Is There A Cure For Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your body has a difficult time producing or using insulin (via American Diabetes Association). The disease affects 34.2 million Americans, and more cases have occurred in young people over the past few years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, some 88 million adults have prediabetes, a condition in which you have elevated blood sugar levels, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. The good news is being diagnosed with prediabetes does not always mean you will end up with diabetes, per Mayo Clinic.

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are two main types of diabetes: types 1 and 2. With type 1 diabetes, the pancreas either produces too little insulin or stops producing it at all. With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still makes insulin, but it cannot use it properly. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, and some rare conditions can cause diabetes.

Currently, there is no cure for either type of diabetes, per WebMD. That being said, there are several treatments that are available to manage it. In most cases of type 1 diabetes, insulin is needed to stabilize blood sugar levels. Usually, insulin is injected with a pump, and you will need to check your levels throughout the day to keep it stable. Sometimes, oral medications might be more useful when injections aren't successful, according to Healthline.

With type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes can be enough to manage blood sugar levels, according to University of Michigan Health. These changes include losing weight if you are overweight, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise. But while some people have luck reversing their diabetes with lifestyle changes, it doesn't happen with everyone. In many cases, a doctor will prescribe medication to help control blood sugar levels.