What is diabetes?
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over 38 million people in the United States have diabetes. The most common types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes —do you know the differences between them? Let’s explore the differences, causes and treatments for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
When we eat, our bodies convert the food we consume into a sugar called glucose. In response, the pancreas produces a hormone, called insulin, that delivers the glucose to our cells to give us energy. When you have diabetes, this process gets disrupted, and your blood sugar gets too high. There are two main types of diabetes — type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Do you know the difference between them?
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is when your body is no longer able to produce insulin. It’s usually diagnosed during childhood, but it can develop at any age. It’s speculated that there is a genetic component to the disease because having a family history of type 1 diabetes increases your risk for developing it. Because of this, screening for type 1 diabetes is recommended for those with a close family member who has type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune response where your immune system malfunctions and attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Once the cells are destroyed, your body can no longer produce insulin.
When diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you will be diagnosed as stage 1, 2 or 3. In stages 1 and 2 of type 1 diabetes, you may not require insulin yet. Once you are considered stage 3 of type 1 diabetes, you are considered insulin-dependent and need to take insulin to treat it. Type 1 diabetes is not preventable. However, there is an FDA-approved medication called Teplizumab that can help delay the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes.
What are the symptoms?
Type 1 diabetes symptoms can come on suddenly and may include:
- Bedwetting
- Blurry vision
- Frequent urination
- Increased appetite and/or thirst
- Mood changes, irritability
- Tiredness and weakness
- Unexplained weight loss
How is it treated?
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections every day to survive.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is when your body still produces insulin but doesn’t make enough of it or doesn’t use it efficiently. It’s the most common form of diabetes and can develop at any age. Most commonly, it’s diagnosed in adults over 45. Doctors are not sure what exactly causes type 2 diabetes. However, age, family history, weight, and inactivity play a major role.
You may have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you:
- Are 45 or older
- Are overweight and/or inactive
- Are African American, Hispanic, American Indian or Asian American
- Have a family history of diabetes
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high “bad” cholesterol (LDL) or high triglycerides, and low “good” cholesterol (HDL)
- Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Have depression
- Had gestational diabetes or delivered a baby that weighed 9 pounds or more
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and exercise can go a long way in preventing type 2 diabetes. Most people can control type 2 diabetes with a combination of healthy eating, exercise and medication. Some people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes do need insulin injections, but not all.
What are the symptoms?
Type 2 diabetes symptoms may not show up right away and may include:
- Blurry vision
- Dark patches on armpits and neck (sign of insulin resistance)
- Frequent urination
- Increased appetite and/or thirst
- Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
- Tiredness and weakness
- Unexplained weight loss
Do you have more questions? Schedule an appointment with a doctor today.
