Build Your Health Care Team
There are many medical professionals who can help you live well with diabetes, including:
- Endocrinologists
NHS Inform: âType 2 diabetes.â
American Diabetes Association: âSkin Complications,â âDiabetes and Hearing Loss.â
Alzheimerâs Association: âAlzheimerâs disease and type 2 diabetes: A growing connection.â
UpToDate: âSodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors for the treatment of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes Care: “Investigation of the Accuracy of 18 Marketed Blood Glucose Monitors.â
Diatribe.org: âFDA Publishes Final Recommendations on Blood Glucose Meter Accuracy.â
Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology: “Lot-to-lot variability of test strips and accuracy assessment of systems for self-monitoring of blood glucose according to ISO 15197.â
MIT School of Engineering: “How do glucometers work?â
National Institute of Mental Health: “Depression.”
American Diabetes Association: “Depression.”
The Treatments Are Different
There’s only one treatment for type 1 diabetes: insulin replacement. “Without insulin, people with type 1 diabetes may die from complications like diabetic ketoacidosis,” says Dr. Adimoolam.
There are a wide range of treatment options for type 2 diabetes, starting with oral and injectable medications to control blood sugar, then moving on to insulin when those things stop working. “Many people with type 2 diabetes are on a combination of these treatments,” says Dr. Adimoolam.
A healthy diet and regular exercise are a cornerstone of managing both forms of diabetes.
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Which Type Of Diabetes Is Hereditary
There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is the more common form of diabetes in children and accounts for 10% or less of all adult cases. Type 2 is most often diagnosed in adults with a family history of diabetes and accounts for 90-95% of adult cases.
There are some instances where one can inherit type 2 diabetes, but its not as common as developing it later on in life due to lifestyle choices like diet and exercise habits that lead to obesity.
If youre wondering if you inherited this condition from your parents, talk with your healthcare provider about genetic testing. If you have any questions regarding which type of diabetes you may have, feel free to leave them below!
So Type 2 Diabetes Can Be Reversed
Yes, type 2 diabetes can be reversed if it is caught early enough and treated effectively with lifestyle changes.
There are some misconceptions about whether or not diabetes can be reversed, primarily due to the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an irreversible autoimmune condition that attacks insulin-producing beta cells dramatically reduces insulin production.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is a reversible condition in the majority of cases, and is primarily caused by insulin resistance.
According to the statistics, type 1 diabetes is less common , typically occurring in younger people, while type 2 diabetes is more common , and typically occurs later in life.
So while 5-10% of cases cannot be reversed, the vast majority can be reversed. However, this relies on effective treatment early on.
In this article, well explore the causes of type 2 diabetes, touch on what happens if you dont reverse type 2 diabetes, and take a look at 5 evidence-based ways that you can reverse type 2 diabetes and return your blood glucose levels to normal.
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Which Type Of Diabetes Is Most Common
Type 1 diabetes is much less common and affects about 1.25 million people. It is further estimated that of the 29.1 million people affected with diabetes, about 8.1 million people are undiagnosed, meaning that they have diabetes but are not aware of it. There has been an increase in the number of Americans with prediabetes. In 2010, 79 million people were estimated to have prediabetes. In 2012, this number was 86 million.
Mody Maturity Onset Diabetes Of The Young
MODY is a rare form of diabetes that is caused by a change in a single gene. This means there is a 1 in 2 chance of inheriting MODY from an affected parent, and it runs strongly in families. The most common genes that cause MODY are HNF1A, HNF4A, HNF1B and glucokinase, and the condition presents differently depending on which gene specifically is affected.
A genetic test can be used to confirm MODY and work out which gene is affected. It is important to know which gene is causing MODY, as treatment varies accordingly. Some forms of MODY may require insulin injections, while others are treated using drugs to boost insulin production in the pancreas. One form of MODY requires no treatment at all.
MODY is typically diagnosed under the age of 25, often with a family history of diabetes.
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Coaching To Help You Reverse Insulin Resistance
At Mastering Diabetes, we have a comprehensive coaching program based on years of research that has helped hundreds of people reverse their type 2 diabetes.
In the program, you can get access to hundreds of articles, recipes, and tips on how to eat healthy and reverse insulin resistance, and you can get coaching from diabetes experts, either in group or one-on-one sessions.
Theres also a vibrant community of people on your exact same journey, working to reverse insulin resistance and stay on top of their health together.
Controlling and reversing type 2 diabetes is entirely within your control. You just have to take the right steps!
