What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a group of chronic conditions that cause blood glucose (blood sugar) levels to become too high. Glucose is an important source of energy, and the hormone insulin helps regulate how glucose moves from the bloodstream into cells. Diabetes develops when the body does not produce enough insulin, cannot use insulin effectively, or both.
The major forms are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Their causes and treatments differ. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, while type 2 diabetes usually involves a combination of insulin resistance and a gradual decline in the pancreas’ ability to produce enough insulin.
Persistently high blood glucose can damage blood vessels and nerves over time, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, vision problems, neuropathy, and foot complications. Acute emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hypoglycemia can also become life-threatening.
Appropriate treatment, glucose management, regular medical care, and healthy lifestyle habits can substantially reduce the risk of many diabetes-related complications. This guide explains the major types of diabetes, common symptoms, diagnostic tests, complications, treatment options, and steps that can help prevent or manage type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes at a glance: types, common symptoms, diagnostic criteria, complications, management, prevention, diabetes technology, and emerging treatments. © 2026 Gilmore Health News.
What is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose. After eating, rising blood glucose stimulates insulin release. Insulin helps glucose move from the bloodstream into many of the body’s cells, where it can be used for energy, and it also helps regulate how the body stores and produces glucose.
In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells, resulting in little or no insulin production. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin and, over time, the pancreas may also become unable to produce enough insulin to maintain blood glucose within a healthy range.
Most insulin used today is manufactured using biotechnology and includes human insulin and insulin analogs designed to act for different lengths of time. Insulin can be given by syringe, insulin pen, or insulin pump, and some people use automated insulin-delivery systems that combine a continuous glucose monitor with an insulin pump.
People with type 1 diabetes need insulin every day because their pancreas produces little or no insulin. Taking too much insulin relative to food intake, physical activity, or current glucose levels can cause hypoglycemia. Severe hypoglycemia can cause confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and other serious complications and requires prompt treatment.
Types of Diabetes and Their Risk Factors
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As beta-cell function declines, the body produces little or no insulin, making daily insulin treatment necessary.
Researchers do not yet fully understand why type 1 diabetes develops. Genetic susceptibility plays an important role, and having a close relative with type 1 diabetes increases risk. Researchers are also studying environmental factors, including certain viral infections, that may contribute to the autoimmune process in genetically susceptible people. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes is not caused by obesity, diet, or lack of physical activity.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It is diagnosed most often in adults, but children and adolescents can also develop the condition.
Type 2 diabetes develops when cells become less responsive to insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance. The pancreas initially tries to compensate by producing more insulin, but over time it may no longer produce enough insulin to maintain blood glucose within a healthy range. Genetics, body weight, physical activity, age, and other metabolic and environmental factors can all influence a person’s risk.
Risk factors associated with Type 2 diabetes
Factors associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes include:
- Having overweight or obesity, particularly excess abdominal fat
- Being physically inactive
- Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
- Increasing age, although type 2 diabetes can occur at any age
- Having prediabetes
- Having a history of gestational diabetes
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Having high blood pressure or certain abnormal blood lipid levels
- Having cardiovascular disease
- Belonging to certain populations that experience higher rates of type 2 diabetes, including African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations
Risk does not depend on any single factor. Genetics, health conditions, social and environmental factors, diet, physical activity, and body composition can all contribute.
Gestational Diabetes and Other Types of Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy in a person who did not already have diabetes. Blood glucose usually returns to a nondiabetic range after pregnancy, but having gestational diabetes increases the mother’s future risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can also develop from other identifiable causes. These include certain genetic conditions that affect insulin production or action, diseases or damage involving the pancreas, and some medications or medical treatments. These forms are less common than type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and treatment depends on the underlying cause.
How Is Gestational Diabetes Managed?
Gestational diabetes is usually managed through blood glucose monitoring, an individualized eating plan, and appropriate physical activity when medically safe. Some people also need insulin or other treatment to keep blood glucose within recommended pregnancy targets.
Blood glucose usually returns to a nondiabetic range after delivery, but follow-up remains important. People who have had gestational diabetes should undergo postpartum glucose testing and continue periodic screening because their lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes is increased.
What Is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes means blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. It is an important warning sign because people with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Prediabetes can be identified using several blood tests. An A1C of 5.7% to 6.4%, fasting plasma glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L), or a 2-hour plasma glucose level of 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 to 11.0 mmol/L) during a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test falls within the prediabetes range.
Prediabetes often causes no obvious symptoms, which is why screening is important for people with appropriate risk factors. Progression to type 2 diabetes is not inevitable. Increased physical activity, nutritious eating patterns, and sustained weight loss when appropriate can substantially reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Some people at particularly high risk may also benefit from medication as part of an individualized prevention plan.
How Are Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Different?
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes differ mainly in their underlying causes, although their symptoms and the ages at which they develop can overlap.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. It can develop during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin treatment.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin and, over time, the pancreas may no longer produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Although it is more common in adults, type 2 diabetes can also occur in children and adolescents.
