Diabetes affects over 422 million people globally. But this disease is not as simple as it looks; it is divided into two categories, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Let’s talk about the differences between these two diseases.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Years ago, type 1 diabetes was referred to as juvenile diabetes because it affected people from a young age, many may have been born with the disease. Today, it is simply referred to as “type 1 diabetes”. It is categorized as a chronic condition needs a continuous follow-up with Endocrinology doctors where the pancreas is not able to produce insulin in the body to convert the sugars present in the bloodstream into energy.

Although it is prevalent in young children and adolescents, type 1 diabetes can develop in adults.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes can manifest in a few ways, one of the most common being an increase in thirst and blurred vision. Increased thirst can lead to frequent urination as well. In children, type 1 diabetes can cause bed wetting.

Other symptoms of type 1 diabetes include extreme hunger, irritability, lethargy, and weakness. An unintended side effect of diabetes can also be weight loss. If left untreated, type 1 diabetes can cause thyroid disease.

Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is insulin-dependent and requires the introduction of insulin into the body via syringe. Together with a healthy lifestyle that includes lots of exercise and a strict diet, type 1 diabetes can be controlled and the patient can have a long life expectancy.

A healthy diet includes less sugar, oil, and carbohydrate ingestion and a wide range of fruits and vegetables included with meals.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes was once called adult-onset diabetes and referred to the fact that it was usually developed in adults. However, today, more children are also being diagnosed with this disease, most likely because of the rise in childhood obesity. Type 2 diabetes is also a chronic disease that causes the body to resist the effects of insulin produced by the pancreas. Like type 1 diabetes, there is no cure.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has many of the same symptoms as type 1 diabetes including increased thirst, frequent urination, and hunger. However, other symptoms include slow-healing sores, frequent infections, and darkening skin.

Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes

Treatment for type 2 diabetes includes a regimen for prevention. This includes exercise and an active lifestyle. It’s important to limit sedentary bouts. If your work revolves around sitting at a desk, make sure to get up at least once every 30 minutes to move your legs and body around.

A healthy diet is also in order. Choose foods that are high in fiber, low in calories and fat and include whole grains. If you are overweight for your age and height, losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help to prevent diabetes.

The Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Generally, while they may seem to be the same, type 1 diabetes is the inability of the body to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is when the body does not react the way it’s supposed to for insulin being produced by the pancreas.