Understanding the Differences between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

This is a very common question when it comes to diabetes. What is Type 1? What is Type 2? Is one more dangerous than the other? Millions of people around the world suffer from diabetes. A huge chunk of them don’t even know they have it. That’s why it is called the ‘silent killer’.

There are several differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

For starters, type 1 cannot be prevented. Type 2 can be prevented. This is the biggest difference. Most people who have diabetes have type 2 diabetes which is the result of poor lifestyle and diet choices.

By having a healthy and active lifestyle, eating a sensible diet and maintain a healthy weight, you may be able to avoid type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed during childhood or when the person is young. They may experience severe symptoms of high blood sugar. That’s when they are diagnosed for diabetes; during the medical treatment. Cases of hypoglycemia are also high with type 1 cases.

Unlike type 1, type 2 diabetes is rarely seen in childhood. It mostly occurs in adults as a result of poor diet and health choices. There are hardly any cases of low blood sugar with type 2 cases. However, these days, there is an increasing number of cases where even young children are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Once again, this is due to changes in the way we live.

Children nowadays, are less active and would rather sit at home and watch TV, surf the net or play computer games than run around at the park playing games the way children of the past used to. The current diet we survive on is also much unhealthier than it used to be.

Type 1 patients are usually normal or thin while type 2 patients are often overweight or obese. Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes tends to run in the family because of similar eating patterns.

Type 1 diabetes patients have little or no insulin in their body. They do not produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes patients produce insulin but their bodies do not use the insulin effectively.

The complications that may arise from both types of diabetes do not vary much. There are serious health problems that may occur if you do not keep your diabetes in check.

Diabetic comas due to high blood sugar, heart attacks, blindness, amputations, strokes, kidney problems and nephropathy are just some of the complications associated with diabetes. Every year, over 200, 000 Americans die because of diabetes.

The majority are type 2 cases because people neglect their health. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, always watch your diet and exercise regularly. There is no cure for diabetes. But, it can be kept in check.

There are some excellent guides that teach you how to reverse diabetes and bring your body to a state where it is almost non-existent. Getting one of these guides and applying the info within could be one of the best things you do for your health.