Doctors therefore cannot reliably distinguish type 1 from type 2 diabetes based on age or symptom severity alone. Medical history, symptoms, blood glucose testing, diabetes-related autoantibodies, and sometimes C-peptide testing can help determine the type when the diagnosis is uncertain.
Treatment also differs. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin. Treatment for type 2 diabetes may include lifestyle changes, non-insulin medications, insulin, or a combination of therapies depending on the person’s glucose levels, other medical conditions, and treatment goals.
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF DIABETES
Diabetes does not always cause noticeable symptoms, particularly in the early stages of type 2 diabetes. When symptoms do occur, they may develop quickly in type 1 diabetes or more gradually in type 2 diabetes.
Common symptoms can include:
- Frequent urination: When blood glucose becomes high enough, excess glucose passes into the urine and draws additional water with it. This can cause a person to urinate more frequently than usual.
- Increased thirst: Frequent urination can lead to fluid loss, which can make a person unusually thirsty.
- Increased hunger: Problems with insulin production or insulin action can interfere with the body’s ability to use glucose normally for energy. Some people consequently experience increased hunger.
- Unexplained weight loss: This is particularly associated with significant insulin deficiency. When the body cannot adequately use glucose for energy, it may increasingly break down stored fat and muscle, resulting in unintended weight loss.
- Fatigue: Diabetes can cause tiredness or weakness as abnormalities in glucose regulation interfere with the body’s normal energy metabolism.
- Blurred vision: High blood glucose can cause temporary changes in the eye that affect focusing and lead to blurred vision. Persistently elevated blood glucose can also damage blood vessels in the retina over time, causing diabetic retinopathy.
- Slow-healing wounds and frequent infections: Diabetes can interfere with circulation, immune function, and wound healing, particularly when blood glucose remains elevated.
- Tingling or numbness: Nerve damage associated with diabetes can cause numbness, tingling, burning, or pain, particularly in the feet and legs. These symptoms are more commonly associated with diabetes that has been present for some time.
Some people first discover they have diabetes after developing a complication or during routine blood testing.
Symptoms such as persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, deep or rapid breathing, severe dehydration, fruity-smelling breath, confusion, or loss of consciousness can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis or another serious medical problem and require urgent medical attention.
Who Should Be Tested for Diabetes?
Because type 2 diabetes and prediabetes can develop without obvious symptoms, screening can identify abnormal blood glucose before complications occur.
In general, diabetes screening is recommended for adults beginning at age 35. Testing may be appropriate earlier in adults with overweight or obesity who also have additional risk factors for diabetes, such as a family history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, polycystic ovary syndrome, or a history of gestational diabetes.
Children and adolescents with overweight or obesity may also need screening when additional risk factors for type 2 diabetes are present.
People experiencing possible symptoms of diabetes—such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, or other signs of hyperglycemia—should seek medical evaluation rather than waiting for routine screening.
Screening recommendations can vary according to pregnancy, medical history, medications, and individual risk factors, so a healthcare professional can determine when and how often testing is appropriate.
Diagnosis
Diabetes is diagnosed primarily with blood tests that measure glucose levels or glycated hemoglobin (A1C). Tests used to diagnose diabetes include fasting plasma glucose, the A1C test, and a 2-hour plasma glucose measurement during an oral glucose tolerance test. A random plasma glucose test can also establish a diagnosis in certain circumstances when classic symptoms of hyperglycemia or a hyperglycemic crisis are present.
Other tests serve different purposes. Diabetes-related autoantibody testing and C-peptide measurement may help doctors determine the type of diabetes when the diagnosis is uncertain. Blood or urine ketone testing may be used when diabetic ketoacidosis is suspected. Urine glucose testing is not generally used as the primary test for diagnosing diabetes.
Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetes
In nonpregnant adults, diabetes can be diagnosed using one of the following laboratory criteria:
- A1C: 6.5% or higher
- Fasting plasma glucose: 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher after at least 8 hours without caloric intake
- 2-hour plasma glucose: 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher during a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
- Random plasma glucose: 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher in a person with classic symptoms of hyperglycemia or a hyperglycemic crisis
In the absence of unequivocal hyperglycemia, an abnormal result generally needs to be confirmed with a second abnormal test. The same test may be repeated, or another recommended diagnostic test may be performed. Different diagnostic criteria apply during pregnancy.
What Is A1C (HbA1c)?
The A1C test measures the percentage of hemoglobin in red blood cells that has glucose attached to it. Because red blood cells circulate for several months, A1C provides an estimate of average blood glucose over approximately the previous 2–3 months.
An A1C below 5.7% is generally considered within the normal range for diagnosing diabetes, 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher meets a diagnostic threshold for diabetes. In the absence of unequivocal hyperglycemia, an abnormal diagnostic result generally requires confirmation. Certain medical conditions can also make A1C results less reliable, so healthcare professionals may use glucose-based testing when appropriate.
Complications of Diabetes
Over time, persistently high blood glucose can damage blood vessels, nerves, and organs throughout the body. Diabetes is associated with both long-term complications, such as cardiovascular and kidney disease, and acute complications that can require immediate treatment. Keeping blood glucose within an individualized target range and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors can help reduce the risk of many of these problems.
