Can you live with diabetes without medication?

Over time, many people with type 2 diabetes need medicine to manage their disease. But a healthy lifestyle is also important. This is done through diet, exercise, and weight loss. This is true even if you are taking medicines to help manage your diabetes.

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Can you live without taking medication for diabetes?

Official answer. Some people can control and manage type 2 diabetes without medicine, but many others will need diabetes medications along with lifestyle changes. If you are newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your provider may first recommend that you manage your diabetes using lifestyle changes only.

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What happens if you don't take medication for diabetes?

If you stop taking a diabetes medication without consulting your doctor first, your blood sugar will likely return to abnormally high levels. Uncontrolled high blood sugar can lead to serious health consequences over the long term, including: Heart disease. Stroke.

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How do you accept being a diabetic?

Here are 10 tips that can help.
  1. Pay attention to your feelings. ...
  2. Talk with your health care providers about your feelings. ...
  3. Talk to your health care providers about negative reactions other people may have about your diabetes. ...
  4. Ask if help is available for the costs of diabetes medicines and supplies.

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Can you still enjoy life with diabetes?

If diagnosed and treated in the right way, early on, diabetes can be managed so that people go on to live long and healthy lives.

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Reversing Diabetes Without Medication

34 related questions found

How does a person with diabetes feel?

The symptoms you experience won't exactly match those of another person. However, the most common diabetes symptoms experienced by many people with diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, feeling tired and losing weight.

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At what A1c level do you start medication?

There is no specific A1c level that makes it necessary for you to be on medication. While an A1c of 6.5% or higher is indicative of diabetes, some people may need to start taking medication for an A1c under 6.5%. And others with an A1c over 6.5% aren't prescribed any medication.

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Can you live your whole life with diabetes and not know it?

So, yes, you most certainly can have diabetes and not know it. Without treatment, diabetes can increase your risk of developing other health issues, such as kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, or heart disease. Diabetes is a chronic health condition, but it can be managed.

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What is the life expectancy of a diabetic person?

Amongst those who are currently 65 years old, the average man can expect to live until 83 years old and the average woman to live until 85 years old. People with type 1 diabetes have traditionally lived shorter lives, with life expectancy having been quoted as being reduced by over 20 years.

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How can I control my A1C without medication?

Here are three tips for how to lower A1C naturally:
  1. Eat a balanced diet. Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in fiber. ...
  2. Get active. Active muscles are better at using insulin (a hormone that helps your body manage blood sugar levels) and using sugar for energy. ...
  3. Manage stress.

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What is the most common cause of death in diabetics?

Indeed, myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death among individuals with diabetes mellitus.

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Can you live 30 years with diabetes?

Some people have even lived with diabetes for seven and eight decades! It's important to know the risks of having a lifelong illness, but to not lose hope.

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Can you live to 100 with diabetes?

Diabetes Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of a type 2 diabetic patient is between 77 to 81 years. However, it is not uncommon for diabetics to live past the age of 85, should they be able to maintain good blood sugar levels and lengthen their lifespan.

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What does untreated diabetes feel like?

The symptoms of diabetes include feeling very thirsty, passing more urine than usual, and feeling tired all the time. The symptoms occur because some or all of the glucose stays in your blood and isn't used as fuel for energy. Your body tries to get rid of the excess glucose in your urine.

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What happens if you live with untreated diabetes?

If left untreated, diabetes can lead to devastating complications, such as heart disease, nerve damage, blindness, kidney failure and amputations. And the risk of death for adults with diabetes is 50 percent higher than for adults without diabetes.

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Is type 2 diabetes considered a terminal illness?

Untreated Type 2 diabetes can lead to a range of life-threatening health conditions. Diabetes requires lifelong management.

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Can drinking water lower A1C?

One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

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How high does your A1C have to be to be put on metformin?

Recent guidelines recommend considering use of metformin in patients with prediabetes (fasting plasma glucose 100-125 mg/dL, 2-hr post-load glucose 140-199 mg/dL, or A1C 5.7-6.4%), especially in those who are <60 years old, have a BMI >35 kg/m2, or have a history of gestational diabetes.

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Do I have diabetes if my A1C is 7?

Diagnosing Prediabetes or Diabetes

A normal A1C level is below 5.7%, a level of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes, and a level of 6.5% or more indicates diabetes.

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What is the number one complication of diabetes?

Nerve damage (neuropathy): One of the most common diabetes complications, nerve damage can cause numbness and pain. Nerve damage most often affects the feet and legs but can also affect your digestion, blood vessels, and heart.

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What color is your urine when you have diabetes?

Transparent and lacking in color

Transparent, colorless urine could also be a sign of some other health disorders, including diabetes and kidney disease, or from taking diuretic medication.

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Is diabetes considered a disability?

Is Diabetes a Disability? Yes. People with diabetes of all types are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act as people with disabilities. This includes access to school, public places, the workplace and some benefits such as Social Security and disability insurance.

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Why is it hard to live with diabetes?

When diabetes is not well controlled, the level of sugar in your blood goes up. High blood sugar can cause damage to many parts of your body, including your eyes, heart, feet, nerves, and kidneys. Diabetes can also cause high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries.

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Should I be worried about diabetes?

If you notice any possible diabetes signs or symptoms, contact your doctor. Diabetes is a serious condition, and the earlier it's diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin. With your active participation and the support of your health care team, you can manage diabetes and enjoy an active, healthy life.

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