Can you live with diabetes without medication?

Official answer. Some people can control and manage type 2 diabetes without medicine, but many others will need diabetes medications along with lifestyle changes. If you are newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your provider may first recommend that you manage your diabetes using lifestyle changes only.


Can diabetics survive without medication?

Lifestyle changes can help you keep your blood sugar levels in the normal range. You can treat type 2 diabetes without medication by focusing on: Eating a healthy, balanced diet. Losing weight to achieve a BMI in the healthy range.

How long can you live with untreated diabetes?

Life expectancy can be increased by 3 years or in some cases as much as 10 years. At age 50, life expectancy- the number of years a person is expected to live- is 6 years shorter for people with type 2 diabetes than for people without it.


What happens if a diabetic goes untreated?

If left untreated, diabetes can lead to devastating complications, such as heart disease, nerve damage, blindness, kidney failure and amputations. And the risk of death for adults with diabetes is 50 percent higher than for adults without diabetes.

How can I control my diabetes without taking medicine?

Manage Diabetes without Medication
  1. Eat a healthy diet. Choose to eat more whole fruits and vegetables, more whole grains and lean proteins. ...
  2. Lose weight. ...
  3. Exercise. ...
  4. Make a commitment to exercising regularly by finding a partner. ...
  5. Test your blood sugar. ...
  6. Get enough quality sleep. ...
  7. Getting regular checkups.


Reversing Diabetes Without Medication



How long does it take to reverse diabetes without medication?

Diabetes, till now, was viewed as an incurable lifelong disease, but now you can reverse diabetes in the right set of patients, in the right stage of diagnosis. Diabetes is said to be reversed when your HbA1c is less than 6.5% and stays in this range for at least 6 months WITHOUT medications.

At what blood sugar level is medication required?

Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L ) is normal. 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L ) is diagnosed as prediabetes. 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L ) or higher after two hours suggests diabetes.

Can a diabetic go back to normal?

But yes, it may be possible to put your type 2 diabetes into remission. This is when your blood sugar levels are below the diabetes range and you don't need to take diabetes medication anymore. This could be life-changing.


What does untreated diabetes feel like?

Symptoms include sexual problems, digestive issues (a condition called gastroparesis), trouble sensing when your bladder is full, dizziness and fainting, or not knowing when your blood sugar is low.

What makes diabetes worse?

For people with diabetes, blood sugar can spike. Dehydration—less water in your body means your blood sugar is more concentrated. Nose spray—some have chemicals that trigger your liver to make more blood sugar. Gum disease—it's both a complication of diabetes and a blood sugar spiker.

What is the longest you can live with diabetes?

Diabetes Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of a type 2 diabetic patient is between 77 to 81 years. However, it is not uncommon for diabetics to live past the age of 85, should they be able to maintain good blood sugar levels and lengthen their lifespan.


What is the leading cause of death in diabetic patients?

Indeed, myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death among individuals with diabetes mellitus.

What are the signs that diabetes is getting worse?

Here are four signs that your type 2 diabetes is getting worse and you need to act promptly to take control of your blood glucose level:
  • There's inexplicable weight loss. ...
  • You feel thirsty very often. ...
  • You urinate very frequently. ...
  • Recurring infections.


What is silent diabetes?

“Diabetes starts as a silent disease, advancing painlessly, almost imperceptibly,” says Dr. Ferrer, who sees 25 to 30 diabetic patients per week. “It mainly attacks the small blood vessels, damaging the kidneys, eyes, and nerves.” It can also affect larger blood vessels.


How do you know if your diabetes is uncontrolled?

Uncontrolled diabetes is diagnosed when your blood glucose (sugar) levels are 180 milliliters per deciliter (ml/dL) or higher. When diabetes is uncontrolled, persistently high blood sugar levels can damage nerves, blood vessels, and vital organs.

Does diabetes get worse with age?

You may need to make changes in your medication and diet and exercise habits as your condition progresses. Even if your diabetes has been well controlled for years, the condition can still worsen over time, meaning, you may have to adjust your treatment plan more than once.

Is it true once a diabetic always a diabetic?

This doesn't mean you're completely cured. Type 2 diabetes is an ongoing disease. Even if you're in remission, which means you aren't taking medication and your blood sugar levels stay in a healthy range, there's always a chance that symptoms will return.


What are the final stages of diabetes?

What are the signs of end-of-life due to diabetes?
  • using the bathroom frequently.
  • increased drowsiness.
  • infections.
  • increased thirst.
  • increased hunger.
  • itching.
  • weight loss.
  • fatigue.


At what A1C level do you start medication?

What A1c levels require medication/treatment? There is no specific A1c level that makes it necessary for you to be on medication. While an A1c of 6.5% or higher is indicative of diabetes, some people may need to start taking medication for an A1c under 6.5%.

What drink lowers blood sugar?

Drinking water regularly may rehydrate the blood, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes risk ( 20 , 21 ). Keep in mind that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best.


What A1C level requires insulin?

Insulin therapy will often need to be started if the initial fasting plasma glucose is greater than 250 or the HbA1c is greater than 10%.

Can your pancreas start working again type 2 diabetes?

Pancreatic beta cells that do not produce sufficient insulin in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are not permanently damaged during the early stages of the disease and can be restored to normal function through the removal of excess fat in the cells, according to a study entitled “Remission of Type 2 Diabetes for Two ...

Which food is not good for diabetes?

Worst Choices
  • Fried meats.
  • Higher-fat cuts of meat, such as ribs.
  • Pork bacon.
  • Regular cheeses.
  • Poultry with skin.
  • Deep-fried fish.
  • Deep-fried tofu.
  • Beans prepared with lard.


How much exercise to reverse diabetes?

An Exercise Schedule to Reverse Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association suggests getting at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity in addition to 2 to 3 sessions of resistance training per week.