Ask the experts
I have type 1 diabetes and I'm so sick of the injections, the diet, the constant glucose monitoring... What happens if type 1 diabetes is left untreated? Can diabetes go away on its own?
Doctor’s Response
Do not cease treatment of diabetes.
Currently, type 1 diabetes cannot be cured.
Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to a number long-term complications associated with diabetes such as
- diabetic eye disease,
- foot problems,
- neuropathy,
- sexual problems,
- urinary tract infections,
- skin infections,
- yeast infections,
- a higher risk for other infections,
- heart disease, and
- kidney disease.
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes you can prevent complications by maintaining a healthy low blood sugar, eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables, and staying physically active.
Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that people with type 1 diabetes live about 11 years less than average; however, new research also suggests this differential can be reduced with good glycemic control. Most people with type 1 diabetes die from complications of type 1 diabetes such as heart disease or kidney disease. Thus, preventing complications and following a healthy lifestyle that prevents heart disease and controls your blood sugar are the best things people with type 1 diabetes can do to live a long, healthy life.
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