There’s no cure for diabetes. Once someone has the disease, it’s something that they will need to be aware of and take preventative measures to manage on a daily basis for the rest of their lives. However, although this is still the case, researchers recently announced that it is possible for Type 2 diabetes to go into remission if the disease is well managed early on after an initial diagnosis is made.
This study indicated that people who lose 10 percent or more of their body weight in the first five years after a Type 2 diagnosis have a strong chance of seeing their diabetes go into remission. In other words, by losing a significant amount of weight, these individuals can live without the symptoms and complications of diabetes. There might not be a cure for the disease, but it is a huge step forward in the fight against it. Simply by managing and maintaining other health factors, people in the early stages of this disease can effectively live without it.
Maintaining that new standard of health is important, and many people do struggle over the long term. However, this study showed that there is hope out there. Sometimes, that bit of hope is exactly what’s needed to help people maintain their vigilance toward health over the long haul.
Across the globe, there are about 400 million people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes. It is one of the leading causes of heart disease, stroke, and blindness. It can often lead to a need to amputate a body part, typically lower extremities. Weight loss is not a guarantee that Type 2 diabetes will go into remission, but it can be a huge help. In a joint study, it was found that consuming 700 calories per day for eight weeks led to remission in almost 90 percent of the study’s participants. While this might seem extreme–the average caloric need for an adult is close to 2,000 calories per day–the health consequences of such a diet are extraordinary.
Something this drastic isn’t always necessary. This newer study confirmed that weight loss achieved over a longer period of time–five years, in this case–led to remission of the disease in about half of the observed instances. That’s great news for those that want to help their families live healthier lives.
When a loved one has diabetes or another health concern, having a team on your side is important. Providing care to an elderly loved one can easily become more complicated because of these health concerns. If you’re going to hire a professional, you will want to be assured that they are familiar with the complications that can come from diabetes and have the skills and knowledge to effectively care for your loved one despite this.
That’s where we can help. We ensure that our caregivers have the latest and most up to date training so that they can give your family the best in-home care possible. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions about care or what we can do to help you and your family live a better life.
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