Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed with insulin therapy and lifestyle changes. Type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type, can sometimes be reversed or put into remission with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications.
Lifestyle changes that can help manage and sometimes reverse type 2 diabetes include:
- Eating a healthy diet that is low in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats.
- Losing weight if you are overweight or obese.
- Exercising regularly.
- Managing stress levels.
- Quitting smoking.
- Getting enough sleep.
Medications that are used to manage type 2 diabetes include:
- Metformin, which helps reduce the amount of glucose produced by the liver.
- Sulfonylureas and meglitinides, which stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
- DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors, which help lower blood glucose levels in different ways.
It’s important to note that even if type 2 diabetes goes into remission, it can come back if you don’t maintain the lifestyle changes that helped put it into remission. So it’s important to continue to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle to manage the condition in the long term.