Diabetes is a disorder in which a person experiences a surge of blood sugar, which, in the long term, can lead to organ and tissue damage. Often referred to as diabetes mellitus, this disease is characterized by uncomfortable symptoms such as frequent urination, increased thirst, blurred vision, and wounds that take a long time to heal. Diabetes is also expensive to treat. This has prompted people to look for alternative treatments for diabetes that are just as good as available medications.

There are two common types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, where the body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, happens when the body’s cells no longer respond to changes in insulin levels. There are alternative treatments for diabetes of either type.

Aside from alternative treatments for diabetes, patients are cautioned to follow their doctors’ orders and go by the traditional insulin route, along with a strict diet. Because diabetes has no known cure, any alternative treatments for diabetes are designed as palliative care; that is, they ease the symptoms and keep the body from accumulating dangerous levels of glucose.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method that involves inserting needles into specific points on a patient’s skin. This supposedly redirects the body’s energy field, so that the body heals itself; scientists believe that acupuncture can prompt the body to release its own painkillers. There are also stress reduction methods, such as biofeedback, where patients with diabetes are taught to relax, which might allow their diabetes to be less painful.

Also included in alternative treatments for diabetes are dietary supplements, such as chromium, ginseng, magnesium, vanadium, co-enzyme Q10, garlic, and omega-3 fatty acids. For more information, talk to your doctor about alternative therapies that might be suitable for your diabetes case.