- Cardiovascular Disease
People with diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. High blood glucose can contribute to damage within blood vessels, while conditions that commonly occur alongside type 2 diabetes—such as high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels—can further increase cardiovascular risk.
Reducing this risk involves more than controlling blood glucose. Depending on the individual, diabetes care may also include managing blood pressure and cholesterol, avoiding tobacco, maintaining regular physical activity, following a nutritious eating pattern, and using medications that provide cardiovascular benefits when appropriate.
- Diabetic Kidney Disease
Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood. This condition, known as diabetic kidney disease or diabetic nephropathy, may progress slowly and often causes no noticeable symptoms during its early stages.
Healthcare professionals can screen for kidney damage using urine testing for albumin and blood testing to estimate kidney function. Detecting kidney disease early is important because appropriate glucose and blood pressure management, along with certain medications when indicated, can help slow its progression.
Advanced diabetic kidney disease can eventually lead to kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant, although modern treatment can substantially reduce this risk for many people.
- Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage associated with diabetes. It most commonly affects nerves in the feet and legs and may cause numbness, tingling, burning, increased sensitivity, or pain. Some people gradually lose sensation in their feet and may not notice cuts, blisters, or other injuries.
Diabetes can also damage nerves that control internal organs. This form of neuropathy, called autonomic neuropathy, can affect digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, bladder function, and sexual function.
Maintaining appropriate glucose control and addressing other risk factors can help reduce the risk or progression of diabetic neuropathy. People with diabetes should tell their healthcare professional about new numbness, pain, weakness, or changes in sensation.
- Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Eye Problems
Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Early diabetic retinopathy may cause no noticeable symptoms, but more advanced disease can lead to vision loss.
Diabetes also increases the risk of other eye conditions, including diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma.
Because significant retinal damage can develop before a person notices changes in vision, regular comprehensive dilated eye examinations are an important part of diabetes care. Early detection and treatment can help prevent or reduce vision loss.
- Diabetic Foot Problems
Diabetes can increase the risk of foot problems through a combination of nerve damage and impaired circulation. A person who has lost sensation in the feet may not notice a blister, cut, or pressure injury. If circulation is also reduced, wounds may heal more slowly and become infected.
People with diabetes should regularly examine their feet for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, swelling, or other changes and follow their healthcare professional’s recommendations for foot examinations. Properly fitting footwear, avoiding tobacco, and managing glucose and cardiovascular risk factors can also help reduce the likelihood of serious complications.
A foot wound that is infected, worsening, discolored, or not healing requires prompt medical evaluation. Severe infections and tissue damage can sometimes lead to amputation, which is why prevention and early treatment are important.
- Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose falls too low, generally below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). It is most often associated with insulin and certain glucose-lowering medications rather than diabetes itself.
Symptoms can include sweating, shaking, hunger, dizziness, weakness, irritability, confusion, or a rapid heartbeat. Severe hypoglycemia can cause seizures or loss of consciousness and may require assistance from another person.
People taking medications that can cause hypoglycemia should understand how to recognize and treat low blood glucose and should follow an individualized plan provided by their healthcare professional. Severe hypoglycemia is a medical emergency.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious, potentially life-threatening complication caused by a severe lack of effective insulin. Without enough insulin, the body begins breaking down fat rapidly for energy, producing acidic substances called ketones that can accumulate in the blood.
DKA occurs most commonly in people with type 1 diabetes, although it can also occur in people with type 2 diabetes under certain circumstances.
Symptoms may include excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, rapid or deep breathing, fruity-smelling breath, severe fatigue, and confusion. Illness, infection, missed insulin doses, or previously undiagnosed diabetes can trigger DKA.
DKA requires urgent medical treatment, typically involving intravenous fluids, insulin, electrolyte management, and treatment of the underlying trigger.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Some diabetes complications require immediate medical attention. Seek emergency medical care for symptoms such as loss of consciousness, seizures, severe confusion, difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting with high blood glucose or ketones, or other signs of diabetic ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycemia.
People with diabetes should also contact their healthcare professional promptly about infected or nonhealing foot wounds, sudden or significant changes in vision, or other new symptoms that could indicate a diabetes-related complication.
Regular medical follow-up remains one of the most important ways to identify complications early. Recommended monitoring may include blood pressure and cholesterol assessment, kidney testing, eye examinations, foot examinations, and evaluation for neuropathy based on the person’s type of diabetes, age, duration of disease, and individual risk factors.
Treatment and Management of Diabetes
1. Glucose Monitoring: Monitoring blood glucose can help people with diabetes understand how food, physical activity, medications, illness, and other factors affect their glucose levels. Depending on the type of diabetes and treatment being used, monitoring may involve a blood glucose meter, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), A1C testing, or a combination of these methods.
How often glucose should be checked and the appropriate target range vary from person to person. People with diabetes should establish individualized glucose goals and a monitoring plan with their healthcare professional.
2. Nutrition: Nutrition is an important part of diabetes management, but there is no single ideal percentage of carbohydrates, protein, and fat that is appropriate for everyone with diabetes. Eating plans should be individualized according to a person’s glucose goals, medications, other health conditions, food preferences, culture, and weight-management needs.
