Are they any closer to finding a cure for Diabetes?
2007-12-03 11:31:43 · 5 answers · asked by Mike M. 7 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Diabetes
Actually, there is a cure. A Pancreas transplant will do the trick in many cases. However, since diabetes can often be managed by lifestyle changes and insulin supplementation, the so-called "experts" usually deem this surgery unnecessary. As I'm sure you know, any surgery carries it's own risks, transplants are extremely expensive, and you'd be on anti-rejection medication for the rest of your life.
So, while they have found one cure, I think they are searching for a better one. I sincerely hope they find one soon. I have lost friends and family to this disease. I don't want to lose any more, or fall victim myself.
2007-12-04 01:59:21 · answer #1 · answered by baymast13 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your question is more complicated than you think. There is more than one type of diabetes mellitus (DM).
Type I is an autoimmune disorder in which the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin (a hormone that regulates how much sugar is taken up into your cells from your blood) are killed off by your own body's immune system, thereby making it so that your body does not produce insulin. A cure for that is something they've been working on for some time.
The trouble with autoimmune diseases is that your body attacks itself, so the primary treatments entail suppressing your immune system so that your body no longer attacks itself. The trouble with that is, your suppressed immune system also no longer attacks infectious diseases as well.
Type II DM is more of an insulin resistance problem in that your cells do not respond to insulin as well, so your insulin levels have to be higher to achieve the same effect. This type is more commonly associated with obesity and other health problems. Some people with mild Type II DM can cure themselves by losing weight, getting in shape, and eating right. Those with more severe Type II DM still can dramatically reduce the effects of the disease if they do the same.
Type I DM is something you get when you're younger, generally speaking, and used to be called "juvenile diabetes". There are no lifestyle modifications that will make your body produce insulin if you have Type I DM. The only shot at a cure really is to develop something that prevents the destruction of your insulin-producing cells in the first place.
So, there really is no short answer to your question. It depends which kind of DM you're talking about. If it's Type II DM, the best bet is to eat right, lose weight, get in shape, and stay in shape. That has been shown to dramatically help.
Also, maintain a normal blood sugar. Sugar levels that fluctuate widely cause dramatic side effects, including blindness, loss of limbs, etc. Blood sugar control is nothing to take lightly.
2007-12-03 19:44:04 · answer #2 · answered by Alfredo Garcia 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Which type?? Type one, type two, type 1.5, gestational,... what? They're all different. Type two is preventable. Type one is going to be cured in a few years by one Dr. Faustmann.
2007-12-03 22:58:23 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bit closer i think.
Google it.
2007-12-03 19:34:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Canada is getting close!
2007-12-03 19:35:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