Fiber can help manage diabetes, so eat avocados!
Avocados are incredibly hearty, with 6.7 grams of gut-friendly fiber. You can also eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Anyone with type 2 diabetes will get the most benefits as the fiber slows digestion and balances sugar levels. However, type 1 diabetes patients can also benefit from fiber’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Understanding the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes means being able to lead a long and healthy life. When you know what you’re dealing with you can customize your diabetes management plan to get the best results.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about both types of diabetes.
Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
What’s the most significant difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes? How they develop and function. Both diseases come about in different ways.
For instance, if you have type 1 diabetes, you have an autoimmune condition. Your body is accidentally attacking and destroying cells that make your insulin.
Insulin is the hormone in your body responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. With type 1 diabetes, your body loses the ability to produce insulin.
Since everybody needs insulin to survive, type 1 diabetes can be life-threatening. Without insulin, your body can’t take the glucose out of your blood and bring it into your body’s cells. Patients have to find ways to lower a1c naturally, otherwise, glucose levels will never stabilize.
Glucose is another word for sugar. When your glucose levels are out of balance, it means your blood sugar levels are out of whack.
If your body can’t get the glucose into the cells, you won’t be able to convert it for energy. As glucose levels rise, all sorts of health complications can also come about.
What makes type 2 diabetes different? If you have type 2 diabetes, your body isn’t making enough insulin.
Type 2 diabetes can also mean that your body produces insulin, but its insulin doesn’t work the right way. You might have what’s known as insulin resistance.
Similarities Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Did you know that type 1 and type 2 diabetes have certain things in common? When dealing with type 2 diabetes, diet and exercise are a significant part of the diabetes treatment plan.
However, type 1 diabetes patients can also benefit significantly from increasing their exercise levels and improving their diet. By maintaining a lower weight and boosting activity levels, you can increase your insulin sensitivity. Increasing your insulin sensitivity will make it easier for your body to control blood sugars naturally.
Another similarity is that both types of diabetes are long-term complications. These long-term complications come about from an increase in blood sugar levels.
It’s also common for both types of diabetes to include other health issues such as neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Neuropathy has to do with nerve damage, retinopathy has to do with damage to your eye, and nephropathy has to do with kidney damage.
Patients also have to be aware of cardiovascular complications that could arise from both types of diabetes. There can also be issues with lower extremity amputations or impaired healing abilities if blood flow is compromised. When your body can’t get enough blood flow to all of your extremities, problems with nerve damage can also arise.
Are You Living With Diabetes Symptoms?
Are you living with diabetes symptoms but don’t know it? Sometimes the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be similar.
Here’s a shortlist of diabetes warning signs to keep an eye out for:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Feeling fatigued more than usual
- Unexplained weight loss
- The sudden appearance of thrush
- Itching in the genitals
- Cuts won’t heal
- Blurry vision
If you’re experiencing frequent urination, and it’s happening at night, that could be a sign of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, all of the symptoms on the list above could also signify other health problems. Instead of trying to diagnose yourself, reach out to your doctor.
Detection Window
How fast does diabetes occur? Type 1 diabetes tends to appear quite quickly. It’s a lot harder to ignore the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes symptoms are easy to miss. Type 2 diabetes symptoms develop slowly, and the early stages can be almost impossible to detect.
Risk Factors for Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes
What causes diabetes? There’s no clear explanation as to why some people get diabetes and others don’t.
However, doctors are able to tell us the different risk factors. If you qualify for multiple risk factors, you should talk to your doctor about diabetes prevention plans.
Type 1 Risk Factors
Type 1 diabetes usually exists among children or people under the age of 40. It’s possible to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after 40, but it’s less likely. A few other risk factors include exposure to a viral illness or having damaged immune cells.
Type 2 Risk Factors
For type 2 diabetes, you can find out your risk factors by discovering your family’s medical history. Remember, just because someone in your family had diabetes, it’s not set in stone that you’ll follow the same path.
Type 2 diabetes is heavily influenced by lifestyle. By managing your weight and eating nutrient-packed foods, you can significantly lower your risk factors.
Gestational Diabetes Risk Factors
It also helps if you’re aware of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and requires a unique treatment plan. Every year the condition affects 2-10% of pregnancies in the United States.
Coping With Diabetes the Right Way
Learning the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes means knowing how to take action. Remember, sometimes simple lifestyle changes can significantly impact your overall health.
Set up an appointment with your doctor today, and talk about whether or not you’re at risk for diabetes. If you are at risk, take steps to make your situation better. Whether eating healthier or walking around the block, you’re worth the investment.
You can also spend more time looking around our website. We have great posts just for you!