Life-Threatening Complications of Diabetes
- Cardiovascular Disease:Diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease.
- Diabetic Nephropathy (Kidney Disease):High blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis or a transplant.
- Diabetic Neuropathy (Nerve Damage):Damage to nerves, especially in the legs, can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and digestive issues.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA):A dangerous condition caused by a lack of insulin, leading to a buildup of acids (ketones) in the blood.
- Diabetic Coma:Resulting from dangerously high or low blood sugar levels, a diabetic coma can lead to unconsciousness and death if not treated.
- Diabetic Retinopathy:Damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, which can lead to vision problems and blindness.
- Diabetic Foot Conditions:Nerve damage and poor blood flow can lead to foot ulcers, infections, and potentially amputations.
How to Lower Your Risk
- Follow Your Treatment Plan: Adhere to your prescribed medication and blood sugar management.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Incorporate regular exercise and a healthy eating plan into your routine.
- Regular Medical Visits: Attend all scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider to monitor your condition and screen for complications.
- Know the Warning Signs: Be aware of symptoms that could indicate a complication and seek immediate medical help when necessary
Can diabetes medicine be stopped ?
While type 1 diabetes requires lifelong medication, it may be possible to stop or reduce medication for type 2 diabetes under strict medical supervision. This is called remission and is typically achieved by making significant and sustainable lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and weight loss.
Warning: Never stop or change your diabetes medication without consulting a doctor. Discontinuing medication on your own can cause your blood sugar levels to rise to dangerous levels, which can lead to serious long-term complications
Remission for type 2 diabetes
Remission is when blood sugar levels are within a normal range without medication for at least a year. It is not a permanent cure, and the condition can return if healthy habits are not maintained. The best candidates for remission are often:
- Newly diagnosed with diabetes.
- Overweight or obese.
- Willing and able to commit to significant, long-term lifestyle changes.
Key steps to achieving remission
- Lose weight: Excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, increases insulin resistance. Even losing 5% to 10% of your body weight can significantly improve blood sugar control. Weight loss is the most important factor in achieving remission.
- Improve your diet:
- Reduce simple carbohydrates: Focus on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables instead of highly processed carbs like white bread and sugary drinks.
- Follow a healthy eating plan: Utilize methods like the plate method, which balances lean proteins, healthy carbs, and non-starchy vegetables.
- Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity helps your body use insulin more efficiently and lowers blood sugar levels. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, and incorporate strength training 2–3 times a week.
- Monitor blood sugar levels: Regular monitoring helps you and your doctor track progress and understand how your body is responding to lifestyle changes.
- Get professional guidance: Work with a healthcare team that may include a doctor, registered dietitian, and exercise professional. They can help create a personalized plan and supervise the tapering of medication.
The process of stopping medication
If you meet the target criteria for blood sugar control through lifestyle changes, your doctor may suggest a plan to gradually reduce your medication.
- Gradual tapering: Your doctor will likely reduce your dose in stages rather than having you stop abruptly. This prevents dangerous blood sugar spikes.
- Close monitoring: During this process, you will need to continue monitoring your blood sugar closely to ensure levels remain stable.
- Maintaining habits: Once medication is stopped, you must maintain the healthy lifestyle changes long-term. If blood sugar levels start to rise again, medication may need to be restarted.
Risks of stopping medication abruptly
Without proper medical guidance, stopping diabetes medication can lead to severe health consequences:
- Hyperglycemia: Your blood sugar will likely return to abnormally high levels, leading to fatigue, extreme thirst, and frequent urination.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): For people with type 1 diabetes (and sometimes type 2), stopping insulin can trigger this life-threatening emergency.
- Long-term complications: Uncontrolled blood sugar increases the risk of severe issues such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, nerve damage, and vision problems.