How Does Type 1 Diabetes Differ From Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is of three distinct kinds. Type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is the one that a pregnant woman develops. In most cases, after childbirth, this gets cured on its own. In this article we shall discuss the differences between type1 and type 2 diabetes.

While type1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, type 2 is not. In case of type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that secrete insulin. The reasons might be genetic. The reasons for type 2 diabetes are obesity, sedentary lifestyle and family history.

Also Read: Signs Of Type 1 Diabetes In Children

People who suffer from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin on a daily basis. However, people who suffer from type 2 diabetes can control it in other ways. They have to monitor their diet, exercise, watch their weight and sometimes take pills. If all these do not work and the blood sugar level keeps shooting up, then these people also have to take insulin injections.

In case of type1 diabetes, people can suffer from low sugar levels. This does not often happen in case of type 2 diabetes. This is because the insulin injections that people who suffer from type 1 diabetes take can lower the level of blood sugar. This can cause lethargy, dizziness, shakiness and fatigue. In certain cases it can prove to be fatal as well.

Also Read: Home Remedies For Diabetes

People who suffer from type 1 diabetes can eat sugary foods as long as it matches with their dosage of insulin. People with type 2 diabetes cannot afford to do so as it can cause weight increase and increase in their blood sugar levels as well.

Type 1 diabetes is seen to occur in children. However, it is seen to occur in adults as well, but rarely. Type 2 diabetes is seen to strike people generally after forty five years of age.