What is the life expactancy of diabetics who take care of themselves compared to the ones that do not?

Answer 1

Not very long if you don't take care of yourself but that time could vary depending on what the complications are. And if you have good control then a lot longer then if you let yourself go. But it is not easy to put into numbers.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Type 1 automatically shortens life span by 15 years based on current data. Period. That can vary somewhat, as genetics and control of BG's also play a role. However, this seems to be the average.

Some people die from diabetes related kidney failure at age 24, whereas some appear to have great genes and with a lot (or even just some!) of effort, can survive up to a normal lifespan. Type 1's normally have a longer duration of the disease and/or early onset.

I believe the oldest Type 1 has had it for 80+ years. These people are quite rare, and it is obviously genetics play a role in these cases. They were able to survive back in the day where there was no way they had any tools necessary to keep blood sugar levels in a "normal" range.

I think there have been almost 2400 medals have been given out by Joslin to people who have lived with diabetes (T1) for 50 years or more.

If you play with fire and do nothing to try and control your blood sugars, yes, there is a very good chance you will die very early. BUT I think we need to stop labelling Type 1 diabetics who succumb to this disease as ones "who did not take care of themselves". Insulin injections can NEVER replace a pancreas. Remember that. It is impossible, and no person can do it successfully.

Type 1 diabetes is VERY hard to control.

Genetics also play a role in who gets complications, and when.

Also, young Type 1 diabetics have died in their sleep due to unexpected low blood sugar, another side effect of our poor inadequate Type 1 diabetes treatment. It is stupid to blame the patient always, and yet, this is what people who have no concept of living with the disease do!

As for Type 2's, they are usually diagnosed later in life, but they may have had it for years, causing severe damage. If they lose weight, follow their diet, and exercise, they often can keep their blood sugars in the normal range. They may not even need meds. Then their prognosis can be very good if caught early. If they do not make the changes, I would have to say a loss of 10 years of life is average, along with complications prior to that.

Answer 4

Diabeteics that take care of themselves can live a rich and long life, I have a friend that is 90 years old and he has had diabetes from the tiime he was a child. He does have a bit of trouble with vision, but other than that he is fine.

Answer 5

Regardless of how good they take care of themselves, diabetics have a lower life expectancy than non-diabetics. Of course, if a diabetic take good care of him/herself, the difference on the life expectancy is huge. If a diabetic doesn't take care of him/herself, the risk of complications such as cardiovascular diseases, blindness, diabetic neuropathy, infections, etc... increases a lot.
It also depends if it's type 1 or type 2. In general, type 2 diabetics have a better life expectancy than type 1.
If a diabetic takes care, his/her life expectancy is almost the same as a non-diabetic person.