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Gastric Bypass Surgery Improves Blood Sugar Handling and Insulin Sensitivity, Study Finds — ScienceDaily. .
Gastric Bypass Surgery: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. .
Han, Ling, Lijin Ji, Jing Chang, Jian Wen, Wenting Zhao, Hongli Shi, Linuo Zhou, et al. Peripheral Neuropathy Is Associated with Insulin Resistance Independent of Metabolic Syndrome. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome 7, no. 1 : 14. .
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Could I Have Been Misdiagnosed Do I Have Type 1 Or Type 2 Diabetes
A recent study found 38% of those with type 1 diagnosed after age 30 were not initially given insulin learn ways of differentiating between type 1 and type 2 at diagnosis
Though a type 1 diabetes diagnosis is generally associated with children, it can occur at every age. In fact, more than 40% of type 1 diabetes diagnoses occur after the age of 30. Unfortunately, it is very common for so-called late-onset type 1 to be misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes, given the similar symptoms and high rates of type 2 diabetes in adults. The consequences of a missed diagnosis of type 1 diabetes are significant due to a lack of appropriate action e.g. insulin therapy, carb counting, continuous glucose monitor and pump use.
A recent study in Diabetologia found that 21% of people initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after the age of 30 and treated with insulin actually had type 1 diabetes. A striking 38% of those with late-onset type 1 did not immediately receive insulin putting them at high risk of diabetic ketoacidosis . Of those with late-onset type 1 diabetes, 85% required insulin within one year of diagnosis. Indeed, if insulin treatment is required within three years of diagnosis with type 2 diabetes, there is a high likelihood that a type 1 diagnosis was missed.
Unfortunately, there is no “definitive” go-to tool that differentiates a diagnosis between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. There are, however, lab tests that look for certain markers of type 1:
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What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes include
- numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
- sores that do not heal
- unexplained weight loss
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowlyover the course of several yearsand can be so mild that you might not even notice them. Many people have no symptoms. Some people do not find out they have the disease until they have diabetes-related health problems, such as blurred vision or heart disease.
Which Diets Are Recommended For Diabetes
Nutritional management is an important part of life for people with diabetes.
If you have type 1 diabetes, work with your doctor to identify how much insulin you may need to inject after eating certain types of food.
For example, carbohydrates can cause blood sugar levels to quickly increase in people with type 1 diabetes. Youll need to counteract this by taking insulin, but youll need to know how much insulin to take. Learn more about type 1 diabetes and diet.
People with type 2 diabetes need to focus on healthy eating. Weight loss is often a part of type 2 diabetes treatment plans, so your doctor may recommend a low-calorie meal plan. This could mean reducing your consumption of animal fats and junk food.
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What Should Type 2 Diabetics Eat
For people with type 2 diabetes, figuring out a healthy diet and food choices can be an uphill battle. In addition to having to adjust lifelong eating habits, theres a great deal of conflicting information about what you can eat, what you should eat, and what you might want to eat.
Well try to offer a bit of a simplification. For most people with type 2 diabetes, the number one goal is to reverse insulin resistance, as this is the most surefire way to reverse type 2 diabetes and ensure that your pancreas is healthy in the long term.
Add in a secondary goal of maintaining healthy blood glucose along the way, and the evidence points very clearly to one type of diet: a low-fat, plant-based, whole-food diet high in whole carbohydrates.
In this article, well explain our research-backed approach for diabetes management , which works well for type 1 diabetes management, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, along with some of the principles behind how it works.
Then, well touch on how this diet compares to the alternatives, and touch on a recommended meal plan and some tips for healthy eating.
Are The Symptoms Of Diabetes Different
The first symptoms of type 1 diabetes appear when blood sugar gets too high. Symptoms include thirst, hunger, fatigue, frequent urination, weight loss, tingling or numbness in the feet, and blurred vision. Very high blood sugar can cause rapid breathing, dry skin, fruity breath, and nausea.
Meanwhile, the first symptoms of type 2 diabetes may not show up for many years meaning the disease can ravage a persons body without them realizing it. Early symptoms include frequent infections, fatigue, frequent urination, thirst, hunger, blurred vision, erectile dysfunction in men, and pain or numbness in the hands or feet. Drincic notes that “symptoms of type 2 diabetes don’t start as suddenly as symptoms of type 1 diabetes.”