In general, emphasis should be placed on nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, lean protein sources, and other minimally processed foods while limiting foods and drinks high in added sugars and refined carbohydrates. People who use insulin may also need to coordinate carbohydrate intake with their insulin regimen.
3. Medications for Type 2 Diabetes: Treatment for type 2 diabetes is individualized. The choice of medication depends on factors such as blood glucose levels, risk of hypoglycemia, weight goals, cardiovascular or kidney disease, other health conditions, side effects, cost, and patient preferences.
Several classes of glucose-lowering medications are available. Metformin reduces glucose production by the liver and improves insulin sensitivity. Sulfonylureas and meglitinides stimulate insulin release but can increase the risk of hypoglycemia. DPP-4 inhibitors enhance the activity of incretin hormones involved in glucose regulation.
SGLT2 inhibitors cause the kidneys to excrete more glucose in the urine and can provide important cardiovascular or kidney benefits for certain people. GLP-1 receptor agonists and related incretin-based therapies can substantially lower blood glucose and often promote weight loss. Other treatment options include thiazolidinediones and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.
The most appropriate medication or combination of medications varies from person to person. Treatment decisions should take into account the individual’s overall health and should be made with a qualified healthcare professional.
4. Insulin
Insulin is essential for people with type 1 diabetes because their bodies produce little or no insulin. Some people with type 2 diabetes also need insulin, particularly when other treatments do not provide adequate glucose control or when blood glucose levels are very high. Insulin may also be appropriate in certain situations such as pregnancy, severe illness, hospitalization, or significant symptoms of hyperglycemia.
Insulin treatment must be individualized because taking more insulin than the body needs can cause hypoglycemia, generally defined as blood glucose below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). People who use insulin should receive guidance on glucose monitoring, recognizing and treating hypoglycemia, and safely using their prescribed insulin regimen.
Ongoing Diabetes Care
Managing diabetes involves more than controlling blood glucose. Regular medical care can help identify complications early and address other health conditions that influence long-term risk.
Depending on the type of diabetes and individual health needs, ongoing care may include A1C testing, blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring, kidney function testing, comprehensive eye examinations, foot examinations, and assessment for nerve damage. People taking certain diabetes medications may require additional monitoring based on the treatment being used.
People with diabetes should also discuss recommended vaccinations, dental care, physical activity, nutrition, tobacco use, and cardiovascular risk with their healthcare team.
The frequency and type of monitoring depend on factors such as the type and duration of diabetes, glucose control, medications, pregnancy, age, existing complications, and other medical conditions. Diabetes care should therefore be individualized rather than based on a single schedule for everyone.
Can Diabetes Be Prevented?
The answer depends on the type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and currently cannot generally be prevented through diet, exercise, or other lifestyle changes.
Type 2 diabetes can often be delayed or prevented in people at increased risk. Regular physical activity, nutritious eating patterns, maintaining or achieving a healthy weight when appropriate, avoiding tobacco, and managing cardiovascular risk factors can all support metabolic health. For people with overweight or obesity and prediabetes, sustained weight loss and increased physical activity can significantly reduce the likelihood of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
People with prediabetes or other risk factors should discuss appropriate screening and prevention strategies with a healthcare professional.
Gestational diabetes cannot always be prevented. People planning pregnancy can discuss weight, physical activity, medications, and individual risk factors with their healthcare professional before becoming pregnant.
Is There Hope for a Cure for Diabetes?
There is currently no widely available cure for type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, research is moving beyond simply controlling blood glucose toward treatments that could preserve, restore, or replace insulin-producing cells and make diabetes management less burdensome.
It is important to distinguish a cure from remission. A cure would mean that diabetes has been permanently eliminated without the need for ongoing treatment. Remission, which can occur in some people with type 2 diabetes, means blood glucose remains below the diabetes range without glucose-lowering medication for a sustained period. Diabetes can return after remission, so continued medical follow-up remains important.
Cell Replacement Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
One of the most closely watched areas of type 1 diabetes research involves replacing the insulin-producing beta cells destroyed by the immune system.
Pancreatic islet transplantation has already demonstrated that replacing functioning islet cells can restore insulin production in selected people. In the United States, the FDA has approved donislecel (Lantidra), a donor-derived pancreatic islet cellular therapy, for certain adults with type 1 diabetes who experience repeated severe hypoglycemia despite intensive diabetes management. However, this approach is not a general cure. Donor cells are limited, and recipients generally require immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection.
Researchers are now investigating whether insulin-producing islet cells created from stem cells could provide a more scalable source of replacement cells. In a 2025 clinical study of the investigational stem-cell-derived islet therapy zimislecel, transplanted cells produced insulin in people with type 1 diabetes, and some participants were able to stop using external insulin during the study. These findings provide evidence that stem-cell-derived replacement cells can restore important beta-cell function.
A major challenge remains: the immune system can attack transplanted cells. Current research is therefore exploring methods to protect replacement cells from immune destruction without requiring lifelong systemic immunosuppression.
Can Transplanted Cells Be Protected From the Immune System?
