At this time there is no specific cure for diabetes, but research continues to try to find a way to end this disease, rather than just treating and managing it as is now done. The problem with just treating and controlling diabetes is that it requires constant care, attention, and medications that continue to change over an individual's life. Many people with diabetes are not treated and may be unaware of the condition. This leads to further complications including kidney disease, circulation problems, cardiovascular disease, vision problems, and elevated heart attack and stroke risk. It is estimated that only a third of all diabetics are treated, the other two thirds are not being treated for the condition.



Research continues to focus on curing, preventing and managing diabetes. While there are significant advancements in managing and preventing diabetes, it is public knowledge and education that allows people to understand the symptoms of diabetes and prediabetes, and start prevention programs. Since many people are unaware of the symptoms, they don't use the prevention programs. Many school health programs now offer advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle choices that will reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

In addition to working on prevention and management there is ongoing research to find a cure for diabetes. There are several surgical or medical procedures being tested to cure diabetes, but at this time they are still largely experimental.

Islet cell transplants

Recent advances have been made in the transplantation of islet cells into the body. Islet cells are made up of two types of cells:

* alpha cells, which make glucagon, a hormone that raises the level of glucose in the blood

* beta cells, which make insulin

It is hoped that the production of insulin in the body with this transplant would eliminate the need for daily injections that type 1 diabetes have to do.

The side effects of this transplant include rejection of the cells by the body and reactions to the immunosuppressive drugs. These side effects are very serious and include mouth sores, intestinal disorders, kidney function impairment and increased risk of cancer and other tumors.

Pancreas transplant

This is the full surgical transplant of the complete pancreas. Usually this procedure is only done if the kidneys are being transplanted as well. Again, there are many complications with the procedure, and the side effects of the immunosuppressive drugs may be more dangerous and risky than the continued injection of insulin. There is a fairly high rate of rejection for this procedure, but progress continues to be made.

There is also a process to implant an artificial pancreas, but this is still in the development phase. Many researchers believe that this will prevent rejection problems once the artificial pancreas is perfected.

Genetic manipulation

This cure for diabetes would allow insulin producing cells to be made out of regular cells by inserting the insulin producing gene. This would avoid the need for invasive surgery and would prevent most of the risks associated with surgical procedures.

While at this time there is not a definite cure for diabetes, the research is ongoing. New advances in genetic and medical practices and research will hopefully result in a cure for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the future.