.

The diet recommended for people with type 2 diabetes is the same diet just about everyone should follow. It boils down to a few key actions:. These include:. Some people may need to monitor their glucose more carefully than others after eating these foods. Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes does not mean carbs are off the table.

Healthy carbohydrates can provide you with energy and fiber. Some options include:. Fat is not off the table, either. Foods with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids include:.

You can get healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from a number of foods, including:. Talk with your doctor about your personal nutrition goals. Together, you can come up with a diet plan that tastes great and suits your lifestyle needs.

While there are some risk factors for type 2 diabetes that are out of your control like your age and heritage, as mentioned above , there are certain lifestyle choices that can also put you at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Some of these include:. Can you cure it? Diabetes can go into remission. When diabetes is in remission, you have no signs or symptoms of it.

But your risk of relapse is higher than normal. There is no known cure for type 2 diabetes. But it can be controlled. And in some cases, it goes into remission. For some people, a diabetes-healthy lifestyle is enough to control their blood sugar levels.

That means losing weight if you are overweight, eating healthy foods, and being more active. But most people with type 2 diabetes also need to take one or more medicines or insulin. Of those people who don't need diabetes medicine, some find that their diabetes does "reverse" with weight control, diabetes-healthy eating, and exercise. Their bodies are still able to make and use insulin, and their blood sugar levels go back to normal.

Their diabetes is in remission. Diabetes Canada does not have a guideline about remission. The American Diabetes Association uses the following definitions: footnote 1. Remission is most likely in the early stage of diabetes or after a big weight loss.

It can also happen after bariatric surgery for weight loss, which can trigger healthy changes in the body's insulin system. Remission is less likely in the later stages of diabetes, because the body may slowly lose its ability to make insulin over time. Whether your diabetes is under control or in remission, the keys to keeping high blood sugar down are weight control, exercise, and a diabetes-healthy diet.

There's no way to know in advance if your body can "reverse" your diabetes. It happens for some people and not for others, despite the same diet, exercise, weight loss, or even bariatric surgery. Experts don't fully understand why. Your goal is to do whatever it takes to keep your blood sugar in your target range. You may go into remission, or you may not. Keep these guidelines in mind. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

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