CAN TYPE 2 DIABETES BE REVERSED?

More than 11% of Americans have diabetes, a chronic and serious medical condition that affects how your body uses blood sugar (glucose), a primary energy source for cells and tissues. While there are different types of diabetes, Type 2 is the most common, accounting for nearly 30 million of the roughly 37 million Americans who have diabetes.

The complications of Type 2 diabetes are serious, but the good news is, unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes can often be managed — and in some ways, essentially “reversed.” At Three Angels Family Practice & Wellness Center, Danette J. Joseph, MD, works closely with patients from Hershey, Pennsylvania, to help customize treatment plans aimed at reversing the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes and improving their overall health, too. If you have Type 2 diabetes, here’s how she can help you.

TYPE 2 DIABETES: THE BASICS

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder, which means a problem with your metabolism causes it. In this case, your body doesn’t use insulin as it should.

Produced by your pancreas, insulin is a hormone that helps your body manage your glucose levels. In Type 2 diabetes, your pancreas produces insulin, but your body isn’t able to use it correctly, which means insulin isn’t effective in keeping your glucose levels within a healthy range.

Type 2 diabetes used to happen in adults who were overweight or obese primarily. But today, with childhood obesity rates on the rise, it’s also becoming common in kids and teens.

PUTTING TYPE 2 DIABETES INTO REMISSION

Instead of reversing Type 2 diabetes, it’s probably more correct to consider putting it into remission. Essentially, while there’s no cure for Type 2 diabetes, there are things you can do to keep your symptoms under control and prevent them from interfering in your life.

This is known as remission; your remission could be lifelong with the proper management plan. For most people, managing Type 2 diabetes, keeping it in remission, and “reversing” its symptoms and side effects means four things: weight loss, diet, exercise, and medication.

WEIGHT LOSS

Extra fat interferes with your body’s ability to produce and use insulin, which means your glucose levels can soar. Losing just a small percentage of your body weight can dramatically affect your fat ratio, making it easier for your body to control your glucose level naturally.

HEALTHY DIET

Focusing on a nutrient-dense diet prevents nutritional deficiencies that can drive overeating. It also prevents you from consuming too much sugar.

Your diet should also include plenty of deeply colored fruits and vegetables and omega-3 fatty acid sources, like oily fish. These have anti-inflammatory benefits to help “cancel out” the inflammation that can happen when glucose levels are unmanaged.

EXERCISE

Exercising is important for improving both physical and mental health, and it can help your body burn calories (and glucose) more efficiently. Bonus: Being more active can help you shed those extra pounds, too.

MEDICATION

You might be able to keep your diabetes in remission with weight management, diet, and exercise. But some people may also need medication to manage their glucose levels. Yes, that might mean insulin, but it can also include medications to help your body produce more insulin and even use it more effectively.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TYPE 2 DIABETES REMISSION

You can manage your Type 2 diabetes successfully. The key to achieving remission is to start a management plan early and stick to it. Regular office checkups can help ensure your plan stays on track as your needs change.

To learn more about Type 2 diabetes management plans, call (717) 298-1268 or book an appointment online with Three Angels Family Practice & Wellness Center today.