An Overview of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects an estimated 37 million people in the United States alone. This number has been steadily increasing, and it is more important than ever that we engage in conversation and educate ourselves on the current diabetes epidemic. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood. In honor of World Diabetes Day, we will be promoting a better understanding of the disease by discussing the key differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that develops over time and is primarily related to lifestyle factors. Many patients are diagnosed as prediabetic before they fully develop type 2 diabetes. Unlike with type 1 diabetes, a sedentary, inactive lifestyle, high blood pressure, and a poor diet significantly impact your risk of developing the condition. In type 2 diabetes, the body still produces a small amount of insulin, but it cannot be appropriately utilized since blood sugar levels are so high. In time, this can lead to severe damage to the body’s organs, including heart disease, stroke, and in some cases, death. With proper and timely intervention, type 2 diabetes can be prevented, and the effects of the disease reversed.
Out of all diabetes cases, Type 1 only makes up an estimated 5 to 10 percent. Type 1 diabetes is an incurable disease where the body is unable to produce any insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops producing insulin since the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that make the hormone. Unlike type 2 diabetes, Type 1 is not related to one’s lifestyle and diet. Instead, it is the result of genetic and environmental factors that trigger the disease. People living with type 1 diabetes must manage their glucose intake and ensure they are closely monitoring their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes cases have increased at an alarming rate over the past few decades. It is essential to raise awareness and further public knowledge of the causes and pervasiveness of this disease. In Diabetes treatment, symptom tracking can have a substantial impact on both the prevention and management of your condition. If you are prediabetic, monitoring your vitals, nutrition, sleep, and physical activity can allow you to stay on top of your health and minimize the risk of your condition escalating. In addition, monitoring your medications and treatment routes while managing type 1 or type 2 can allow you to make necessary adjustments and take control of your health journey.