Can diabetes be cured?
Nov 13, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, diabetes cannot currently be completely cured, but it can be well controlled through various methods. From the perspective of pathogenesis, type 1 diabetes results from the immune system mistakenly attacking pancreatic beta cells, leading to an absolute deficiency in insulin secretion. Once these beta cells are largely destroyed, they have limited capacity for regeneration, and current medical technologies are unable to fundamentally restore their function.
Generally speaking, diabetes cannot currently be completely cured, but it can be effectively controlled through various approaches. The specific analysis is as follows:
From the perspective of pathogenesis, type 1 diabetes results from the body's immune system mistakenly attacking insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to an absolute deficiency of insulin secretion. Once these beta cells are largely destroyed, they have limited capacity for regeneration, and current medical technologies cannot fundamentally restore their function. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, arises from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Although insulin resistance can be improved and insulin levels supplemented through lifestyle interventions and medication, the underlying genetic predispositions and lifestyle habits that contribute to the condition are difficult to eliminate entirely, making a complete cure unattainable.
Although diabetes cannot be cured, patients who adhere to a healthy lifestyle—such as maintaining a balanced diet, controlling carbohydrate and fat intake, increasing dietary fiber, engaging in regular physical activity, and keeping a healthy weight—and who follow medical advice regarding glucose-lowering medications or insulin therapy, along with regular blood glucose monitoring, can effectively control their blood sugar levels. This helps prevent or delay the onset of chronic complications associated with diabetes, enabling them to live and work much like individuals without the condition.
