Diabetes is so common you likely know someone who has it. Its a part of American life when 30.3 million Americans have diabetes. That breaks down to nearly 1 in 10 people who are managing the disease.

Because of the prevalence of diabetes, its important to have some knowledge of the disease. In fact, there are millions of people who are prediabetic or already suffering from the disease and dont yet have a diagnosis.

Diabetes has two main forms, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. What is thedifference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Read on to learn about the disease of diabetes and its different types.

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes is technically one disease, although some consider the two types of different diseases. Your body has an immune system. This system is working to fight off things like bacteria and viruses to keep it healthy.

In a person who has type 1 diabetes, the immune system works in overdrive. It attacks some of the healthy cells in the body. These cells are the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Once the body does this to its own cells, it cant make insulin.

Insulin is an important hormone in the body. Insulin helps the body manage sugar, preventing it from getting too high or too low.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a little bit different. In type 2, the body becomes resistant to insulin. The body makes it, but the insulin cant do what its intended to do.

This makes the pancreas think theres not insulin and it makes more. When the body doesnt use the insulin the glucose will build up in the bloodstream.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that can be managed. More on that later. But if the disease is not managed there are several symptoms that indicate your body is having a problem. Here are some general symptoms that show for both types of diabetes:

Not all diabetes sufferers will feel all the symptoms but these are the most common ones. They all connect back to how the body is managing or NOT managing the sugar and insulin.

Type 1 and type 2 might share some common symptoms but they present in different ways.

Type 1

Type 1 symptoms typically develop quickly. They show up suddenly and with many of them at the same time. Type 1 diabetes used to be referred to as juvenile diabetes because it more commonly shows up in children or adolescents.

In type 1 patients, in addition to the above symptoms, they often become moody or irritable. They might have sudden weight loss too.

Type 2

Type 2 diabetes patients develop their symptoms slowly. Many will already be diabetic for a while before the symptoms develop. Type 2 diabetes patients also will experience numbness and tingling in their hands and feet as a symptom too.

Risk Factors

There are some risk factors associated with diabetes. Type 1 diabetes cant be prevented. Type 2 diabetes can be avoided even if you have the risk factors by making some changes in lifestyle.

Lets take a closer look at some of the risk factors for both types.

Type 1

A person is at a higher risk for type 1 diabetes if they have a family history of type 1 diabetes. So, if they have a parent and or a sibling who already has the disease and develops symptoms, they should see a doctor right away.

As already mentioned, type 1 diabetes is most common in children and adolescents but it can develop at any age.

A study of genetics shows there are certain genes that make a person have an increased risk to develop type 1 diabetes. Its interesting to note that the further you live from the equator, the higher the prevalence of type 1 diabetes cases.

Type 2

Type 2 diabetes can be avoided. There are some risk factors to be aware of. If you are or have:

If you have ever given birth to a baby that is 9 pounds or more you also have a higher risk factor to develop type 2 diabetes. Also, if you have been pregnant and had gestational diabetes, you are at a higher risk.

You can lower your risk factors to develop type 2 diabetes by doing several things. These include:

People who eat a healthy and balanced diet with lower sugar intake and regular physical activity can reduce their chances of getting type 2 diabetes even if they carry some of the other potential risk factors.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you are showing symptoms of diabetes, you should see your primary care physician. The doctor will order a test calledtheglycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This test will look at your blood sugar levels for the last two to three months. If levels are consistently high, they know there is an issue.

As already stated, living a healthy lifestyle with a smart diet and physical activity will be part of managing diabetes.

Diabetes managementis required for type 1 patients. They dont make their own insulin, so it is necessary to get the insulin injected into their body. Some patients do injections several times a day. While other type 1 diabetics choose to wear an insulin pump that helps to provide it throughout the course of a day.

Type 2 patients are different. With the right diet and exercise regimen, they can actually control and reverse their diabetes. For some patients, diet and exercise are not enough and medications are needed as additional support.

Regular testing of blood sugar levels is a must as a diabetic. Blood sugar spikes or drastic drops can be life-threatening, so regular testing of the blood will be a part of any diagnosis.

Understanding the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease but it can be managed with care and knowledge. Understanding thedifference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is an important part of understanding the disease.

For more important health-related articles like this one, be sure to visit our blog often.

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What is the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes? - - VENTS Magazine

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