reversing type 2 diabetesOur Tarrant County Podiatrists Support Patients Seeking Diabetes Remission

If you're one of the millions of Americans living with type 2 diabetes, you may wonder if it's possible to control your condition or even reverse it completely. For many patients, it is indeed possible to achieve diabetes remission. However, doing so requires a unique combination of lifestyle changes and ongoing medical support from your primary care physician and a podiatrist with experience treating patients who have diabetes.  

At Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Tarrant County, Texas, our Grapevine and Keller podiatrists work closely with diabetes patients to protect their foot health while they incorporate positive changes into their lives as they work toward the goal of effectively managing their blood sugar. Are you ready to work toward diabetes remission? Below, our knowledgeable podiatrists share what current research indicates about the possibility of reversing type 2 diabetes and why proper diabetic foot care is essential during this journey.

Understanding What Type 2 Diabetes Remission Is

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease, which means that it can’t be cured or reversed. However, that doesn’t mean that patients described with this condition will necessarily always be symptomatic or require medication. In some cases, diabetes remission is a definite possibility. 

According to a joint statement from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the Endocrine Society, and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and Diabetes, diabetes remission occurs when a person who has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes maintains a blood glucose level below the diabetic threshold. To meet this threshold requirement, you must achieve an HbA1c of 6.4% or lower and keep it at or below that level without medication for at least three months.

Recent studies indicate that it is possible for some patients to achieve remission from type 2 diabetes. Achieving this outcome usually requires dedicated lifestyle changes, such as dietary changes, increased activity levels, and/or weight loss, achieved under the supervision of one’s health care providers.  Of course, once remission is achieved, ongoing monitoring is required to watch for signs of recurrence. 

How to Know if You Should Work Toward Diabetes Remission

Diabetes is linked to many negative health outcomes, so it’s natural to be interested in seeking to achieve remission if you have this condition. Even so, this is a decision that you should make in consultation with your primary care physician, as they should oversee your overall diabetes management plan. Your doctor will consider a variety of relevant factors, such as: 

  • How long you've had diabetes

  • Your current blood sugar level

  • Other health conditions you may have

  • Your current medications

  • Your ability to make sustained lifestyle changes

  • Your support system at home

The Role of Your Primary Care Physician

You should never stop taking diabetes medications without your doctor's supervision. Before making changes to your diabetes management plan, it’s important to schedule an appointment with the medical provider who oversees your diabetes treatment to discuss whether working toward remission is appropriate for you and, if so, how you should best proceed. They will:

  • Evaluate if you're a good candidate for remission

  • Create a personalized plan for your situation

  • Help you set realistic goals

  • Monitor your progress and blood sugar levels closely with regular blood tests

  • Determine if and when medication changes are warranted

  • Adjust medication doses gradually, as appropriate, to ensure changes are made safely

  • Watch for any complications

  • Coordinate with other specialists, including your podiatrist

How Your Podiatrist Can Support Your Efforts

While working to reverse diabetes, it's also crucial to protect your feet from complications associated with diabetes. The experienced podiatrists at Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists provide comprehensive diabetic foot care. We can support your journey by providing you with:

  • Regular diabetic foot exams

  • Prompt attention to any foot pain or problems

  • Diagnosis and treatment of any wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, or infections

  • Recommendations for well-fitting diabetic footwear to support your feet properly 

  • Custom orthotics to help relieve your pain and support appropriate physical activity

  • Providing education on proper daily foot care to patients with diabetes

Key Strategies to Achieve Type 2 Diabetes Remission

If your doctor supports working toward remission, they’ll work closely with you to develop an action plan. Key strategies typically included in type 2 diabetes management plans and efforts to achieve remission from this condition often include:

  • Following a healthy meal plan focused on controlling carbohydrates

  • Losing excess weight, especially around the abdomen

  • Managing stress levels

  • Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels

  • Working closely with your primary care doctor and podiatrist 

  • Getting regular physical activity approved by your health care team

The Important Role of Exercise in Diabetes Management 

Physical activity is vital for managing blood sugar, but foot problems can make exercise challenging for diabetics. Your podiatrist can help you manage your foot health so that you’ll be able to get the appropriate exercise you need to make meaningful progress toward your goal of achieving remission from type 2 diabetes. 

Our Tarrant County podiatrists help patients in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex prepare to get the exercise they need to work toward reversing their type 2 diabetes in several ways, including: 

  • Addressing your foot or ankle pain to minimize impact on your mobility

  • Recommending appropriate activities based on the condition of your feet

  • Helping you select proper athletic shoes that fit and support your feet properly

  • Working closely with you to help prevent and treat any exercise-related foot issues

  • Empowering you to stay active safely, even if you have diabetes-related neuropathy

  • Monitoring your foot health during increased activity

Proper Diabetic Foot Care Helps Set the Stage for Remission

At Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists, we're committed to supporting your overall health while protecting your feet. Our experienced podiatrists work alongside your primary care physician and other specialists to provide the comprehensive diabetic foot care you need, no matter where you are in your journey, to help you get your blood sugar level under control and potentially experience diabetes remission. 

Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists for Your Foot and Ankle Health

If you have pain in your feet or ankles, it can negatively impact your life and interfere with your daily routine. You need a compassionate, skilled podiatrist to work with you to determine the cause and provide treatment based on your specific needs. With 30 years of experience, the podiatrists at Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists understand the relationship between your feet and your overall health. Whether your condition requires therapy, orthotics, or surgery, we offer leading-edge medical care to address your unique situation.

We offer patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area safe, effective, and affordable treatment plans. If you’re struggling with a foot or an ankle problem, call us today at 817-481-4000, or fill out our contact form to make an appointment. 

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