Although Type-2 diabetes is more prevalent, most people either don’t know about Type-1 diabetes or they might face some confusions between type-1 and type-2 diabetes. Both types of diabetes indeed come with a few similarities; however, their risks and management are entirely different.
Aside from Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes, there are two other types – gestational and MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young). However, when you are delving into the subject and learning more about the difference between type-1 and type-2 diabetes, you must start from the basics.
Statistics suggest that around 8% of the population struggles with Type-1 diabetes, while the prevalence of Type-2 diabetes is about 90%. Although the types come with their fair share of dissimilarities, you need to understand that both of them are equally damaging to the body if not managed properly.
We will be discussing everything there is to know about the two primary types of diabetes and their risks.
What are the Causes of Type of Diabetes?
The primary difference between type-1 and type-2 diabetes stems from its causes. The details are given below:
Type-1 Diabetes
This type of diabetes is an auto-immune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakes the healthy insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas as foreign invaders and attacks them. Since the viable beta cells are damaged, it becomes difficult for the pancreas to secrete insulin, leading to heightened blood glucose levels.
Type-2 Diabetes
Unlike type-1 diabetes, type-2 is caused due to lifestyle choices and sometimes due to genetic predisposition. People with type-2 diabetes develop insulin resistance in the body, which means that the body fails to use the secreted insulin effectively to manage the blood glucose levels.
A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are two of the primary contributing factors behind this type of diabetes. In this, since the body develops insulin resistance, the pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin, which isn’t effectively utilized, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.
What are the common symptoms of Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes?
If left undiagnosed or without any guided treatment, both Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes can showcase symptoms like:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Feeling excessive hunger
- Tiredness and lethargy
- Blurry vision
- Delayed healing of the wound
- Irritability and mood swings
- Unintentional weight loss (in type-1 or both cases)
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
Although the symptoms are indeed reasonably similar, they sometimes present differently in the patients. While type-1 diabetes treatment is often quicker due to its early diagnosis, type-2 diabetes treatment can be delayed. People with type-2 often don’t realize the problem and get a late diagnosis when the complications worsen.
Are the Risk Factors involved in Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes?
While the researchers and diabetes doctors are still working to find the exact causes behind the two types of diabetes, they have come up with a few risk factors worth considering.
Type-1 Diabetes
The first type is an auto-immune disease, which means that your lifestyle choices (good or bad) have no role in this condition. It is either often diagnosed in children, or it is diagnosed in individuals above the age of 40.
Type-2 Diabetes
With type-2 diabetes, there are many more risk factors involved, primarily depending on your lifestyle and heredity. Some of the primary ones include:
- Family’s medical history
- Ethnic background
- Age
- Overweight or obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
Unlike type-1 diabetes, where the patient needs to take insulin shots to maintain their blood glucose levels, type-2 diabetes’ risks are manageable with proper medication, a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Type-2 diabetes is also becoming a lot more prevalent in younger people and even in South Asian individuals above 25.
How are Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes diagnosed?
If you are presenting with any of the above symptoms, it is always best for you to consult a doctor with years of experience in the field. Keep in mind that the type-1 vs. type-2 diabetes symptoms will be a lot similar, so you need to get thorough testing done in accordance with the type of diabetes you have.
Primarily, an A1C blood test, otherwise known as glycated hemoglobin test, is done to check the patient’s blood glucose levels over the last three months. The blood is drawn using a small finger prick, and then the samples are sent in for testing.
Generally, an A1C level of over 6.5 indicates that the patient has diabetes and needs immediate intervention for a healthier life ahead. However, if you suffer from sickle cell anaemia, your doctor will prescribe a different test for diagnosis.
Aside from A1C testing, there are a few other diagnostic tests that can help as well:
- Fasting plasma glucose test
- Oral glucose tolerance test
- Random plasma glucose test
Depending on the results, the patient is either diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Also, if you are above the age of 45 and have allied risk factors, it is always advised to get a diabetic screening every 3-6 months.
What are the Treatment and Prevention methods for Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes?
To answer, “Which is worse – Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes?” depends on the kind of treatment one is getting. While some people feel that one is better than the other, you need to realize that both conditions are highly traumatizing to the patients and impose limitations on their lifestyle choices.
That said, getting proper treatment is key to a healthier and normal life and here’s what is done.
Type-1 Diabetes Treatment
Although there isn’t any possible cure for the disease, a few assistive medical interventions can help manage the condition’s progression and aid the patient in leading an everyday life. Some of these include:
- Gene therapy
- Regenerative medicines
- Pancreatic islet transplantation
Aside from these interventions, patients with type-1 diabetes also get daily insulin injections, or insulin pumps to help keep their blood glucose levels normal. Drugs like Pramlintide have been found beneficial in preventing the rise in blood glucose levels.
The doctor also suggests undergoing systemic health screening with a healthier and active lifestyle in the future to prevent further risks of cardiovascular diseases. Also, people with type-1 diabetes are advised to maintain their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Type-2 Diabetes Treatment
Much like type-1 diabetes, even type-2 diabetes doesn’t have a solid cure, but the symptoms can be managed with necessary medications, lifestyle and dietary changes. Most patients have prescribed medications formulated with metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, DP-4 inhibitors, Meglitinides or sulfonylureas, etc.
Aside from medications and insulin therapy, patients with type-2 diabetes need to bring immediate changes to their lifestyle choices and diet. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and quitting smoking are crucial steps towards a healthy life. If your condition is extremely severe, you can wear a medical ID disclosing all the essential details to get help in unfortunate situations.
Can Anyone Have Both Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes?
Although people don’t live with both types of diabetes, there is a condition called “double diabetes”. This is often an unwanted side effect of type-1 diabetes treatment.
Since type-1 diabetes treatment leads to eventual weight gain, it can lead to insulin resistance, causing the symptoms of type-2 diabetes. However, the condition is treatable with immediate medical outlook to prevent future cardiovascular diseases and other complications.
Take Away
If you have been looking to find more about the difference between type-1 and type-2 diabetes, we hope this article gives you all the necessary information that you need. If you are experiencing any viable symptoms, consult a doctor immediately to get the proper medical intervention to lead a normal life without restrictions and complications.
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