Diabetes Type 1, Type 2

Did you know diabetes is responsible for 5.4% of deaths in South Africa? According to the International Diabetes Federation there were 2.28 million cases of diabetes in South Africa in 2015. This figure is estimated to more than double in the year 2040.

Diabetes isn’t unique to South Africa: It’s a global issue, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Many people describe diabetes as being a pandemic.

When people are diagnosed with diabetes, they often have many questions, especially about the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Let’s take a look at these and hopefully clear up any confusion or questions you may have.

What is diabetes?

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both chronic diseases, they affect the way your body regulates blood sugar or glucose. Glucose is needed to feed your body’s cells, but to enter your cells it needs a key. The key is insulin.

• People with type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin.
• People with type 2 diabetes don’t respond to insulin as well as they should and later in the disease their bodies don’t make enough insulin.

Symptoms

Both types share similar symptoms if not controlled.

• Frequent urination
• Drinking a lot or feeling thirsty
• Feeling very hungry
• Blurry vision
• Feeling very tired
• Cuts or sores that won’t heal properly

People with type 1 may also experience mood swings and unintentional weight loss. Whereas people with type 2 may experience a tingling sensation or numbness in their hands and feet.

Although the symptoms are very similar, they present in very different ways. People with type 2 diabetes may not have symptoms for many years, then develop them slowly over time. And some don’t show any symptoms at all and only discover their condition when complications arise.

The symptoms for type 1 diabetes develop very fast, normally over the course of several weeks. This type of diabetes usually develops in childhood or adolescence, but it is possible to get type 1 diabetes later in life.

Cause and effect

Type 1 Diabetes

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Usually, the body's own immune system -which normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses - mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Other possible causes include:

• Genetics
• Exposure to viruses and other environmental factors

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. The body still produces insulin, but it is unable to use it effectively. Factors that contribute to this are excess weight and inactivity.

Am I at risk?

One in four people do not know that they have diabetes. There are many risk factors that increase a person's risk for developing diabetes. Some of these characteristics are beyond a person's control.

Type 1 diabetes risk factors:

• Family history- if you have a blood relative with diabetes, your risk of developing it is significantly higher.
• Age – type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed in young children and adolescents.  

Type 2 diabetes risk factors:

• Prediabetes: high blood sugar levels
• Obesity/overweight
• Have an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes
• Older than 45
• Physically inactive

It is important to note that type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, but type 2 can. Making lifestyle changes such as, healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and reducing your intake of processed or sugary foods, all contribute to lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.