Hi friends!!

Let's take a moment to clarify something that's been confusing for many in the diabetes community: the terms remission and reversal. While they are often used interchangeably, they carry nuances that are important to understand. Misunderstanding these terms can lead to misplaced expectations about what they mean for your health journey.

What Do Remission and Reversal Mean?

At their core, both remission and reversal signify a positive change in your diabetes management.

• Remission means that the disease has stopped progressing and is no longer actively causing problems. Think of it as the disease being "paused."
• Reversal means that not only has the disease progression been stopped, but there is evidence that some of the damage caused by diabetes may be healing.

These differences can seem subtle, but the key is understanding the context in which these terms are used.

For example, consider how the word remission is used in cancer care. If someone’s cancer is in remission, it means the disease is no longer evident or is significantly reduced on diagnostic tests. Similarly, in diabetes, remission means measurable improvements—such as a stabilized A1C, reduced inflammation, or improved cholesterol levels—without ongoing damage to your body.

When people talk about reversing diabetes, they’re often referring to even greater improvements. This might include restoring normal blood sugar levels without medication or seeing physical evidence of healing, like better kidney function or improved nerve health.

Why Neither Reversal Nor Remission Means "Cure"

Here’s where it’s crucial to set expectations: neither remission nor reversal means you are cured.

To understand this better, let’s think about what a cure means.

When you have an acute illness, like a sinus infection or strep throat, you take antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria causing the problem. Once you finish the course of antibiotics, the infection is cured. It’s gone, and you can go back to your normal habits without the infection returning.

Diabetes is different. It’s a chronic disease influenced by habits and lifestyle factors. If the habits that contributed to your diagnosis return—like eating unhealthy foods, being sedentary, or managing high stress poorly—your diabetes can come back, often worse than before.

Let’s look at an example:
You’re diagnosed with insulin resistance, and you make lifestyle changes—cutting out nightly ice cream, replacing chips with healthier snacks, and staying consistent with exercise. Your doctor tells you, “Congratulations, you’ve reversed your diabetes!”

If you go back to those old habits, the disease will return. The diabetes state wasn’t cured; it was managed. Like a fire that’s been put out, the embers are still there. If you throw dry wood on the fire (unhealthy habits), it reignites.

What This Means for You

Living in remission or achieving reversal is an amazing accomplishment—it’s a testament to your hard work and commitment. But maintaining this state requires ongoing dedication.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Consistency is Key: Stick with the healthy eating patterns, regular physical activity, and stress management strategies that helped you achieve remission or reversal.
2. Stay Informed: Keep monitoring your health. Regular check-ups and lab work can alert you to any changes before things get out of hand.
3. Think of It as a Partnership: Work with your healthcare team to create a long-term maintenance plan that fits your lifestyle and goals.
4. Be Vigilant: Understand that lapses can happen. If you slip up, recognize it and get back on track quickly.

Empowerment Through Understanding

Understanding the difference between remission, reversal, and cure is empowering. It helps us celebrate progress without falling into the trap of thinking diabetes is gone forever.

As always, remember that every step you take—no matter how small—is a step toward better health. Whether you’re in remission, aiming for reversal, or simply working to manage your diabetes better, you’re making progress.

You’ve got this, and I’m here to support you every step of the way!

Yours in health,
Coach JJ