What does brittle mean in diabetes?

Brittle diabetes is also known as unstable diabetes or labile diabetes, meaning that blood sugar swings can be severe and frequent. This version is rare and happens mainly to people with Type 1 diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider about management methods, possibly including special equipment.

Can brittle diabetes be reversed?

At least half of those diagnosed with brittle diabetes can be reverted to a “stable type 1 condition,” he insists.

Is brittle diabetes always type 1?

It’s also called “labile” diabetes. The words brittle and labile can both mean “unstable” or “easily changed.” When you have brittle diabetes, your blood glucose levels often swing from very low (hypoglycemic) to very high (hyperglycemic). It’s almost always associated with type 1 diabetes.

Can a Type 2 diabetic become brittle?

Brittle diabetes occurs rarely in people with type 2 diabetes. Some doctors classify it as a complication of diabetes, while others consider it a subtype of type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by blood sugar levels that fluctuate between high and low (hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia).

Can a Type 2 diabetic be a brittle diabetic?

How long can a brittle diabetic live?

Age at death ranged from 27 to 45 years. Of the 10 survivors, none remained brittle, but they had a substantial burden of complications. Compared with the non-brittle control group, there was a significant excess of nephropathy and autonomic neuropathy.

Is brittle diabetes fatal?

Brittle diabetes itself isn’t fatal, and in most cases you and your doctor can manage it successfully. However, severe changes in blood sugar can lead to hospitalization because of the risk of diabetic coma. Also, over time, this condition can lead to other complications, such as: thyroid disease.

What is brittle diabetes and how can it be treated?

What is brittle diabetes? Brittle diabetes is diabetes that’s especially difficult to manage and often disrupts everyday life. People with brittle diabetes have severe swings in blood glucose (blood sugar). The swings can cause frequent episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

What are the long term effects of brittle diabetes?

If blood sugar is not managed well, the outlook for people with brittle diabetes is poor, involving: Complications, such as problems with the eyes, kidneys, heart and nerves. Frequent hospitalizations. Low quality of life. Problems with pregnancy.

Is brittle diabetes self-perpetuating or self-permanent?

Psychosocial factors are very important and factitious brittleness may lead to a self-perpetuating condition. The assessment of brittle diabetes requires quantification of the variability of blood glucose levels.

Can You Live a normal life with brittle diabetes?

With treatment and lifestyle changes, most people with diabetes can live healthy lives. But people with brittle diabetes have frequent problems managing the disease that can: Affect their ability to live life normally. Cause anxiety and depression. Lead to hospitalization or even death. How common is brittle diabetes?