Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how the body processes blood sugar (glucose). With proper management and care, many diabetics go on to live long, fulfilling lives. However, diabetes does reduce average life expectancy by up to 10 years if left uncontrolled. The key is gaining control over blood sugar levels through medication, diet, exercise and regular medical care. By following their treatment plan, being aware of complications, and making healthy lifestyle choices, diabetics can still expect to enjoy decades of life.
What is the life expectancy for diabetics?
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), diabetes reduces average life expectancy by up to 10 years. However, this depends greatly on the individual and how well their diabetes is managed. With proper control of blood sugar levels, diabetics may have a near-normal life expectancy.
Some key factors that affect life expectancy for diabetics include:
- Type of diabetes – Type 1 diabetics generally have a shorter life expectancy if diagnosed at a young age.
- Age of diagnosis – Being diagnosed younger in life means living more years with uncontrolled blood sugars which lead to complications.
- Blood sugar control – Consistently high blood glucose levels increase the risk of diabetic complications.
- Other health conditions – Diabetes complications like heart disease and stroke may reduce life span.
- Access to care – Regular medical care helps diabetics manage their condition.
- Lifestyle factors – Smoking, obesity, poor diet make complications more likely.
With diligent management, type 2 diabetics may enjoy life expectancy close to the average person’s. Type 1 diabetics face greater challenges but can still live long productive lives by closely monitoring their health.
What complications affect life expectancy?
High blood sugar levels over many years lead to macrovascular complications (related to large blood vessels) and microvascular complications (related to small blood vessels). These issues increase the risk of other life-threatening health problems and may reduce life expectancy for diabetics.
Major macrovascular complications include:
- Heart disease – Fatty material collects along artery walls and causes atherosclerosis, increasing heart attack and stroke risk.
- Stroke – Blood flow in the brain is blocked due to atherosclerosis or blood clots.
- Peripheral vascular disease – Reduced blood flow to limbs, especially the legs and feet.
Microvascular complications involve damage to small blood vessels and include:
- Kidney disease (nephropathy) – Kidneys have many tiny blood vessels that are damaged over time. This can lead to kidney failure.
- Eye damage (retinopathy) – Tiny blood vessels in the retina of the eye are damaged. Can cause blindness.
- Nerve damage (neuropathy) – Nerves throughout body are damaged causing pain, numbness and weakness.
These vascular complications increase mortality risk for diabetics. However, proper blood sugar control can prevent or delay many of these issues. Regular medical care is key for early diagnosis and treatment.
What steps can diabetics take to improve life expectancy?
While diabetes does reduce average life expectancy, there are many steps diabetics can take to manage their condition and live a long, high-quality life:
- Monitor blood sugar levels – Test regularly and keep levels in target range based on doctor’s advice.
- Take all prescribed medications – Oral meds, insulin injections as directed to control blood sugars.
- Follow a healthy eating plan – Eat nutrient-dense whole foods, limit carbs and sugars.
- Stay active – Get regular exercise to help control weight and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Don’t smoke – Smoking worsens complications and is especially risky for diabetics.
- Manage stress – Chronic stress raises blood sugar levels, so practice relaxation techniques.
- Get regular medical care – See primary doctor and endocrinologist several times per year.
- Treat complications early – Promptly get treatment for issues like neuropathy or retinopathy.
- Visit dentist regularly – Control gum disease which complicates diabetes management.
- Examine feet daily – Catch foot injuries right away to prevent infection.
With diligence and self-care, many diabetics go on to live active lives into their 70s, 80s or even 90s. While life expectancy is reduced, it does not mean diabetics cannot live long, fulfilling lives.
What is the life expectancy for Type 1 diabetics?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the pancreas no longer produces insulin. It accounts for around 5-10% of diabetes cases and often begins in childhood or young adulthood. Without proper treatment, type 1 diabetes is life-threatening.
Some key points about life expectancy for type 1 diabetics:
- Average life expectancy is reduced by up to 15 years if diagnosed before age 10.
- Good blood sugar control from early on helps preserve life expectancy.
- Advances in insulin types, delivery methods and glucose monitoring improve longevity.
- Death rate is up to 4 times higher for young type 1 diabetics compared to the general population.
- Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death for type 1 diabetics.
However, with dedication to treatment and healthy living, many type 1 diabetics enjoy long lifespans with close to normal longevity. The prognosis depends greatly on the individual.
Improving life expectancy with type 1 diabetes
To help maximize longevity, type 1 diabetics should:
- Begin insulin therapy immediately and monitor blood sugar levels diligently.
