Difference Between Type 1 and 2 Diabetes: Things to Know

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs in the human body when it is unable to produce enough insulin or use the produced insulin effectively. Insulin is a type of hormone responsible for regulating the blood glucose. Diabetes is caused in the human body due to multiple reasons.

Key Highlights

• Diabetes is classified into four broad categories with Type 1 and Type 2 being the most common ones
• Type 1 diabetes is usually found in the early years while Type 2 develops with age and unhealthy lifestyle habits
• Other differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes include prevalence, management, common symptoms, cure, etc.
• Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are both incurable but can be controlled using preventive measures

Types of Diabetes 

Diabetes has many forms and is usually classified into four different categories:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Gestational Diabetes, and
• Impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glycaemia

Out of all the above-mentioned types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2 are the ones that require immediate action and treatment. Even though both conditions are a result of improper insulin levels in the human b​ody, there are glaring differences between Type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Both types have different symptoms and different effects on your body. Hence, it is important to understand the difference between Type 1 and 2 diabetes to take proper precautions for a healthy and safe life.

Also Read - Sugar or jaggery - Which is better?

Type 1 v/s Type 2 Diabetes

Some of the major differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are as follows -

Major Causes of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

The major risk factors and causes of both types of diabetes are discussed below -

Type 1

It is difficult to ascertain the risk factors/causes of type 1 diabetes. However, some of the known factors for Type 1 are:

• Family history (parent/sibling with Type 1 disease)
• Young age (children between ages 4-14 are more likely to get diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes)
  

Also Read - Diabetes on the horizon? Know what to do

Type 2

The various risk factors/causes associated with the Type 2 diabetes are as follows:

• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Lack of exercise
• Intake of excess sugary and processed food
• Higher amounts of triglyceride and blood levels in the body, etc.

Common Symptoms

The primary symptoms of both types of diabetes are as follows:

Type 1 

• Increased appetite
• Unexplained weight loss/inability to gain weight
• Frequent urination
• Genital infections
• Blurry vision
• Fatigue
• Fruity breath, and
• Sleep disorder

Type 2

Even though both type 1 and 2 diabetes have more or less similar symptoms, some of the other primary symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:

• Tingling sensation in hands and feet
• Frequent headaches
• Bleeding gums, and
• Sores/cuts/wounds that do not heal easily

Also Read - Are you a pre-diabetic? Things to know

Prescribed Cure

Type 1 diabetes is considered incurable. However, you can monitor it by following these methods:

• Take regular insulin shots
• Keep a check on your blood sugar levels
• Take more than one insulin shot in a day, if needed
• Keep a check on your sugar intake
• Drugs such as pramlintide help maintain the rising sugar levels in your body
• Follow a healthy lifestyle and inculcate a workout schedule in your life.

Type 2 diabetes is also incurable and can be managed by following these methods:

• Take insulin shots, if required
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle- proper workout and diet
• Oral medications such as-Metformin
  • SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors and anti-glucosidase inhibitors, and
  • Amylin analogs
  • Meglitinides or sulfonylureas

Managing Type 1 and Type Diabetes Efficiently

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and has an overall negative effect on your body. While it is impossible to cure both type 1 and type 2 diabetes completely, you can prevent them from worsening. To do so, maintain a proper diet, workout regularly, and take insulin shots and oral medications.

If complications become severe, you can consult expert medical practitioners and get the right treatment. To cover the treatment costs, consider buying a comprehensive health insurance plan​. The policy will cover your hospital bills and provide financial security. Take your pick from Reliance General Insurance's range of health insurance plans for a secured tomorrow.

FAQs

Q1 - How do I manage my diabetes for a healthy life?

Check your blood sugar levels regularly to track it. If the sugar levels increase, cut down on the consumption of sugary food, exercise regularly and take insulin shots for immediate relief.

Q2 - What is the m​ain difference between diabetes 1 and 2?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that does not let your body secrete sufficient insulin and cannot be controlled. Contrarily, type 2 diabetes is a condition caused by insulin resistance.

Q3 - What is the pr​​escribed treatment for curing type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

There is no specified cure for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The maximum you can do is monitor your health, take the prescribed insulin shots regularly, do regular workouts and cut down the intake of sugar and processed food items.

Q4 - How to diagnose ​​type 1 vs type 2 diabetes?

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed by evaluating the symptoms and performing certain blood tests such as:

• Random blood sugar test
• Fasting blood sugar test
• HbA1C test, and
• Oral glucose tolerance test

Q5 - Which type of dia​betes is more serious?

Type 1 diabetes is considered to be more serious than Type 2 diabetes.