Researchers are investigating several approaches, including encapsulating replacement cells inside protective materials and genetically modifying cells so that they are less likely to be recognized and destroyed by the immune system.
A small 2025 proof-of-concept study reported survival and insulin secretion from genetically modified donor islet cells transplanted into a person with type 1 diabetes without systemic immunosuppressive treatment. This was an early study involving a single participant, so it should not be interpreted as evidence that an immune-evasive cell therapy is ready for routine treatment. However, it demonstrated an important possibility researchers are continuing to investigate.
If scientists can combine a reliable supply of insulin-producing cells with safe protection from immune rejection, cell replacement could eventually become a much more practical treatment for type 1 diabetes.
Can the Immune Attack in Type 1 Diabetes Be Stopped?
Another strategy is to intervene in the autoimmune process itself.
Teplizumab is an immune therapy that has demonstrated that the progression of type 1 diabetes can be modified. It was initially approved to delay progression from stage 2 type 1 diabetes to symptomatic stage 3 disease in certain people at high risk.
In 2026, the FDA granted an additional accelerated approval for teplizumab for certain children and adolescents ages 8 through 17 with recently diagnosed stage 3 type 1 diabetes, with the goal of delaying the decline in their remaining insulin production.
This does not cure type 1 diabetes, but it is significant because it shows that treatment can potentially alter the course of the autoimmune disease rather than only replacing the insulin that has been lost.
Future strategies may ultimately combine immune therapies that control the autoimmune attack with therapies that preserve or replace insulin-producing beta cells.
Could Type 2 Diabetes Ever Be Cured?
Type 2 diabetes presents a different challenge because it involves both insulin resistance and progressive impairment of insulin production.
Some people with type 2 diabetes can already achieve remission, particularly following substantial and sustained weight loss. Remission may occur through intensive lifestyle interventions or, in appropriate patients, metabolic or bariatric surgery. However, remission is not considered the same as a permanent cure because blood glucose can return to the diabetes range, particularly if weight is regained or beta-cell function continues to decline.
Research is therefore focused not only on lowering blood glucose but also on improving weight management, cardiovascular and kidney outcomes, and the underlying metabolic abnormalities associated with type 2 diabetes.
What New Diabetes Medications Are in the Pipeline?
Incretin-based treatment is developing rapidly. GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists have already changed treatment for many people with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Researchers are now studying medications that act on additional metabolic pathways. One example is retatrutide, an investigational medication that activates GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors. Phase 3 studies are evaluating its effects in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. As of 2026, retatrutide remains investigational and has not been approved by the FDA.
Researchers are also investigating additional oral incretin therapies, new combinations of metabolic hormones, longer-acting treatments, and approaches intended to improve glucose control while reducing treatment burden.
Another long-term research goal is glucose-responsive, or “smart,” insulin. The concept is to develop insulin formulations or delivery approaches that respond more closely to changing glucose levels, potentially reducing the risk of both high and low blood glucose. This remains an active area of research rather than an established replacement for today’s insulin therapies.
Is Artificial Intelligence Helping People With Diabetes?
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced algorithms are increasingly being studied and used in diabetes technology, but it is important to distinguish proven automated systems from experimental AI applications.
One of the clearest real-world applications is automated insulin delivery. These systems combine a continuous glucose monitor, insulin pump, and control algorithm. Glucose data are analyzed repeatedly, and insulin delivery is automatically adjusted in response to changing glucose levels.
Automated insulin delivery was initially used primarily for type 1 diabetes, but the technology is expanding. In 2024, the FDA expanded the indication of an automated insulin-dosing system to include adults with type 2 diabetes, demonstrating how automated glucose management is moving into a broader diabetes population.
Researchers are also investigating machine-learning systems that may predict future glucose levels, recognize patterns in continuous glucose-monitoring data, identify people at increased risk of complications, and help personalize treatment recommendations.
Generative AI and large language models are also being studied for potential uses such as patient education, clinical documentation, decision support, and interpretation of complex diabetes data. However, these applications require careful validation. AI systems can make errors, reflect biases in their training data, and produce recommendations that are inappropriate for an individual patient.
AI should therefore be viewed as a tool that may support diabetes care rather than a replacement for healthcare professionals.
What Could Diabetes Treatment Look Like in the Future?
The future of diabetes treatment is likely to involve several technologies working together rather than a single breakthrough.
For type 1 diabetes, an important goal is restoring the body’s ability to produce insulin while preventing the immune system from destroying the replacement cells. Advances in stem-cell-derived islets, gene editing, cell protection, and immune therapy are bringing researchers closer to testing whether this can be achieved safely and durably.
For type 2 diabetes, increasingly effective metabolic medications, improved weight-management strategies, more personalized treatment, and earlier prevention may help more people achieve long-term glucose control or remission while reducing cardiovascular and kidney complications.
At the same time, continuous glucose monitors, automated insulin-delivery systems, predictive algorithms, and other digital technologies are making diabetes management increasingly automated and individualized.
None of these advances means that a universal cure is imminent. However, the direction of research has expanded considerably—from managing high blood glucose to preserving insulin production, replacing lost beta cells, modifying the immune system, improving metabolic health, and reducing the day-to-day burden of living with diabetes.
