Difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

The majority of people are aware that there are two forms of diabetes, but not everyone is aware of their distinctions. Blood sugar levels can become too high in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes due to improper insulin utilisation or lack of insulin production by the body. They differ in their causes and methods of treatment, despite the fact that the issue is practically the same in both cases. 

Table of Contents

1. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
2. Sugar processing in body
3. Cause as a differentiator 
4. Risk Factor as a differentiator
5. Symptom as a differentiator
6. Treatment as a differentiator
7. Cure and prevention as a differentiator
8. Conclusion 
9.  Frequently Asked Questions

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

Different factors contribute to type 1 and type 2 diabetes: The immune system of the body targets the insulin-producing islet cells of the pancreas, preventing the pancreas from producing insulin in people with diabetes type 1.  

Insulin resistance develops in people with type 2 diabetes as a result of the pancreas producing less insulin than usual. 

Sugar processing in body

Understanding the body’s sugar processing is key to understanding diabetes type 1 and type 2.Following are the main components in processing sugar in our body.

• Glucose: Our bodies generate energy from glucose.One of the two sources of sugar is glucose is food and the other is liver.
• Insulin: One hormone that aids in the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream to the cells—which use the sugar for energy—is insulin. Insulin is essential. You cannot use the energy that glucose contains in your blood if insulin is not there.
• Pancreas:  This organ produces the insulin required by your body to absorb and utilize glucose.
• Islet cells: The pancreas uses these cells to produce insulin. 

Cause as a differentiator 

Different factors contribute to type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

• The immune system of the body targets the insulin-producing islet cells of the pancreas, preventing the pancreas from producing insulin in people with diabetes type 1.
• Insulin resistance develops in people with type 2 diabetes as a result of the pancreas producing less insulin than usual. In other words, your body still contains insulin, it just can’t use it.

Considering risk factor as a differentiator

Due to the fact that type 1 diabetes is linked to multiple genes, having a family history of the condition may somewhat increase your risk.Some potential variables that could trigger this autoimmune reaction include:

• Viruses with genetic makeup
• Chemical exposure
• Consuming specific foods

Age, race, family history, having a big waist circumference, and being overweight or obese are risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is mostly caused by insulin resistance, which is linked to excess body fat, even though both types of diabetes have hereditary or genetic components.

Unlike type 1, diabetes type 2 is not an autoimmune condition.It primarily affects those who are genetically inclined to fat and are 45 years of age or younger.

Using symptom as a differentiator

Patients with type 1 diabetes had the following symptoms over the course of a few weeks:

• heightened thirst and hunger
• blurry vision
• fatigue, and sluggishness
• hands and feet numbness
• wounds that heal slowly
• unexplained weight loss

Patients with type 2 diabetes had the following symptoms over the course of a few years:

• heightened thirst and hunger impaired vision
• fatigue and tiredness
• numbness in the hands or feet
• wounds that heal slowly
• unexplained weight loss 

Unlike the abrupt onset of type 1 diabetes, the symptoms of type 2 diabetes may appear gradually and are frequently disregarded. But as time goes on, these symptoms may get worse and cause major side effects like neuropathy, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and limb paralysis. It’s critical to recognize these signs and get medical assistance if you encounter any of them.

Treatment as a differentiator

Insulin is used to treat type 1 diabetes. You try to balance your insulin dosages by keeping track of the amount of carbohydrates you consume and drink.It’s also critical to eat healthily, exercise as much as you can, and get frequent checkups.

Type 2 diabetes, in contrast to type 1 diabetes, can occasionally be managed without the need for insulin or other drugs that lower blood sugar levels. You can control it by getting support to stay as active as possible, maintaining a healthy diet, and scheduling frequent checkups with your doctor.

Cure and prevention as a differentiator

Type 1 diabetes does not currently have a cure, although research is ongoing.Since insulin is not produced by people with type 1 diabetes, it must be taken consistently, and blood sugar levels must be monitored often.

Some people receive injections multiple times a day into soft tissues like their buttocks, arms, or stomach. Insulin pumps are used by others. Insulin pumps use a tiny tube to deliver a constant dose of insulin into the body.

Since blood sugar levels can fluctuate rapidly, testing is a crucial component of managing type 1 diabetes.

With proper nutrition and exercise, type 2 diabetes can be controlled and even prevented, but many individuals require additional assistance. In the event that altering your lifestyle is insufficient, your doctor might recommend drugs that improve the way your body uses insulin.

Another crucial component of managing type 2 diabetes is blood sugar monitoring. 

Your physician might advise more regular or infrequent blood sugar checks. Your doctor can advise insulin injections if your blood sugar is too high.

Conclusion

Diabetes is an illness that is dangerous.Type 1 diabetes cannot currently be prevented, however medications such as insulin can help control symptoms.

Even though there might be a genetic component to both forms of diabetes, leading an active, healthy lifestyle might help lower the risk and control the disease’s progression in type 2 diabetes.

A healthy lifestyle can minimize or completely prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, thus everyone diagnosed with prediabetes should adopt it as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can diabetes type 2 become type 1?

Since type 1 and type 2 diabetes have independent causes, they cannot become mixed. Your pancreas continues to generate insulin if you have type 2 diabetes, but your body’s cells do not react to it well enough to use it effectively.

2. Which is more common: type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

Compared to type 2, type 1 diabetes is less frequent. The condition typically manifests in kids, teenagers, and young adults, however it can strike at any age.

3. Are diabetes cases higher among men?

Diabetes strikes both men and women at a nearly equal rate.As people age, the percentage of those with diabetes rises.

4. Is it possible to prevent diabetes? 

Diabetes type 1 cannot be avoided. However, by adopting lifestyle modifications, you may be able to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.