There are two types of diabetes namely type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Both of these types of diabetes are chronic diseases. They affect the way our body responds to blood sugar or glucose level. Glucose is the fuel that helps to feed the cells of our body but to enter the cells at the time of the need creates all differences. If you are going through any underlying disease of any of these kinds of chronic diseases, you can consider consulting the doctors of the Be Well hospital Poonamallee. They are trained, certified, and are experts in their field of specialty. They provide all-around solutions to your in response to your underlying symptoms of any disease.
- People with diabetes do not produce insulin. Insulin is the key that helps glucose to enter the cells. Without insulin, the glucose level remains there in the bloodstream.
- People with diabetes 2 do not respond to the presence of insulin and also later in the disease, the pancreas does not make enough insulin. The key factor of the production of insulin remains broken.
- Both of these types of insulin lead to chronically high blood sugar levels. These factors increase the risk and complications.
What are the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
If the disease is not manageable, it can lead to the following symptoms:
- urinating frequently
- feeling very thirsty
- having the feeling of hungriness
- fatigued
- developing blurry vision
- having cuts, wounds, or sores that do not heal with time and you may require to take the help of medications
People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes may also have other underlying symptoms like getting irritated, mood swings, and unintentional weight loss. They may also experience numbness and tingling in their feet or hands. Good glucose management often reduces the numbness and tingling effect for someone with type 1 diabetes.
Although the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar, they may vary significantly in many different ways. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not show any symptoms for many years. The changes to the body may take slowly or have no symptoms at all until complications arise.
On the other hand, the symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop quickly over several weeks. It may also start early in childhood or adolescence. There are also chances of developing type 1 diabetes later in life.
What causes diabetes type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may have similar names but they differ in unique cases.
Causes of type 1 diabetes
In a normal case, the body’s immune system is responsible for fighting off foreign objects or invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. In people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakes the body’s healthy cells as the foreign cells. The immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells. Once the beta cells are destroyed, the body becomes unable to produce insulin.
It is still under research why the immune system attacks the body’s cells. They have discovered that it may be something that already exists in the genetic and environmental factors.
Causes of type 2 diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes are resistant to insulin. The body produces insulin but it is unable to effectively use it. Researchers are not sure whether or not lifestyle factors or environmental factors affect this capacity of the body. Inactivity and carrying excess weight may contribute to type 2 diabetes.
In this case, other genetic and environmental factors also play a role. When you develop type 2 diabetes, the body’s pancreas compensates by producing enough insulin in the body. But because the body is unable to have the effective use of insulin, glucose may accumulate in the bloodstream and it thereby enhances the blood sugar level.
What are the risk factors for type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:
- Family history: People with any history of developing diabetes in the family may be at risk.
- Age: Type 1 diabetes can develop at any stage of childhood or adolescents.
- Geography: The farther you are from the equator, the more are the chances of developing Type 1 diabetes.
- Genetics: The presence of certain genes increases the risk factor of developing Type 1 diabetes.
Risk factors of developing Type 2 diabetes:
- prediabetes, or slightly elevated blood sugar levels
- Obesity or are carrying excess weight
- have a lot of belly fat
- are physically inactive
- over age 45
- gestational diabetes means diabetes during pregnancy can also increase the chances of developing it later in life
- have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds or more than 4 kg
- Having any family history of type 2 diabetes
- Underlying symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Nutrition management is important for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If you are going through any underlying symptoms of these diseases, you consult an expert. They will inform you how much insulin you may inject after eating a certain type of food or diet. For example, carbohydrates quickly increase the blood sugar level. You may be required to counteract this by taking insulin. You may require to focus on healthy eating. Weight loss is often the part of type 2 diabetes. So recommend your doctor if you want to have a low-calorie meal plan.