Why No Cure For Diabetes?

When it comes to diseases, some are curable whereas others are not. Diabetes belongs to the incurable group, which means people have no option but to learn to live with it. But what makes diabetes incurable? Is there any specific reason why diabetes cannot be cured? To answer such questions and to better understand diabetes, here are some important things to know.

Fundamental flaws – Diseases that result from fundamental flaws in the body are difficult to cure. Diabetes is one such disease that can never be fully cured. It arises from malfunction in pancreas that is responsible for producing insulin. Our body needs insulin to covert glucose into energy. Diabetes patients usually have two options – to take medicines that control blood sugar levels or insulin shots. A complete cure is currently not available for diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes – There are primarily two types of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2. In Type 1 diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes is essentially an autoimmune disease. Here, insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are mistakenly attacked and destroyed by the body’s own immune system. To achieve a cure, the immune cells will need to be reprogrammed so that they stop destroying insulin-producing cells. This is not possible with our current scientific and medical knowledge. Some treatments methods have been found to be successful on animals, but they are yet to be proven effective among humans.

Type 2 diabetes – This is usually classified as a lifestyle disease, wherein the body does not produce enough insulin. This too is incurable, but patients can live a healthy life with the right diet, exercise and medication. With lifestyle changes, some diabetic patients have also been able to achieve remission of their condition. However, a permanent cure is yet to be achieved.

Gestational diabetes – This usually occurs during pregnancy. The exact reason is not known, but it may be due to the increased diet of pregnant woman. In most cases, gestational diabetes goes away on its own after delivery.

Will there never be a cure for diabetes?

With scientific advancements, it may be possible to find a cure for diabetes. A number of novel treatment techniques are currently being studied and tested by researchers. Focus is also on simplifying existing treatment protocols for managing diabetes. For example, scientists are currently working on developing oral insulin. This will save patients from the hassle of everyday insulin injections.

However, you need not wait for a cure to take care of your health. Diabetes is actually a blessing in disguise, as it prompts you to follow healthy lifestyle choices. That includes eating healthy food, regular exercises and avoiding stress and anxiety. If you work a bit harder, you can also gain remission from Type 2 diabetes. Many people have achieved it and you can do the same.