Diabetes is a lifestyle disease that affects how our body converts food into energy. The food we consume is usually broken in into glucose which is then released into the bloodstream. Insulin that is released by the pancreas regulates the entry of glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream. For a patient suffering from diabetes, there is inadequate secretion of insulin resulting in various kinds of health issues. Diabetes can be broadly classified into type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be mainly differentiated by the time of their occurrence in a person’s life. Let’s look into these conditions in detail.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that a person is born with. It is a genetic condition that makes a person dependent on insulin right from a young age. In type 1 diabetes a person’s immune system which ideally is supposed to fight harmful alien agents reacts to the body’s healthy cells instead in and weakens itself. While the exact reason for these autoimmune conditions is known, it may happen due to exposure to viral infections or environmental toxins
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes has the same complications as those type 1. The only difference here is that Type 2 diabetes is a result of lifestyle. The body still produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively. Being inactive and obese can also result in developing this condition. Certain environmental factors and genetic history of a person may also cause them to develop type 2 diabetes.
While in type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce insulin, in type 2 diabetes body doesn’t have an adequate insulin supply. Both these conditions can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of Diabetes
There isn’t much difference between the two conditions. Both of them share common Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be detected through the following symptoms.
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision
- Fatigue
- High hunger levels
- More prone to infections
- Having dry skin
On displaying any of these symptoms, visit your nearest multi super speciality hospital. People suffering from type 2 diabetes might not experience symptoms for several years and they develop over some time. Type 2 diabetes patients mostly don’t even discover symptoms till complications come up.
Type 1 diabetes symptoms on the other hand are quite quick to develop and take just weeks to surface. This condition often develops in childhood or adolescence. However, it’s also possible to develop type 1 diabetes later in life.
Life with Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is rare compared to type 2. There is no specific cure for type 1 diabetes and since these patients don’t produce insulin, its regular dose is the only remedy. Type 2 diabetes on the other hand can be managed and even prevented with a proper lifestyle that includes a healthy lifestyle and regular physical activity. Keeping your weight in check is another way of preventing type 2.
Both these conditions can be controlled and patients can lead a normal life with the help of regular medication and following the guidance of specialists.
