The question, How can type 2 diabetes be cured?, is one that plagues many people. Although remission is a great step in the process, this does not mean the disease will never return. The genetic factors that make us susceptible to diabetes are not changed and, therefore, the disease process will gradually reassert itself. Environmental insults like diet and exercise will also reactivate symptoms of glucose intolerance.
The main goals of type 2 diabetes treatment are to control blood sugar levels and to control any other medical conditions. This may require smoking cessation. Diabetes is linked to an increased risk of hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea. While sleep apnea is common among individuals with type 2 diabetes, treating it does not improve blood sugar control. In addition, type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Poor blood sugar levels are associated with rapid declines in memory and thinking skills.
If a person’s BMI is higher than 35, bariatric surgery may be a viable option. The surgery works best for people with type 2 diabetes that has not progressed to the point where they can be controlled with medications. Bariatric surgery also carries a substantial risk of side effects. However, there are also several promising treatment methods being studied now. For now, however, no full cure exists.
