Types of Diabetes

We all know about diabetes and are probably tired of hearing about it, but many people are uninformed about what diabetes actually is. This is a growing epidemic that needs more attention. Most of us know there are two different types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, both have a different cause and effect on the body. The main difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is the fact that individuals with type 1 diabetes simply don’t produce insulin naturally in their body, and those with type 2 diabetes do in fact produce insulin but their body doesn’t respond well to is. So to break things down and make this a little easier to understand I will talk about the two separately.

Type 1 Diabetes

• The cause of type 1 has to do with the body (the immune system in particular) mistakes the insulin-producing beta cells (made by the pancreas) by attacking and even destroying these very vital and important cells to the human body. This classifies type 1 diabetes as an autoimmune disease. When these beta cells are damaged they are no longer able to produce insulin, which is a hormone needed by the body to maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood (80-120 mg/dL). What are the risk factors for type 1 diabetes? Family history is the one of the biggest contenders, age (can appear at any age but most common in children), genetics, and your distance away from the equator is also seen as a risk for diabetes. Type 1 CANNOT be prevented.

Type 2 Diabetes

• The cause of type 2 is caused by an insulin resistance, meaning the body produces insulin but doesn’t know how to properly use it and maintain healthy levels of blood glucose levels. Research still hasn’t proven why some people become inulin resistant but it is believed that an unhealthy lifestyle is a major contributor. Some risks for type 2 diabetes include: being overweight/obese, having an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes, <45 years old, being physically inactive, for women if they have ever had gestational diabetes, being of African-American, Hispanic, Latino American, American Indian, or Alaska Native ethnicities, a significant amount of belly fat. Ways to avoid getting type 2 diabetes, maintain a healthy weight, increase activity levels.