Diabetes is a complicated condition and is mainly categorized into two different types: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. There are a lot of differences as well as similarities between the two-condition due to which people often argue as to which type of diabetes is worse than the other. The following article deals with this question as we try to understand the differences and similarities between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. So, read on “Which is More Worse Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes?”

Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Let us first start by understanding the differences between the two types of diabetes. Following are the major differences:

Definition

Type 1 is the type of diabetes that is caused when the beta cells of the pancreas responsible for the production of the hormone insulin are destroyed completely. Thus, the body lacks insulin.

Type 2 is the condition where the pancreas of the body is able to produce the hormone. However, the body is unable to utilize the hormone appropriately for several reasons.

Causes

The main causes of type 1 are genetic disorders, exposure to varied types of viral infections such as mumps and other viruses, exposure to the toxins in the environment, amongst others.

Insulin resistance is the most important cause of type 2 diabetes. The condition is also associated with the increase in the body weight of the individual as well as with high levels of blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels. Genes can also be a factor here too.

Onset

The onset in case of type 1 is often very rapid, while the onset of type 2 is often really slow. The type 1 is mostly diagnosed during the childhood while type 2 is said to be diagnosed in adults who are usually over 30 years of age.

Symptoms

In either type of diabetes, the symptoms are slow to appear and in most of the cases might even go unnoticed. Some of the signs are common in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The warning signs of type 1 include extreme thirst and hunger, urination, loss of body weight while experiencing excessive hunger at the same time, vomiting, and a feeling of nausea.

Type 2 diabetes signs and symptoms mostly include blurred vision, development of dark patches due to insulin resistance, skin problems, dry and itchy skin, numbness in the feet, etc. apart from the warning signs mentioned above.

Physical Attributes

The Body Mass Index in case of type 1 is mostly found to be in the normal range as opposed to in type 2 in which the Body Mass Index is normally in the obese range

Insulin Dependence

While type 1 diabetes patients have to take insulin from the very beginning, type 2 patients start taking the same only after a few years of their diagnosis.

Understanding a Few Facts About Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

In order to understand the answer to the question, “Which of the two types of diabetes is more worse?”, we shall first need the answers to the questions asked below:

Which is the More Common Type of Diabetes?

As per the research conducted, type 1 diabetes is more common as compared to type 2 diabetes. Type 1 affects around 1.25 million people.

Can Type 1 and Type 2 of Diabetes be Prevented?

Diabetes is a complicated condition and although it is possible to regulate the same by adopting a healthy diet, a balanced lifestyle, and other important aspects, preventing either type 1 or type 2 is not a very common thing. Having said that, you can delay or postpone the onset of type 2 diabetes by adopting healthy measures.

What is the Life Expectancy of  Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

The life expectancy of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes depends on a number of factors such as the individual, the length of the disease, lifestyle measures adopted, medications and drugs were taken, complications which diabetes might lead to, amongst others.

On an average, patients who have type 1 diabetes have reduced life span by as much as 20 years, while those suffering from type 1 have their average life reduced by around 10 years. Also, results of one of the studies conducted by the University of Pittsburgh suggest that those born after 1965 and having type 1 diabetes have a life expectancy of around 69 years.

Here, you need to remember that the above figures are just an average of those who suffer from diabetes. These estimates might include those who might not have taken care of the disease and might not have taken any type of medical assistance as well. Today, there are a lot of treatments available that can go a long way in prolonging the life span of diabetes patients.

Which Type of Diabetes is the Worse (Type 1 vs Type 2)?

You need to consider the following points before arriving at the question as to which is the more serious and worst type of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes patients might need a lot of insulin from the very onset of the disease. However, as type 2 progresses, the patients have to administer insulin into their bodies as well.
• People with type 1 can be diagnosed immediately. If you have type 2, however, the diagnosis might come even after a period of five to six long periods

Hence, as seen above, it is very difficult to answer the question which type of diabetes is worse amongst the two. There are various measures you need to take in order to deal with either of the two diabetes types. Some important measures include:

• Be mindful of what is going on in your body
• Use the available treatments effectively
• Lead a healthy life as directed and advised by the medical experts
• Understand the food that you are taking in
• You should stay motivated and disciplined while you are trying to handle the disease

Thus, whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, you need to adopt appropriate measures to handle both the situations. Each one can be tackled in its own way. Both are complicated and there is nothing like one is worse than the other.

We hope that the above post has been helpful in giving answers to your question “Which is More Worse Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes?” Given the complications and available treatments of the two types, there cannot be any direct answer to the above question and each type has its own way of dealing. You need to take expert medical supervision to deal with diabetes irrespective of whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes!