Is there any difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes? What difference does it make to me if I have type 1 or type 2 diabetes?
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Hello,
Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes have many differences. These are age, cause, risk of complications, and care requirements.
Type 1 diabetes is mostly a more severe and sudden presentation of diabetes than type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes may also need more diabetes care than type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes usually occurs early in life (in children). But, type 2 diabetes occurs later in young adults, middle age, or old age.
Type 1 diabetes occurs due to the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction of pancreatic cells is due to a faulty immune response. In contrast, type 2 diabetes is due to the inability of your body cells to use insulin. It is mainly linked with obesity and lifestyle. There can also be reduced insulin production (but not absent) in type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes needs mandatory daily insulin injections. It can have a rapid progression if not treated with insulin. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes may need oral medications and/or insulin. Progression may be slow, and complications may develop after many years. But, some people with type 2 diabetes may develop a faster worsening.
Read more about type 1 and type 2 diabetes