If you have diabetes or know someone who has diabetes, you probably have a lot of questions, as well as fears. Is the type of diabetes that you have more serious than another type? Will you have to take insulin[1]? Are you going to lose your vision[2]? Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to understanding the differences between type 1[3] and type 2 diabetes[4]. So, in this article, we aim to get a few of your burning questions answered and hopefully dispel any confusion about YOUR type of diabetes!
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the beta cells[5] in the pancreas are destroyed. The beta cells make insulin, a hormone needed to help sugar (glucose) in the blood get into cells to be used for energy. Without insulin, blood sugar levels get too high, and high blood sugars can cause damage to the body. Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2 diabetes, accounting for between 5% and 10% of people with diabetes[6]. Treatment for diabetes consists of taking insulin, either by injection, inhalation[7], or by using an insulin pump[8].
Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for about 90% to 95% of diabetes cases[9], happens when the insulin that your body makes doesn’t work as well as it should. The pancreas responds by making more insulin, but eventually the pancreas can’t keep up and blood sugars become too high. As with type 1 diabetes, high blood sugars can cause damage to the body and serious health problems. Type 2 diabetes can be treated in several ways, such as with healthy eating[10] and physical activity[11], and by taking diabetes pills, insulin, and/or noninsulin injectable medicines[12].
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So which type of diabetes is worse? Neither. If you have type 1 diabetes, you might disagree, since you have to take insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, you may feel that your “type” is worse, especially if you were diagnosed later in life and already have some complications[14]. Realize that both types of diabetes can lead to serious complications if they are not managed. Your perception of your diabetes is greatly affected by how you approach managing it. In other words, if you tackle your diabetes management — taking your medication as prescribed; eating mostly healthy foods; making time to be active; and keeping up with regular appointments, tests, and exams – you can live a little easier (and a lot healthier) with diabetes.
Yes, absolutely! If you have not been prescribed insulin (and yes, many people with type 2 diabetes take insulin), this doesn’t mean that you can or should ignore your diabetes. Maybe you are doing fine with watching your food portions, counting carbs[15], and going for daily walks[16], for example. Or maybe you take diabetes pills and those are doing the trick (hopefully along with healthy eating and exercise) to keep your blood sugars and A1C[17] at safe levels. If either of these are the case, keep up the great work! But don’t let your guard down. Type 2 diabetes can change over time, which means that the treatment that you use today may not work as well in a few years. Checking your blood sugars and getting your A1C checked regularly, as advised by your health care provider, are great ways to know how your diabetes is doing.
It’s normal to worry about developing complications if you have diabetes. Heart disease[18], kidney disease[19], nerve damage[20], and vision loss[21] are some of the more common (and potentially devastating) types of diabetes complications. Try not to let your fear control you, however. The good news is that rates of diabetes complications have decreased in the last 20 years[22], and people with diabetes are living longer, healthier lives — and with fewer complications — than ever before.
But in order to do this, you’ll need to take some steps and possibly make some changes to your lifestyle. Here’s how:
Monitoring your blood sugar, either with a meter or by using a CGM, is one of the best ways for you to know what affects your blood sugar readings. For example, you can see how food, physical activity, stress[29], and illness impact your diabetes. Then, based on your readings, you and your provider can make decisions about the best way to treat your diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association states that certain people may benefit from checking blood glucose regularly[30], including those who:
Getting your A1C checked is important, as well, but monitoring your blood sugars lets you know, on a daily or weekly basis, how things are going. If you’re unsure about monitoring or are worried about doing finger-sticks, talk with your provider or diabetes educator.
Whether you are new to diabetes or have had it for many years, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and even helpless. It may seem like there is so much to do, and you already have things to do in your life, such as going to work or school, or taking care of family.
People approach diabetes self-management in different ways. Everyone’s diabetes is different, so the way that you approach your diabetes will probably vary from someone else’s. There is no sugar-coating the fact that managing diabetes can be hard, and some days will be better than others. There are actions that you can do to better cope with having diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following:
Want to learn more diabetes basics? Read “Welcome to Diabetes”[33] for type 2, “Type 1 Diabetes Questions and Answers”[34] for type 1, and “Gestational Diabetes: Are You at Risk?”[35] for gestational diabetes.
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