Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Do you or someone you know have Diabetes? ⠀
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As a dietitian and diabetes educator, I see so much confusion around diabetes. In this post, I’d like to break down some main differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes:⠀
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Type 1:⠀
Cause: Autoimmune - this means that a susceptible individual (someone with the genes for Type 1 Diabetes) was triggered to destroy their own insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. This trigger may be a virus or another environmental factor. ⠀
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Type 1 is the minority of diabetes cases, accounting for 5-10% of cases.⠀
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Treatment: Insulin, which can be injected via insulin pens, vial and syringe or a pump. ⠀
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Age of Onset: Usually before age 30, but can be anytime⠀
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Diagnosed via blood test: fasting glucose, random glucose, Hemoglobin A1C, C-Peptide ⠀
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Type 2: ⠀
Cause: Genetic + Environmental factors leading to insulin resistance and sometimes insulin deficiency as well⠀
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Type 2 accounts for 90-95% of diabetes cases⠀
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Treatment: Varies, but can include oral meds, injectables, or insulin⠀
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Age of Onset: Usually after 30, but can be anytime⠀
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Diagnosed via blood test: fasting glucose, random glucose, Hemoglobin A1C, oral glucose tolerance test⠀
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Symptoms of both conditions may include: extreme fatigue, extreme thirst, extreme hunger, unintentional weight loss (elevated blood sugar means the cells are not receiving the fuel from digestion), poorly healing wounds (extra sugar in the blood increases risk for infection), blurry vision, tingling/pain/numbness in the hands/feet.⠀
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Unlike the common dietary advice given, individuals with diabetes do not have to avoid carbs or sugar! Carbohydrates are essential nutrients and a vital part of all people's diets, even those with diabetes. ⠀
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