Which types of diabetes can and can't be cured?

Depending on the type of diabetes a person suffers from, it may or may not be curable. Discover treatment options for maintaining a happy, healthy lifestyle.
Diabetes is an autoimmune disease and dysregulation of insulin (a hormone secreted by the pancreas) causing elevated blood sugars. Of the three types of diabetes, only one is not a permanent condition.

This type of diabetes, which can manifest during childhood, is an autoimmune disease (when the body’s immune system response attacks its own healthy cells, in this case the cells producing insulin in the pancreas are destroyed). Type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 10 per cent of all diabetic diagnosis and has no cure.

Though relatively little is known about the cause, two factors are commonly linked to type 1 diabetes: genetic predisposition (heredity), and environmental factors.

Treatment options for type 1 diabetes include:

• Insulin injections, for a lifetime.
• Following the guidelines and meal plans of a nutritionist.
• Regular physical exercise.

It’s recommended to always carry glucose tablets with you, or to have candy, juice or soft drinks at the first sign of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Type 2 diabetes is the most common and is more likely to occur in adults. Primarily linked with poor lifestyle habits, some factors increase the risk.

Causes of type 2 diabetes include:

• Obesity and being overweight;
• Accumulation of belly fat;
• Poor diet and nutrition;
• Sedentary lifestyle;
• Heredity;
• High blood pressure;
• History of pre-existing or gestational diabetes (during pregnancy);
• Gender (men are more at risk of developing it than women);
• Age (the risk increases with age);
• Ethnicity (people with Aboriginal, Asian, African or Hispanic ancestry are at higher risk);
• Women who give birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kg.

Treatment options for type 2 diabetes include abalanced, nutritious diet, exercise and medications (usually tablets of insulin).

You can not cure type 2 diabetes, but you can do a lot to control it by improving your diet and losing weight. In fact, with proper fitness and nutrition, you may no longer need to rely on medication or insulin injections at all.

Gestational diabetes tends to occur near the end of the second trimester or during the third trimester. In 90 per cent of cases, gestational diabetes disappears after delivery; however it is linked to a predisposition and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.

Causes of gestational diabetes include:

• Hormonal changes (caused by the placenta);
• Pre-existing gestational diabetes from a previous pregnancy;
• Birthing a baby weighing more than 4 kg from a previous pregnancy;
• Weight gain.

For treatment of gestational diabetes, practicing a healthy lifestyle where you follow a diet plan to control your blood sugar, exercise regularly and get enough sleep is what counts the most. In some cases, when good habits aren’t enough, insulin or tablets may be prescribed.