What is a significant disadvantage of intensive therapy for diabetes?

The significant disadvantage of intensive therapy for diabetes is primarily associated with the risk of severe hypoglycemia. Intensive therapy typically involves tight glucose management, which often necessitates higher doses of insulin or more frequent use of insulin. While achieving excellent blood glucose control can delay the progression of diabetes-related complications, it also raises the risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia.

When using intensive therapy, patients may struggle to maintain optimal blood glucose levels, leading to episodes of severe hypoglycemia. This can cause symptoms such as confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, and in extreme cases, can be life-threatening. Therefore, managing these risks while attempting to achieve excellent glycemic control is a significant challenge for individuals undergoing intensive therapy.

It’s important to note that while becoming overweight can occur with any form of insulin therapy due to increased calorie consumption or a biological response to insulin, it is not uniquely tied to intensive therapy compared to the critical risk of severe hypoglycemia, which is a more defined and immediate concern for those on a rigorous management plan.