A 2023 estimate reports nearly 77 million Indians have diabetes today, and the numbers are expected to rise to 124 million by 2045. Unfortunately, except for the patients and caregivers, not many people understand diabetes as they should, making it difficult to be vigilant about the condition's prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Considering the severity of diabetes and health repercussions it may cost, Dr Sonali Patange, Diabetologist at Dr Sonali Patange Speciality Diabetes Center shares a comprehensive guide to know your diabetes type.
Know Your Diabetes Type
The two types of chronic diabetes are Type-1 and Type-2. Though they sound similar, they are different conditions with unique characteristics. Dr Patange explains, “T1D is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the body wrongly destroys pancreatic insulin-producing cells, resulting in lower insulin amounts and excessive blood glucose levels. T2D is a chronic metabolic disorder where the body cannot produce sufficient insulin, causing excessive blood glucose levels. T1D often develops in early childhood or adulthood, while T2D develops in older adults.”
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Causes of Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes
Differentiating the two, Dr Patange shares, “While T1D is linked to a family history of diabetes, with either a parent or sibling that has the condition, T2D is linked to obesity, which is affected through unhealthy diet choices and no physical inactivity.” Although the risk is entirely different, the symptoms of T1D and T2D are very similar, with only a varying degree of blood sugar levels. In cases of T1D, as individuals are born with a predisposition to the disease, the condition progresses quickly once the immune system begins destroying the pancreatic insulin-producing cells. On the contrary, T2D is a slowly developing condition that first starts as prediabetes, which later develops into diabetes.
Diagnosis of Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes
As T1D progresses rapidly, patients remain undiagnosed for a long time and may be diagnosed by their primary caregiver when their blood glucose levels shoot up quickly to above 400 mg/dl. “It is advisable to test your urine ketone levels and blood glucose levels. While similar tests are recommended for T2D, it is essential to note that patients may be diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes based on their blood glucose and HbA1c levels. Being diagnosed with prediabetes is a warning to take corrective steps to reduce the risk of T2D,” shares Dr Patange.
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Treatment of Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes
Both T1D and T2D conditions need to be well monitored and well managed. The significant difference in the treatment for the two types is that T1D is an autoimmune genetic disorder, so patients must take insulin therapy via insulin injections or insulin pumps to control blood glucose levels. They also need to monitor blood glucose and carbohydrate levels frequently.
As T2D is a metabolic disorder, patients must make lifestyle changes, such as losing extra weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and reducing stress, to control the condition. T2D also requires monitoring blood glucose levels along with diabetes medications, insulin or both.
Complications of Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes
“Diabetes, when it remains untreated, can have multiple short- and long-term effects. While T1D causes hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis in a short-term scenario, it can lead to heart diseases (coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure) and neuropathy (nerve damage) in the long run,” warns Dr Patange. Similarly, T2D could lead to heart diseases, nephropathy (kidney diseases), neuropathy (nerve damage) and retinopathy (eye diseases, blurry vision, blindness). Recent studies have also found a correlation between diabetes and cancer, liver diseases, functional and cognitive disabilities, and chronic infections.
Final Word
Living with diabetes is challenging. Whether T1D or T2D, both present stressful challenges daily. It isn't a condition that gets easier or can be fixed easily. But if it is left untreated or treatment not adhered to, it can result in serious complications. The condition does not define who you are, so living a life of awareness and adherence is essential.