What’s the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
What’s the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
The fundamental distinction between the two types of diabetes is that type 1 is a hereditary problem that frequently manifests early in life, whereas type 2 is mostly a diet-related disease that develops over time. Your immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas if you have type 1 diabetes.
Understanding The Difference
between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the two most common forms.
Both types of diabetes are long-term illnesses that impact your body’s ability to manage blood sugar, or glucose. Glucose is the fuel that fuels your body’s cells, but it requires a key to enter them. Insulin is the key to success.
Type 1 diabetes is characterised by the absence of insulin production. It’s the equivalent of not having a key.
Type 2 diabetes doesn’t respond to insulin as well as it should, and they often don’t produce enough insulin later in the disease. It’s similar to having a misplaced key.
Chronically elevated blood sugar levels can occur in both kinds of diabetes. Diabetes problems are more likely as a result of this.
According to a new study 1, one in every ten persons over the age of 40 in the UK currently has Type 2 diabetes. According to the new numbers, there are 3.8 million people in the UK who have been diagnosed with diabetes, with 90% of those suffering from Type 2.
What are the signs and
symptoms of diabetes?
What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes, if not treated properly, can cause symptoms such as:
- Urinating frequently
- Feeling very thirsty and drinking a lot
- Feeling very hungry
- Feeling very fatigued
- Having blurry vision
- Having cuts or sores that don’t heal properly
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet are common in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. According to Diabetes UK, good glucose management minimises the incidence of numbness and tingling in people with type 1 diabetes.
Despite the fact that many of the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are identical, they manifest in quite distinct ways.
Many patients with type 2 diabetes don’t show signs or symptoms for years, and their symptoms often progress slowly over time. Some persons with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all and don’t realise they have the disease until it causes difficulties.
Type 1 diabetes symptoms appear quickly, usually over a period of several weeks. This kind of diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, usually develops during childhood or adolescence. It is possible, however, to develop type 1 diabetes later in life.
What Causes
diabetes?
What Causes
diabetes?
Although type 1 and type 2 diabetes have similar names, they are separate diseases with distinct causes.
Causes of type 1 diabetes
The immune system is in charge of defending the body against outside invaders such as dangerous viruses and bacteria.
The immune system misidentifies the body’s own healthy cells as foreign invaders in persons with type 1 diabetes. The pancreas’ insulin-producing beta cells are attacked and destroyed by the immune system. The body is unable to produce insulin after these beta cells are destroyed.
Researchers are baffled as to why the immune system assaults the body’s own cells at times. It could be linked to both genetic and environmental factors, such as virus exposure. The study of autoimmune illnesses is still underway.
Causes of type 2 diabetes
Insulin resistance is a symptom of type 2 diabetes. Although the body continues to manufacture insulin, it is unable to utilise it properly.
Researchers aren’t clear why some people develop insulin resistance while others don’t, but various lifestyle factors, such as inactivity and obesity, may play a role.
Other genetic and environmental variables could be at play. Your pancreas will try to compensate for type 2 diabetes by generating extra insulin. Because your body is unable to utilise insulin adequately, glucose builds up in your bloodstream.
How are type 1 and type 2
diabetes diagnosed?
How are type 1 and type 2 diabetes diagnosed?
The A1C, or glycated haemoglobin, test is the most common way to identify both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The average blood sugar level for the previous 2 to 3 months is determined by this blood test. Your doctor may take a blood sample or prick your finger.
Your A1C level will be greater if your blood sugar levels have been elevated throughout the last few months. The outcomes of the tests are given as a percentage. Diabetes is diagnosed when the A1C level is 6.5 percent or higher.
For persons with sickle cell anaemia or the sickle cell trait, the A1C test isn’t reliable. Your doctor will have to use a different test if you have this ailment or characteristic.
What are the risk factors
for type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
What are the risk factors for type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
The following are some of the risk factors for type 1 diabetes:
- Family History. People who have a parent or sibling who has type 1 diabetes are more likely to develop it themselves.
- Age. Type 1 diabetes can strike anyone at any age, but it is more frequent in children and teenagers.
- Geographically. The prevalence of type 1 diabetes rises as you move farther from the equator.
- Genetics. The presence of specific genes indicates a higher risk of type 1 diabetes.
If you do any of the following, you could acquire type 2 diabetes.
- Have prediabetes or blood sugar levels that are slightly increased
- Obesity or being overweight is a problem that many people face.
- Overweight and have a lot of belly fat
- Are physically inactive
- Are over 45 years old
- Have ever had gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy)?
- Have given birth to a baby who weighs over 9 pounds
- Are you African, Hispanic, Native American, or Alaska Native?
- A member of your immediate family has type 2 diabetes
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
How is type 1 and type 2
diabetes treated?
How is type 1 and type 2 diabetes treated?
Type 1 diabetes has no known cure. Because people with type 1 diabetes do not generate insulin, it must be injected into their bodies on a daily basis.
Several times a day, some patients receive injections into soft tissue, such as the stomach, arm, or buttocks. Insulin pumps are used by others. Insulin pumps use a tiny tube to provide a constant dose of insulin to the body.
Because blood sugar levels can fluctuate rapidly, blood sugar testing is an important element of managing type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can be controlled and even cured with proper diet and exercise, but many patients require additional assistance. Your doctor may prescribe drugs to help your body use insulin more effectively if lifestyle modifications aren’t enough.
Blood sugar monitoring is also an important element of type 2 diabetes care. It’s the only way to know if you’re on track to fulfil your goals.
Your doctor may advise you to test your blood sugar more frequently or less frequently. Your doctor may suggest insulin injections if your blood sugar levels are too high.
What diets are
recommended for diabetics?
What diets are recommended for diabetics?
For persons with diabetes, nutrition is a crucial element of their daily routine.
If you have type 1 diabetes, work with your doctor to figure out how much insulin you’ll need after eating various foods.
Carbohydrates, for example, can quickly raise blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 diabetes. You’ll need to take insulin to counteract this, but you’ll need to know how much to take. Find out more about type 1 diabetes and nutrition.
People with type 2 diabetes should concentrate on eating well. A low-calorie meal plan may be recommended by your doctor as part of your type 2 diabetes treatment plan. This may imply limiting your intake of animal fats and junk food.
Is there a cure for diabetes?
Is there a cure for diabetes?
It is impossible to prevent type 1 diabetes.
However, by making the following lifestyle changes, you may be able to reduce your risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- If you are overweight, work with your doctor to develop a healthy weight-loss plan.
- Raise your amount of physical activity
- Consume a well-balanced diet and limit sugary and overly processed foods
Even if you can’t prevent the condition from occurring, careful monitoring can help you get your blood sugar levels back to normal and avoid significant problems.
