Diabetes is a chronic disease that is associated with uncharacteristically high levels of glucose in the blood. Absence or inadequate production of insulin (produced by the pancreas) that lowers blood sugar level causes diabetes. Diabetes may also caused by the body’s incapability to utilize the produced insulin.
Diabetes can cause obesity and hypertension. It reduces the level of HDL or good cholesterol in the blood and elevates the production of triglycerides which are harmful to one’s health. Moreover, it can instigate a long line of generations of diabetes patients in a family. If you feel that you have pre-diabetes or that you are showing diabetes symptoms early signs, you should consult a doctor immediately.
There are two widely known diabetes types:
– Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes
– Type 2 diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes
The comparison between type 1 and type two diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes:
For people with Type 1 have their pancreas affected and can’t produce insulin.
Causes:
The body’s immune system which is responsible for fighting off foreign microbes, like harmful viruses and bacteria malfunctions in this type. For people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakes the body’s healthy cells for foreign particles. The immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas which are responsible for producing insulin. Once these beta cells are damaged, the body is incapable of produce insulin.
Researchers still have not concluded why the immune system attacks the body’s cells. It can be assumed for now that it has something to do with genetic and environmental factors, like exposure to viruses.
Risk factors for type 1 diabetes:
- Family history: Heredity plays a vital role in this type. If your parent or siblings have type 1 diabetes you have a higher risk of developing it.
- Age: Age is a factor in this type. Type 1 diabetes can appear no matter what one’s age is, but it’s most common among children and adolescents.
- Geography: It has been proved that the prevalence of type 1 diabetes increases the farther away you are from the equator.
- Genetics: The existence of some genes leads to an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented.
Type 2 diabetes:
People with Type 2 diabetes stop responding to insulin as well as they should. In advanced stages, they even stop producing insulin.
Causes:
People with type 2 diabetes develop insulin resistance. The body still produces insulin, but it is not able to use it effectively. Even though researchers are not sure why some people develop insulin resistance while others don’t, but they are of the opinion that several lifestyle factors may contribute to this condition, including excess weight and long periods of inactivity.
Other genetic and environmental conditions may also contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes. When you develop type 2 diabetes, your pancreas will try to compensate by producing more insulin none of which can be used by the body. Because your body is unable to efficiently use insulin, glucose will gather in your bloodstream and elevate your blood sugar level.
Problems that type-2 diabetes may lead to:
- Cardiac diseases
- Stroke
- Neuropathy
- Limb problems
- Kidney problem (may require dialysis)
- Eye problems or permanent loss of vision
- Sexual problems in all genders
What can lead to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
- having prediabetes (slightly elevated blood sugar levels)
- being overweight or obese
- having a close family member with type 2 diabetes
- being over age 45
- being physically inactive
- having ever had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
- having given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
- being African-American, Hispanic or Latino American, American Indian, or Alaska Native
- having a polycystic ovarian syndrome
- having a lot of belly fat
Other symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:
- Weight loss
- Skin problems
- Hypertension
- Vaginal infections
- Unexplained mood swings
- Vomiting and nausea
- Fruity-smelling breath
It is important to identify these signs and consult a doctor for early diagnosis and treatment. A healthy lifestyle and controlling of blood glucose level can make a huge difference and reduce the chances of any risks associated with diabetes. However, indifference and lack of treatment can be harmful and in a few cases life-threatening.
Type 1 Diabetes vs Type 2 Diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes:
- The symptoms for type 1 appear more quickly.
- We don’t currently know what causes type 1 diabetes.
- Type 1 is controlled by taking insulin to manage your blood sugar
- At present, there is no treatment for type 1 but study continues.
Type 2 diabetes:
- Type 2 symptoms can be easier to miss because they appear more slowly.
- We know some things can put you at risk of having type 2 like weight and ethnicity
- You can control type 2 diabetes in multiple ways than possible in type 1. These include through medication, exercise and diet. People with type 2 can also be prescribed insulin.
- Type 2 cannot be cured but there is evidence to say in many cases it can be prevented and put into remission.
Early indications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes:
- Frequent urination: When the glucose levels are high in your blood, the kidney tries to remove the excess by filtering it which results in urination.
- Increased level of thirst: While frequent urination helps in removing excess sugar from the blood it can also cause water loss.
- Increased hunger: In diabetic cases, a sufficient amount of glucose does not move to the cell. Therefore, the patient does not receive enough energy from the food that they eat.
- The feeling of fatigue: Diabetes can have an adverse effect on the patient’s energy level causing them to feel extremely tired after small amounts of work.
- Slow healing of wounds: Slow healing of cuts is a common symptom of diabetes. The high sugar level in blood can reduce the body’s capability to heal wounds and cuts speedily.
- Numbness or pain in arms and feet: The excess amounts of glucose in the bloodstream can damage the nerves and blood vessels which in turn affect the blood circulation.
Conclusion:
In this article, we talked about the type 1 and type 2 diabetes differences and similarities. Diabetes may not be preventable but maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can definitely improve the condition.