Millions of people struggle with diabetes. There are two different types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. If you were recently diagnosed with this medical condition, it’s crucial to understand how the two types compare and recognize their differences.
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that develops early in life. Like other autoimmune disorders, it occurs due to the immune system mistakenly seeing normal cells in the body as being foreign and attacking them. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the cells responsible for producing insulin are attacked.
Insulin is a protein that helps sugar in the body be converted into energy. When there’s a problem such as a type 1 diabetes, the person is left with inadequate amounts of glucose, which throws off the blood sugar levels.
Individuals with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin to regulate their blood sugar levels. In addition, tandem Diabetes can provide this essential medication to help those dealing with the disease.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Like type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes causes a person to have an imbalance in their blood sugar levels. However, type 2 is much more common than type 1. It isn’t an autoimmune disease but is believed to develop due to various factors such as obesity, genetics, physical inactivity and age.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, individuals with type 2 still produce insulin, but their bodies cannot respond sufficiently. This can result in an imbalance of glucose levels, but blood sugar levels aren’t as fast to rise as in the case of type 1.
Type 2 diabetes can lead to complications due to inadequate blood sugar levels. Sadly, many people don’t realize they have the condition until it adversely affects a part of the body such as the kidneys, eyes or nerves. The symptoms of diabetes type 2 in adults can include excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and increased hunger.
Treatment in the form of insulin is necessary for many people. Some can naturally regulate their glucose levels through alternative means. For some people, making notable lifestyle changes such as modifying their diet and incorporating exercise into their daily routine can help.
What are the Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
There are specific differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. For example, type 1 usually is first diagnosed in people when they’re children or in young adulthood. By contrast, type 2 diabetes is typically diagnosed in adults.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder caused by normal, healthy cells being attacked by the body’s immune system. Type 2 diabetes is not an autoimmune disease. Its cause is also largely unknown, but it’s believed that a combination of factors such as being overweight or obese, being physically inactive, age and genetics contribute to its development.
Treatment for the two different types of diabetes is also different. Type 1 diabetes requires insulin because the body cannot produce it naturally. Type 2 diabetes can be treated with a combination of methods, including medication, insulin, a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Both forms of diabetes can be kept under control with the correct methods. You can manage your condition and live a quality life