Dealing with Diabetes2 and remembering Goldi Community Group
A support group for individuals with Type2 diabetes. Encouragement, empathy, advice, and personal experiences from members dealing with the illness. A friendly environment with compassion and support as our main objective.
Cures for type 2 diabetes
Type 2 has had no cure. But, very recently, it has been shown that a type of gastric bypass surgery can normalize blood glucose levels in 80-100% of severely obese patients. The effect is not due to weight loss because it usually occurs within days of surgery, which is before significant weight loss happens. The pattern of secretion of gastrointestinal hormones is changed by the bypass and removal of the duodenum and proximal jejunum, which together form the upper (proximal) part of the small intestine. The precise causal mechanisms are being intensively researched. This approach may become a standard treatment for some people with type 2 diabetes in the near future. [40] One hypothesis is that the proximal small intestine is dysfunctional in type 2 diabetes; its removal eliminates the source of an unknown hormone that contributes to insulin resistance.[41] This surgery has been widely performed on morbidly obese patients and has had the additional benefit of reducing the death rate from all causes by up to 40%.[42] A small number of normal to moderately obese patients with type 2 diabetes have successfully undergone similar operations.[43][44]
Prognosis
Patient education, understanding, and participation is vital since the complications of diabetes are far less common and less severe in people who have well-controlled blood sugar levels.[45][46] Wider health problems accelerate the deleterious effects of diabetes. These include smoking, elevated cholesterol levels, obesity, high blood pressure, and lack of regular exercise. According to a study, women with high blood pressure have a threefold risk of developing diabetes.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some of those with type 2 diabetes who exercise regularly, lose weight, and eat healthy diets may be able to keep some of the disease or some of the effects of the disease in 'remission.' Certainly these tips can help prevent people predisposed to type 2 diabetes and those at pre-diabetic stages from actually developing the disorder as it helps restore insulin sensitivity. However patients should talk to their doctors about this for real expectations before undertaking it (esp. to avoid hypoglycemia or other complications); few people actually seem to go into total 'remission,' but some may find they need less of their insulin medications since the body tends to have lower insulin requirements during and shortly following exercise. Regardless of whether it works that way or not for an individual, there are certainly other benefits to this healthy lifestyle for both diabetics and nondiabetics.
The way diabetes is managed changes with age. Insulin production decreases because of age-related impairment of pancreatic beta cells. Additionally, insulin resistance increases because of the loss of lean tissue and the accumulation of fat, particularly intra-abdominal fat, and the decreased tissue sensitivity to insulin. Glucose tolerance progressively declines with age, leading to a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and postchallenge hyperglycemia in the older population.[47] Age-related glucose intolerance in humans is often accompanied by insulin resistance, but circulating insulin levels are similar to those of younger people. [48] Treatment goals for older patients with diabetes vary with the individual, and take into account health status, as well as life expectancy, level of dependence, and willingness to adhere to a treatment regimen.[49]
Type 2 has had no cure. But, very recently, it has been shown that a type of gastric bypass surgery can normalize blood glucose levels in 80-100% of severely obese patients. The effect is not due to weight loss because it usually occurs within days of surgery, which is before significant weight loss happens. The pattern of secretion of gastrointestinal hormones is changed by the bypass and removal of the duodenum and proximal jejunum, which together form the upper (proximal) part of the small intestine. The precise causal mechanisms are being intensively researched. This approach may become a standard treatment for some people with type 2 diabetes in the near future. [40] One hypothesis is that the proximal small intestine is dysfunctional in type 2 diabetes; its removal eliminates the source of an unknown hormone that contributes to insulin resistance.[41] This surgery has been widely performed on morbidly obese patients and has had the additional benefit of reducing the death rate from all causes by up to 40%.[42] A small number of normal to moderately obese patients with type 2 diabetes have successfully undergone similar operations.[43][44]
Prognosis
Patient education, understanding, and participation is vital since the complications of diabetes are far less common and less severe in people who have well-controlled blood sugar levels.[45][46] Wider health problems accelerate the deleterious effects of diabetes. These include smoking, elevated cholesterol levels, obesity, high blood pressure, and lack of regular exercise. According to a study, women with high blood pressure have a threefold risk of developing diabetes.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some of those with type 2 diabetes who exercise regularly, lose weight, and eat healthy diets may be able to keep some of the disease or some of the effects of the disease in 'remission.' Certainly these tips can help prevent people predisposed to type 2 diabetes and those at pre-diabetic stages from actually developing the disorder as it helps restore insulin sensitivity. However patients should talk to their doctors about this for real expectations before undertaking it (esp. to avoid hypoglycemia or other complications); few people actually seem to go into total 'remission,' but some may find they need less of their insulin medications since the body tends to have lower insulin requirements during and shortly following exercise. Regardless of whether it works that way or not for an individual, there are certainly other benefits to this healthy lifestyle for both diabetics and nondiabetics.
The way diabetes is managed changes with age. Insulin production decreases because of age-related impairment of pancreatic beta cells. Additionally, insulin resistance increases because of the loss of lean tissue and the accumulation of fat, particularly intra-abdominal fat, and the decreased tissue sensitivity to insulin. Glucose tolerance progressively declines with age, leading to a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and postchallenge hyperglycemia in the older population.[47] Age-related glucose intolerance in humans is often accompanied by insulin resistance, but circulating insulin levels are similar to those of younger people. [48] Treatment goals for older patients with diabetes vary with the individual, and take into account health status, as well as life expectancy, level of dependence, and willingness to adhere to a treatment regimen.[49]
A rather high-profile person in our state went to surgery last year and nearly died from the complications that he suffered. Months later he is back doing his job but looks far from well and is still having trouble with his mobility.
So I consider the risks far out weigh the benefits for me.
For those who have had it done and have really benefited from the op - I am very happy for you and I am sure that you feel a lot better. Just not a choice that I want to make.
My mother has had diabetes for a couple of decades or more - she will be 88 this year and has managed to stay healthy until the last couple of years (several heart attacks) and is still doing pretty well and is quite independent. And yes she would have been a candidate for the surgery back in the earlier years but decided against it too.
my grandmother was diabetic and lived to 84 she died in the late 60's I think that was longer than the average then.
The only thing i can think that may have helped is that she walked for miles and miles would never get a taxi of bus if she could help it!