There are two main types of diabetes — type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Each has its unique set of causes, symptoms, and treatments, but they are often confused.
Understanding the difference between both conditions can be confusing. However, doing so is essential to help you better understand your condition and help you manage it efficiently.
At Optimum Endocrine Care in Calumet Heights, Chicago, and Munster, Indiana, Dr. Nidal Hasan and his team are committed to providing people living with diabetes with sustainable and effective treatment options.
Here, he breaks down the differences between both conditions and the treatment strategies used to manage them.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes glucose. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter your cells, or cannot use insulin effectively.
This leads to high blood sugar levels, which can cause various health issues if left untreated.
Also known as insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes is a condition that mistakenly causes your body’s immune system to destroy insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.
With this form of the condition, your body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. This is the most common form of diabetes. 90%-95% of people with diabetes have this form of the condition.
Although the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be pretty similar, there are several differences. For starters, both types may cause the following symptoms.
However, symptoms of type 1 diabetes often come on rapidly, while the symptoms of type 2 diabetes may develop gradually over time and can be more subtle.
People with type 1 Diabetes may also experience unexplained weight loss and a sudden, severe illness known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes require different treatment approaches, although some strategies may overlap.
Because people with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin, they require daily insulin injections or an insulin pump to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Frequent blood sugar testing is also essential to ensure that insulin dosages are adjusted correctly to prevent low or high blood sugar.
Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress can help improve blood sugar control and overall well-being.
The first line of treatment for type 2 diabetes typically involves adopting a healthy diet, exercising more regularly, and losing excess weight if necessary.
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, we may prescribe oral medications that help regulate your blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity or increasing insulin production.
In some cases, people with type 2 diabetes may require insulin injections or an insulin pump to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, especially if their condition deteriorates.
Regardless of the type of diabetes you have, regular check-ups with Dr. Nidal Hasan are essential to managing your condition and preventing complications.
Understanding the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is crucial to make informed health decisions. While both types share similarities, they have distinct causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches.
If you are living with diabetes, get compassionate and expert care from us by booking an appointment today or calling 219-732-2231.
