Understanding the Basics of Type I and Type II Diabetes

Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. It is released from the pancreas in response to increased amounts of sugar (glucose) in the blood (Type 1 Diabetes, 2022).

Type 1 Diabetes is defined as an autoimmune disease that does not allow the pancreas to make insulin. Since the pancreas cannot make insulin, when levels of sugar build up in the blood, there is no regulation of sugar to remove it into storage. This results in something called hyperglycemia. Researchers still do not have an exact understanding of the cause of this type of diabetes, but it is thought genetics plays a major role. (Type 1 Diabetes, 2022).

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is the most common form of diabetes. It is when the body makes less and less insulin over time and the cells in the body develop a resistance over time. This can also result in hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes can result from different lifestyle factors (like lack of exercise or being obese) and/or from an individuals genetics (Type 2 Diabetes, 2021).

According to the Mayo Clinic Staff (2022), symptoms of diabetes range depending on level of blood sugar. Some symptoms of both types of diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst, weight loss, weakness, blurry vision, mood changes, and increased sickness/infection. The main difference is that symptoms of type 1 diabetes have a more rapid onset, whereas type 2 diabetics may not have symptoms at all (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2022)

Long term complications of diabetes can include cardiovascular problems, kidney issues, nerve and foot damage, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression to name a few. While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, following healthy lifestyle practices like eating healthy meals, increasing exercise time, and losing weight may go a long way towards preventing type 2 diabetes (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2022).

If you are concerned you have diabetes, please consult your health care provider.

Citations:

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022, December 7). Diabetes. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444

Type 1 Diabetes. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, March 9). Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21500-type-1-diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes. Cleveland Clinic. (2021, March 25). Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21501-type-2-diabetes