Final Thoughts
Diabetes is a complex group of conditions, but advances in diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and prevention have made it increasingly possible for people with diabetes to protect their health and live long, active lives. Because type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes have different causes and treatment needs, care should always be individualized.
Managing diabetes involves more than controlling blood glucose. Nutrition, physical activity, appropriate medications, regular monitoring, and screening for complications all play important roles. For people at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, early identification of prediabetes also creates an opportunity to delay or prevent progression in many cases.
There is not yet a widely available cure for diabetes, but research is advancing rapidly. Cell-replacement and immune therapies are being investigated for type 1 diabetes, while newer medications, continuous glucose monitors, automated insulin-delivery systems, and AI-assisted technologies are changing how diabetes is treated and monitored. These developments offer genuine reasons for optimism, but experimental therapies should not be confused with proven treatments or a cure.
If you have symptoms of diabetes or risk factors for the condition, talk with a healthcare professional about appropriate testing. If you already have diabetes, working with your healthcare team to establish individualized treatment goals and staying up to date with recommended monitoring can help reduce the risk of complications and support long-term health.
Diabetes Frequently Asked Questions
Diabetes Basics
What are the first signs of diabetes?
Common symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, and unexplained weight loss. Type 2 diabetes may develop without noticeable symptoms.
Can you have diabetes without knowing it?
Yes. Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes can exist without obvious symptoms, which is why screening is important for people who meet recommended testing criteria.
Is diabetes hereditary?
Genetics influence the risk of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but having a family history does not mean a person will definitely develop diabetes.
Does eating too much sugar cause diabetes?
Eating sugar does not directly cause type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, regularly consuming excess calories and sugar-sweetened beverages can contribute to weight gain, which is one factor associated with type 2 diabetes risk.
Can people who are thin develop type 2 diabetes?
Yes. People at any body weight can develop type 2 diabetes. Genetics, age, body-fat distribution, physical activity, medications, and other health factors also influence risk.
Can children develop diabetes?
Yes. Type 1 diabetes commonly develops during childhood or adolescence but can occur at any age. Children and adolescents can also develop type 2 diabetes.
Can type 1 diabetes develop in adults?
Yes. Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, including adulthood. Age alone cannot reliably distinguish type 1 from type 2 diabetes.
Is type 2 diabetes only caused by lifestyle?
No. Type 2 diabetes develops through a complex interaction of genetics, insulin resistance, beta-cell function, body composition, age, environmental factors, health conditions, and lifestyle.
Why does excess body fat increase the risk of type 2 diabetes?
Having overweight or obesity, particularly excess abdominal fat, is associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Body weight is only one risk factor; genetics, age, physical activity, health conditions, medications, and environmental factors also influence risk.
Can type 2 diabetes become type 1 diabetes?
No. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are different conditions. Some people with type 2 diabetes eventually need insulin, but needing insulin does not mean their condition has changed into type 1 diabetes.
Prediabetes and Diabetes Prevention
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes means blood glucose is higher than normal but not high enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. It increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Can prediabetes be reversed?
Blood glucose can return to the normal range in some people with prediabetes. Regular physical activity, nutritious eating, and sustained weight loss when appropriate can substantially reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
Will everyone with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes?
No. Prediabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, but progression is not inevitable. Lifestyle changes and, for selected people, medication can substantially reduce the risk.
Is type 1 diabetes preventable?
There is currently no established lifestyle strategy that prevents type 1 diabetes. It is an autoimmune disease and is not caused by eating too much sugar, obesity, or lack of exercise.
Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?
Type 2 diabetes can often be delayed or prevented in people at increased risk. Regular physical activity, nutritious eating, and sustained weight loss when appropriate can substantially reduce risk.
Blood Sugar, A1C, and Diabetes Testing
What is a normal blood sugar level?
The answer depends on when glucose is measured and whether the test is being used for diagnosis or diabetes management. For diagnosis, fasting plasma glucose below 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is considered normal.
What blood sugar level indicates diabetes?
Diabetes can be diagnosed with fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher, a 2-hour OGTT result of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher, or an A1C of 6.5% or higher. Random plasma glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher can also establish a diagnosis when classic symptoms or a hyperglycemic crisis are present.
What A1C level indicates diabetes?
An A1C of 6.5% or higher meets a diagnostic threshold for diabetes. An A1C of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes, while below 5.7% is generally considered within the normal diagnostic range.
How is A1C different from daily glucose measurements?
A1C estimates average blood glucose over approximately the previous 2–3 months. Finger-stick testing and continuous glucose monitors provide information about glucose at particular times or throughout the day.
Is A1C always accurate?
No. Certain conditions affecting red blood cells or hemoglobin can make A1C less reliable. Pregnancy, anemia, recent blood loss or transfusion, some hemoglobin variants, and other medical factors may affect interpretation.
How often should A1C be tested?
The appropriate frequency depends on the person’s diabetes treatment and whether glucose goals are being met. Testing may be more frequent when treatment is changing or glucose is not within the individual’s target range.
Can diabetes be diagnosed with a urine test?
