When someone says that they have ‘diabetes’, it’s important to know specifically which type, as there are major differences. Diabetes used as a general term is a chronic disease that occurs when the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. In Canada, approximately 90% people with diabetes have type 2, and 10% are living with type 1. The key differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes are discussed here.
Symptoms:
Type 1 diabetes
These symptoms may develop/appear over several weeks:
- Increased thirst and urination
- Increased hunger
- Blurred vision
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
Type 2 diabetes
These symptoms may develop/appear over several years:
- Increased thirst and urination
- Increased hunger
- Blurred vision
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feetSores or wounds that taking a longer time to heal
- Weight changes
Risk Factors:
Risk factors differ quite significantly for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes Risk Factors
- Having a family history of diabetes
- Certain genetic features
- Possibly, exposure to some infections or viruses
Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors
- Having a family member with type 2 diabetes
- Age over 40 years
- Race/ethnicity
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Diet
- Being physically inactive
- High blood pressure
- High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
Diagnosis:
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in adults over 40 years old but can occur in people in their 20’s and 30’s, and even in teenagers.
Tests used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar and include:
- A1C test ≥6.5%
- Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test 7 mmol/L
- Random plasma glucose (RPG) test 11.1 mmol/L
- Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) ≥ 11.1 mmol/L
Treatment:
While there is no cure for diabetes, treatment can help individuals manage it and prevent it from getting worse.
Type 1 Diabetes
- Daily insulin injections or use of an insulin pump.
Type 2 Diabetes
- Lifestyle changes (physical activity, weight loss, and dietary changes)
- Oral and injectable medications
Prevention:
Type 1 Diabetes
- Cannot be prevented, as it is an autoimmune disease
Type 2 Diabetes
- May be prevented or delayed, as two major risk factors can be modified: being overweight and inactivity
If you think you may have signs or symptoms of diabetes, speak with your doctor in order to get the appropriate medical treatment, if needed.
