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Diabetes impacts millions globally, with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes representing the most common forms. While Type 1 is caused by an autoimmune reaction, Type 2 is often linked to lifestyle factors like obesity and inactivity. Proper management is critical to avoiding serious health complications.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. In 2021, 537 million adults aged 20–79, or 1 in 10, were living with diabetes.
Normally, your body breaks down food into glucose (sugar), which enters your bloodstream. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps glucose get into your cells to be used as energy.
When you have diabetes, this process doesn’t work properly. Either your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does make effectively. This leads to high blood sugar levels, which can cause serious health problems over time, such as heart disease, kidney damage, and vision loss.
There are several types of diabetes, but the two most common are Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it.
In adults, Type 1 diabetes makes up about 5-10% of all diagnosed diabetes cases, while Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90-95%.
Other types include:
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can cause increased thirst and frequent urination due to excess glucose in the blood, leading to dehydration.
Fatigue is common in both types, as the body struggles to use glucose for energy, whether due to a lack of insulin or insulin resistance.
High blood sugar can also cause blurred vision by affecting the shape of the eye's lens.
Additionally, both types impair wound healing and increase the risk of infections due to damage to blood vessels and nerves.
Just 3 simple steps to efficiently understand and manage your health symptoms online.
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes have genetic components, with a family history increasing the risk of developing either type, though different genes are involved.
The immune system plays a role in both types; in Type 1, it's more direct with autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells, while in Type 2, autoimmune processes can contribute, especially in LADA.
Environmental factors like viral infections can trigger Type 1, while lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity are more significant in Type 2, though they can also impact Type 1.
Diagnosing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes typically involves similar blood glucose tests to measure blood glucose levels.
Common diagnostic tests include the Fasting Blood Glucose Test, which measures blood sugar after you haven't eaten for at least eight hours, and the A1C Test, which provides an average of your blood glucose levels over the past two to three months.
In addition to the standard blood glucose tests, diagnosing Type 1 diabetes often involves:
Diagnosing Type 2 diabetes may also involve:
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes require regular blood sugar monitoring to manage the condition and prevent complications.
A healthy diet, focusing on controlling carbohydrates and maintaining a consistent meal schedule, is essential for both types.
Regular physical activity is also recommended to improve insulin sensitivity and control blood sugar levels.
Insulin therapy is central to Type 1 diabetes but may be used in Type 2 if other treatments are insufficient.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to produce insulin. Therefore, daily insulin injections or an insulin pump are necessary for survival. Type 1 diabetes usually requires immediate and lifelong treatment upon diagnosis to manage blood glucose levels and prevent complications.
Type 2 diabetes is often initially managed with oral medications that help the body use insulin more effectively or stimulate insulin production. These are typically the first line of treatment before insulin therapy is considered. In many cases, Type 2 diabetes can be managed with lifestyle changes alone, particularly in the early stages.
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