- Work closely with an endocrinologist and healthcare team.
- Maintain hemoglobin A1C levels below 7% – lower if possible without frequent hypoglycemia.
- Prevent episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis which are life-threatening.
- Adopt healthy lifestyle habits regarding diet, exercise, weight management.
- Take all prescribed medications and treat complications promptly.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake.
- Manage stress levels since chronic stress elevates blood glucose.
The prognosis for type 1 diabetics is always challenging. But with medical advances and dedicated self-care, normal or near-normal life expectancy is possible.
What is the life expectancy for Type 2 diabetics?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition affecting how the body processes insulin. It accounts for 90-95% of diabetes cases and usually begins in adulthood. Obesity, poor diet and inactivity increase the risk for type 2 diabetes.
For type 2 diabetics, average life expectancy is reduced by up to 10 years. However, longevity has improved in recent decades due to:
- Earlier screening and diagnosis – Allows treatment to begin sooner.
- Better treatment options – Range of medications and insulin delivery methods.
- Improved monitoring technology – Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps.
- Less smoking and healthier living – Decline in smoking rates and improved lifestyle habits.
- Control of cardiovascular risk factors – Treating high cholesterol, blood pressure.
With proper management, type 2 diabetics can come close to reaching normal life expectancy. But complications become more likely the longer blood sugars are uncontrolled. Addressing diabetes early on is key.
Maximizing longevity with type 2 diabetes
Steps type 2 diabetics should take to improve life expectancy include:
- Begin treatment and lifestyle changes immediately upon diagnosis.
- Work to reach and maintain hemoglobin A1C level under 7%.
- Take medications as prescribed – Insulin if needed to reach A1C target.
- Monitor blood sugar levels routinely and treat highs or lows promptly.
- Follow eating plan advised by healthcare provider – Low carbs, healthy fats.
- Exercise regularly – At least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Limit or avoid alcohol which can interfere with blood sugar control.
- Make necessary lifestyle adjustments – Sufficient sleep, stress management.
- Get regular medical care to monitor for complications.
- Take steps to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors.
With early and dedicated management, type 2 diabetics can enjoy lifespans nearly as long as their non-diabetic peers.
What is the life expectancy for prediabetes and diabetes by age?
Prediabetes means blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet classified as diabetes. Without lifestyle changes to improve insulin sensitivity, many prediabetics eventually develop type 2 diabetes.
Below is an overview of how life expectancy for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes may differ among age groups with proper management of the disease:
| Age Group | Prediabetes | Type 2 Diabetes |
| 20 – 39 years | Minimal reduction in life expectancy if prediabetes reversed through lifestyle changes. | Up to 10 years reduction in life expectancy. |
| 40 – 59 years | No significant reduction in life expectancy if prediabetes is reversed. | Up to 7 years reduction in life expectancy. |
| 60 years and older | No substantial reduction in life expectancy. | Up to 5 years reduction in life expectancy. |
The younger diabetes occurs, the more years are spent living with damage from uncontrolled blood sugars. Early diagnosis and treatment in adulthood provides a better prognosis. With advances in medical care and diabetes management, life expectancy continues to improve across age groups.
What recent improvements have helped diabetic life expectancy?
Thanks to major medical advances in recent decades, the prognosis for diabetics is steadily improving. Some key developments helping boost life expectancy include:
- Insulin analogs – Modified insulin molecules that are absorbed quickly or slowly as needed.
- Insulin pumps – Devices that deliver adjustable insulin throughout the day.
- Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) – Provide constant tracking of blood sugar levels.
- Improved screening – Allows diabetes to be caught and treated earlier.
- Kidney dialysis – Provides life-saving treatment for end-stage renal disease.
- Angiogenesis therapy – Promotes new blood vessel growth to heal wounds.
- Retinal laser surgery – Prevents blindness from diabetic retinopathy.
- Telemedicine – Remote care and monitoring of blood sugar data.
Ongoing research is focused on creating an artificial pancreas to produce insulin automatically, islet cell transplantation and new medications to improve insulin action. With continuing innovation in technology and diabetes care, life expectancy is likely to keep improving.
Conclusion
While diabetes does reduce average lifespan, the prognosis for diabetics has improved substantially in recent decades thanks to advances in treatment and early intervention. With diligent management of blood sugar levels, routine medical care, healthy lifestyle habits and prompt treatment of any complications, many diabetics live active lives well into old age.
A diabetes diagnosis is not as limiting to life expectancy as it once was. By partnering closely with your healthcare team and making self-care a priority, it’s possible to live a long, high-quality life with diabetes.