Urine glucose testing alone is not generally used to diagnose diabetes. Diagnosis is primarily based on laboratory blood tests such as A1C, fasting plasma glucose, an oral glucose tolerance test, or, in appropriate circumstances, random plasma glucose.
When should someone be tested for diabetes?
Routine screening is generally recommended beginning at age 35, with earlier testing for certain people who have overweight or obesity plus additional risk factors. Testing is also appropriate when symptoms of diabetes are present.
Blood Glucose Monitoring and Diabetes Technology
How often should someone with diabetes check their blood sugar?
There is no single schedule for everyone. Monitoring frequency depends on the type of diabetes, medications, insulin regimen, use of continuous glucose monitoring, glucose control, and individual treatment goals.
What is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)?
A CGM is a wearable device that measures glucose in the fluid beneath the skin throughout the day and night. It can display current glucose levels, trends, and alerts for high or low glucose.
What is an automated insulin-delivery system?
An automated insulin-delivery system combines a continuous glucose monitor, insulin pump, and control algorithm that automatically adjusts insulin delivery based on glucose data.
Are insulin pumps better than injections?
Not for everyone. Insulin pumps can provide flexible and precise insulin delivery, while automated insulin-delivery systems can adjust insulin using continuous glucose-monitor data. The best method depends on individual medical needs and preferences.
Is AI being used in diabetes care?
Yes. Algorithms are already used in automated insulin-delivery systems. Researchers are also studying AI for glucose prediction, risk assessment, decision support, pattern recognition, and more personalized diabetes care.
Insulin and Diabetes Medications
Does everyone with diabetes need insulin?
No. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin, while many people with type 2 diabetes can be treated initially with lifestyle measures and non-insulin medications. Some people with type 2 diabetes eventually need insulin.
Why do some people with type 2 diabetes need insulin?
Type 2 diabetes can progress as the pancreas becomes less able to produce enough insulin. Some people therefore need insulin in addition to, or instead of, other glucose-lowering medications.
Can you stop insulin once you start taking it?
People with type 1 diabetes cannot safely stop insulin. In type 2 diabetes, insulin may sometimes be temporary depending on why it was prescribed and how the person’s condition changes. Insulin should not be stopped without medical guidance.
Why do some diabetes medications affect body weight?
Different diabetes medications have different effects on weight. Insulin and sulfonylureas may contribute to weight gain in some people, while GLP-1 receptor agonists and related incretin therapies can promote weight loss.
Can diabetes medications protect the heart or kidneys?
Some diabetes medications provide benefits beyond lowering blood glucose. Certain SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists can reduce cardiovascular or kidney risks in appropriately selected people with type 2 diabetes.
Can herbs or supplements replace insulin or diabetes medication?
No supplement should replace prescribed insulin. Evidence for meaningful benefits from diabetes supplements is inconsistent, and some products can cause side effects or interact with medications.
Diet, Exercise, and Everyday Management
What should someone with diabetes eat?
There is no single “diabetes diet.” Eating plans should be individualized but generally emphasize vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, lean protein sources, and other nutrient-dense foods while limiting added sugars and highly refined foods.
Can people with diabetes eat carbohydrates?
Yes. People with diabetes do not necessarily need to eliminate carbohydrates. The amount, type, and timing of carbohydrate intake can affect blood glucose and may need to be coordinated with medications or insulin.
Can people with diabetes eat fruit?
Yes. Whole fruit can be part of a healthy eating pattern for people with diabetes. Portion size and total carbohydrate intake may need to be considered within an individualized eating plan.
Is exercise good for diabetes?
Yes. Regular physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular health, fitness, and glucose management. Exercise recommendations may need to be individualized for people using insulin or living with certain complications.
What are the benefits of exercise beyond weight loss?
Physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity, glucose management, cardiovascular health, fitness, and overall well-being even when it does not result in significant weight loss.
Can stress raise blood sugar?
Yes. Physical or emotional stress can cause hormonal changes that may increase blood glucose. Illness, surgery, poor sleep, and psychological stress can all affect glucose management.
Can illness raise blood sugar?
Yes. Illness and infection can increase stress hormones that raise blood glucose. People with diabetes should have a sick-day plan covering glucose and ketone monitoring, medications, hydration, and when to seek medical help.
Diabetes Symptoms and Effects on the Body
Can diabetes cause tiredness?
Yes. High or low blood glucose can contribute to fatigue, although tiredness has many other possible causes.
Can diabetes cause frequent urination at night?
Yes. When blood glucose becomes sufficiently elevated, excess glucose enters the urine and draws additional water with it, which can increase urination during both the day and night.
Does diabetes cause weight loss or weight gain?
Diabetes can be associated with either. Unexplained weight loss can occur with significant insulin deficiency, while weight gain has many possible causes and can also occur with some diabetes treatments.
Can diabetes affect sexual function?
Yes. Diabetes can contribute to erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, and other sexual problems through effects on nerves, blood vessels, hormones, and overall health.
Can diabetes affect mental health?
Yes. Living with diabetes can contribute to diabetes distress, anxiety, and depression, while mental health difficulties can also make diabetes management more challenging.
