The difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes:
Diabetes is a global chronic disease. Countless medical experts have devoted tremendous effort to researching treatments for diabetes, all in an effort to alleviate the pain and risks faced by patients. Diabetes can be divided into type 1 and type 2, the differences of which can be discerned from age, weight, symptoms, and clinical treatment.
I. Age differences
Generally, middle-aged and elderly people over 40 years old have a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes, while children and adolescents under 20 years old mostly have type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is also known as diabetes in middle-aged and elderly people. The younger the age, the greater the likelihood of type 1 diabetes, and the older the age, the greater the likelihood of type 2 diabetes.
II. Differences in weight
Significantly overweight or obese diabetic patients are more likely to have type 2 diabetes. The more pronounced the obesity, the higher the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Generally, patients with type 1 diabetes have normal or low weight before the onset of the disease. However, regardless of whether it is type 1 or type 2 diabetes, weight loss will occur to varying degrees after the onset of the disease, but the weight loss symptom is more pronounced in type 1 diabetes.
III. Differences in Clinical Symptoms
The obvious symptoms of type 1 diabetes are polydipsia (excessive thirst), polyphagia (excessive hunger), and polyuria (excessive urination), while type 2 diabetes does not have these three obvious symptoms. Some type 2 diabetes patients do not experience noticeable symptoms, making it difficult to detect in many cases. Many patients only learn they have diabetes when they have a blood sugar test. In contrast, the symptoms of type 1 diabetes are more obvious and prominent, allowing for more accurate determination of its onset time.
IV. Differences in Clinical Treatment
Patients with type 1 diabetes can only control their high blood sugar through insulin injections, while oral hypoglycemic agents are largely ineffective. However, type 2 diabetes can be treated with appropriate oral hypoglycemic agents, supplemented by diet control and exercise. These treatments can achieve very good blood sugar control. Insulin therapy can also be used if oral hypoglycemic agents fail.