What are the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Recently, my grandmother was diagnosed with diabetes. I would like to know the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Doctor's answer (1)
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are the two main types of diabetes, and the following are the main differences between them:
1. Causes: The development of type 1 diabetes is related to autoimmune deficiencies, genetic factors, and viral infections, leading to destruction of islet function and absolute insulin deficiency. In contrast, type 2 diabetes is mainly caused by the combined effects of polygenic inheritance and environmental factors, resulting in relative insulin deficiency, although some patients may also develop absolute insulin deficiency.
2. Affected population: Type 1 diabetes mostly occurs in adolescents, while type 2 diabetes primarily affects adults, especially middle-aged and elderly individuals.
3. Clinical presentation: Type 1 diabetes has an acute onset with obvious symptoms, often表现为 "three more and one less" (increased urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger with weight loss), and is prone to acute complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis. Patients with type 2 diabetes tend to develop the condition later in life, and symptoms may be atypical. Some patients may even experience overweight or obesity, and complications often occur under triggers such as stress or infection.
4. Treatment approaches: Patients with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy to sustain life. Patients with type 2 diabetes can be treated comprehensively through various means including dietary control, exercise therapy, oral hypoglycemic agents, or insulin therapy.
For patients with diabetes, it is important to choose a suitable treatment plan according to individual conditions and manage and control blood glucose levels under the guidance of professional physicians.