Can diabetes affect teeth and gums?
Yes. Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of periodontal disease, particularly when blood glucose is poorly controlled. Regular dental care and good oral hygiene are important.
Diabetes Complications
What is diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage associated with diabetes. It can cause numbness, tingling, burning, or pain, particularly in the feet and legs, and may also affect nerves controlling internal organs.
Can diabetes damage nerves even without symptoms?
Yes. Diabetic neuropathy may develop gradually, and some people have nerve damage without initially noticing obvious symptoms.
Does diabetes affect the kidneys?
Yes. Diabetes can damage the kidneys’ filtering system and is a major cause of chronic kidney disease. Early kidney damage may cause no symptoms, making recommended blood and urine testing important.
How can diabetes affect vision?
Diabetes can cause diabetic retinopathy and increase the risk of diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. Regular recommended eye examinations can help detect problems before significant vision loss occurs.
Can diabetes cause blindness?
Diabetes can cause eye diseases that may lead to severe vision loss. Early detection and appropriate treatment can substantially reduce the risk.
Why are foot problems common in diabetes?
Diabetes can damage nerves and impair circulation. Injuries may therefore go unnoticed, while reduced blood flow and other factors can make wounds harder to heal.
Can diabetic foot ulcers be prevented?
Many diabetic foot ulcers can be prevented or detected early through regular foot checks, properly fitting footwear, professional foot examinations, diabetes management, and avoiding tobacco.
Can diabetes affect the heart?
Yes. Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
Can diabetes cause high blood pressure?
Diabetes and high blood pressure commonly occur together, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes. Having both conditions increases cardiovascular and kidney risk.
Diabetes Emergencies
What is dangerously low blood sugar?
Blood glucose below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is considered hypoglycemia. A level below 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) is clinically significant, while severe hypoglycemia involving seizures, unconsciousness, confusion, or the need for assistance is an emergency.
What is dangerously high blood sugar?
There is no single glucose value that defines an emergency for every person. Very high glucose accompanied by vomiting, dehydration, difficulty breathing, confusion, significant ketones, or other severe symptoms requires urgent medical evaluation.
How does diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) develop?
DKA develops when the body does not have enough effective insulin and begins rapidly breaking down fat, producing ketones that make the blood dangerously acidic. DKA is a medical emergency.
What is hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)?
HHS is a life-threatening diabetes emergency involving extremely high blood glucose and severe dehydration, usually with little or no significant ketoacidosis. It occurs most often in people with type 2 diabetes.
What is the difference between DKA and HHS?
Both are serious hyperglycemic emergencies. DKA involves significant ketone production and metabolic acidosis, while HHS typically involves more extreme hyperglycemia and dehydration with little or no significant ketoacidosis.
Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy
Can diabetes affect pregnancy?
Yes. Both preexisting diabetes and diabetes that develops during pregnancy require careful management because elevated blood glucose can increase pregnancy-related risks.
Does gestational diabetes go away after pregnancy?
Blood glucose often returns to the nondiabetic range after delivery, but people who have had gestational diabetes remain at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and need recommended follow-up screening.
Can gestational diabetes affect a child’s long-term health?
Children born after pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes may have a higher risk of obesity and metabolic problems later in life. Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors also influence these outcomes.
Diabetes Remission, Cure, and Future Treatments
Can type 2 diabetes go into remission?
Yes. Some people with type 2 diabetes can achieve remission, particularly after substantial and sustained weight loss. Diabetes can return, so remission is not considered a permanent cure.
Is diabetes curable?
There is currently no widely available cure for type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes can achieve remission, while experimental treatments are being investigated for type 1 diabetes.
What is the difference between diabetes remission and a cure?
Remission means blood glucose remains below the diabetes range without glucose-lowering medication for a sustained period. A cure would mean the underlying disease has been permanently eliminated.
Are new treatments being developed for type 1 diabetes?
Yes. Researchers are studying stem-cell-derived islet replacement, immune therapies, immune-evasive cells, improved automated insulin-delivery systems, and other approaches. Some results are promising, but there is not yet a widely available cure.
Could stem cells cure type 1 diabetes?
Stem-cell-derived insulin-producing cells are an important area of research and have produced encouraging results in clinical studies. Major challenges remain, particularly protecting replacement cells from immune attack without burdensome long-term immunosuppression.
Can AI cure diabetes?
No. AI does not cure diabetes. AI-related technologies may help automate insulin delivery, analyze glucose patterns, predict glucose changes, and support treatment decisions.
Living With Diabetes
What happens if diabetes is left untreated?
Untreated or inadequately controlled diabetes can damage blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, eyes, and other organs. Severe hyperglycemia can also result in life-threatening emergencies.
Which doctor treats diabetes?
Primary care clinicians manage diabetes for many people. Endocrinologists specialize in hormonal and metabolic disorders, including diabetes, and may become involved when diabetes is complex or difficult to manage.
Can people with diabetes live a long life?
Yes. Many people with diabetes live long, active lives. Appropriate glucose management, cardiovascular risk reduction, recommended screening, healthy lifestyle habits, and treatment of complications can substantially improve long-term health.
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