Most people in the modern world have been suffering from diabetes. The health conditions sometimes attack patients silently. It has mainly two categories: diabetes type 1 and type 2. Sometimes people get confused between them. Although both type 1 and type 2 have some common stuff in common, there are also differences like what causes them, the damage they do and how to regulate them. So, the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 is vital to know. Scroll down the upcoming passage to identify them.
Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Both types of diabetes are chronic health conditions that hamper the way your body controls glucose or blood sugar. The body needs glucose, the fuel. But to enter the cells, your body needs a key. Insulin is the key. Here is a brief discussion of the main differences between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
People suffering from this diabetes don’t produce insulin as it attacks your pancreas. The symptoms appear in the case quickly. This disease is managed by taking insulin to control your blood sugar. There is no cure for this disease.
Type 2 diabetes
Patients suffering from type 2 diabetes do not respond to insulin or the made insulin cannot work properly. Some factors like weight and ethnicity cause this condition. The symptoms appear slowly. Patients can manage it through exercise, diet. It can be restricted and put into remission if not cured.
The symptoms of diabetes: Know here
- Both types of diabetes share common symptoms. Those are
- Going to the toilet often especially at night
- Feeling tired than usual
- Genital thrush or itching
- Wounds and cuts take more time to heal
- Blurred vision
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling hungry
People suffering from type 1 diabetes experience mood swings and irritability. In type 2, people experience numbness and tingling in their feet or hand.
Although similar symptoms are there, type 2 is present in different ways. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop slowly or sometimes may not appear. They can have latent for up to 10 years without knowing.
Reasons for diabetes type 1 and type 2
To differentiate between the types, it becomes vital to know the reasons. Those are:
Causes of type 1 diabetes
The body’s immune system fights against injurious bacteria and viruses. The system targets healthy cells for foreign invaders for a mistake. The insulin-producing beta cells get attacked and destroyed, so insulin is not produced.
Causes of type 2 diabetes
The body produces insulin despite insulin resistance. The body cannot use it effectively; glucose will accumulate in your bloodstream. Several factors such as excess body weight, unrestrained lifestyle, genetic and environmental issues are behind type 2 diabetes.
Risk factors for both types of diabetes
- Risk factors associated with type 1 include
- It can appear at any age, but children and adolescents are the worst targets.
- People who have their parents or sibling with this diabetes are at a higher risk.
- Some genes point at the increased risk of this diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes renders the below risk factors:
- Obese or overweight people
- Inactive or lazy people
- People who have elevated blood sugar levels
- Family history with type 2 diabetes
- Diabetes during pregnancy
How can both types of diabetes be diagnosed?
For both types of diabetes, the primary test is glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This test determines the average blood sugar level for the last two or three months. Your A1C level will be there if you have higher blood sugar levels. The A1C level of 6.5 or more refers to diabetes.
How to prevent type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes maintenance and treatment is important as it helps to avoid serious health hazards.
For diabetes type 1, patients need insulin to control blood sugar levels. Checking the blood sugar level is important. Also, count the carbs you are taking. Regular exercise healthy balanced diet is mandatory. There is no cure for this diabetes.
For type 2, physical activity and diet are helpful. These contribute to the dangers of health issues. Additionally, medicine is also recommended to treat diabetes.
Both types of diabetes can be avoided and controlled if people follow a healthy lifestyle. Diabetes invites certain health problems with them. So, it will be wise to lead a healthy living.