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Things Im Sick Of Hearing As Someone With Type 1 Diabetes
I have lived with type 1 diabetes for nearly 15 years. This disease, which is largely misunderstood by the public, is a chronic illness that can feel like a full-time job. For us type 1 diabetics, its a 24/7 gig that consists of constantly monitoring blood glucose levels, administering insulin injections, and having to worry about how diet, exercise, and many other factors affect our health now and in the future. No matter what I do, my type 1 diabetes is not going away.
Experiencing low blood sugar, dealing with the cost of medication, and managing stress and anxious feelings related to diabetes are bummer side effects of the condition that we are forced to live with. What I refuse to live with, however, is any stigma attached to being diabetic.
First, I want to clarify what type 1 diabetes really is, as its often misunderstood. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas cant produce insulin, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says.
When my blood glucose levels are high, I am fatigued and weak. My head pounds, my mouth is dry, and I am thirstier than you could ever believe. Having to inject my own insulin means I can also face low glucose levels at times. The worst part of having low blood sugar is scary, extreme full-body weakness. My condition can lead to future health problems, too: Type 1 diabetics worry about complications including heart disease, eye damage, and kidney damage.
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Can Type 2 Diabetes Turn Into Type 1
If you have type 2 diabetes, you might be wondering if it will ever turn into type 1 diabetes. Its understandable that you would think about this, especially if you take insulin. In short, however, the answer is no.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes, two of the most common forms of diabetes, are actually two very different conditions. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. As a result, someone with type 1 needs to inject insulin in order to survive. Researchers believe that genetics or environmental factors are the cause of type 1. For the most part, type 1 diabetes is more common in children, adolescents and young adults but anyone at any age can develop type 1 diabetes.
So, type 2 diabetes does not become type 1 diabetes. But it is possible for someones type of diabetes to be misdiagnosed. In other words, someone may be told they have type 2 diabetes, but they actually have type 1 diabetes. Heres why: diabetes symptoms can be the same in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. For example, if your blood sugar is high, you may feel tired and thirsty and you might lose some weight. If you go to the doctor because of your symptoms, you may be quickly diagnosed with type 2 and prescribed a diabetes pill to take. This is more likely to happen if youre an adult and if youre overweight or obese .
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What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes
People who have type 2 diabetes may not know it because the symptoms aren’t always obvious and they can take a long time to develop. Some people don’t have any symptoms at all.
But when a person gets type 2 diabetes, he or she may:
- pee a lot because the body tries to get rid of the extra blood sugar by passing it out of the body in the urine
- drink a lot to make up for all that peeing
- feel tired all the time because the body can’t use sugar for energy properly
Also, people whose bodies are having problems using insulin or who are overweight may notice something called acanthosis nigricans. This can cause a dark ring around the neck that doesn’t wash off, as well as thick, dark, velvety skin under the arms, in between fingers and toes, between the legs, or on elbows and knees. This skin darkening can lighten over time with improvement in insulin resistance.
In addition, girls with insulin resistance may have polycystic ovary syndrome . In PCOS, the ovaries get bigger and develop fluid-filled sacs called cysts. Girls with this condition often have irregular periods or may stop having periods, and they might have excess facial and body hair.
Type 15 Diabetes Treatment
Type 1.5 diabetes results from your body not producing enough insulin. But since its onset is gradual, oral medication that treats type 2 diabetes can work, at least at first, to treat it.
People who have type 1.5 diabetes also may test positive for at least one of the antibodies that people who have type 1 diabetes tend to have. As your body slows down its production of insulin, youll need insulin as part of your treatment. People who have LADA often require insulin within five years of diagnosis.
Insulin treatment is the preferred treatment method for type 1.5 diabetes. There are many different types of insulin and insulin regimens. The dosage of insulin that you need may vary daily, so monitoring your glucose levels through frequent blood sugar testing is essential.
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Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors
Certain things make it more likely that youâll get type 2 diabetes. The more of these that apply to you, the higher your chances of getting it are. Some things are related to who you are:
- Age. 45 or older
- Family. A parent, sister, or brother with diabetes
- Ethnicity. African American, Alaska Native, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or Pacific Islander American
Risk factors related to your health and medical history include:
- Prediabetes
- Sleeping too little or too much
Can A Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis Be Wrong
It is not uncommon for people to have type 2 diabetes. However, many are misdiagnosed with type 1 when they actually have type 2. Type 1 diabetics pancreas no longer produce insulin and need injections of insulin daily in order to live a normal life. The consequences can be devastating if someone has been misdiagnosed with the wrong disease!
The blog post will discuss how to determine which one you have so that you can start getting the right treatment immediately. Click here for more information on how to tell which one you may have!
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