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Writer's pictureVictoria Chavez, MPH, BHW

Diabetes: Part 3-Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes! What's the Difference?

Updated: Apr 29, 2020



Hello Everyone, thank you for tuning in! I am Victoria with Ms. Victorias Health and Wellness Forum! Today an employee of mine asked me a good question that got me thinking. What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes? We are always talking about type 2 diabetes that I never took out the time to explain the nature of Type 1 Diabetes.


Then I got thinking if I don't know and she doesn't know what the difference is, maybe I should look into it and share the information that we gather, besides I have been talking about Pre-Diabetes so let me get on it!


The American Diabetes Association confirms there are approximately 1.4 million diabetes diagnoses; these include pre-diabetes, type 1, and type 2 diabetes. There is a significant difference between type 1 and 2, and I am going to try to explain both of them as quickly as I can! Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease meaning the body's immune system starts to attack the beta cells that are in the tissue of the pancreas.

When the beta cells get attacked, they produce a minimum amount of insulin or none at all. The hormone insulin that is released by the pancreas is responsible for regulating blood sugar when the pancreas is unable to properly function; it isn't able to distribute glucose into the cells properly. The causative agent of this autoimmune disease is unknown; researches are still trying to find the answers. But we do know that Stress (as mentioned in many of my segments), eating loads of processed foods and refined sugars, as well as no physical activity, lack of sleep, specific illness, and genetic predispositions, can contribute to Type 1 Diabetes.


It is essential to clarify that children and young adults are the predominant cohorts that suffer from Type 1 Diabetes, and it is scarce for an adult to get diagnosed with Type 1. Symptoms to look out for both type 1 and type 2: significant weight loss tingling or numbness of extremities especially in the legs constantly thirsty frequent urination nausea and vomiting accelerated heartbeat exhaustion hangry (hungry and angry when doesn't have food within a specific time frame) dizziness and blurred vision food cravings If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please seek out medical attention as soon as possible.


Moving on to Type 2 Diabetes, if you remember in part one of Pre-Diabetes, we explained how the cells resist the absorption of insulin. We told that the pancreas continuously tries to send the cells insulin for energy, and no matter how much the pancreas sends the cells can care less. Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, the pancreas is producing insulin, but the cells refuse to absorb, causing insulin to incorporate in the bloodstream. At present, there is no medical cure for Type 1 Diabetes; persons with Type 1 Diabetes must inject insulin into their bodies or use insulin pumps to ensure they have the right amount of insulin throughout the day. Often type 1 Diabetics must check their blood sugar to help manage the insulin levels since they fluctuate.


Luckily Pre-Diabetics and Type 2 Diabetics have a chance to reverse their diabetes with exercise and diet. We spoke about it in reversing diabetes in Part 2 of Pre-Diabetes, but don't fret; we also have herbal remedies that are beneficial to regulate blood sugar production and help change diagnoses. Yes, there are options before turning into conventional medicine! The information does not stop here stay tuned for our next segment Diabetes: Part 4- Supplements and herbs that help Pre-Diabetics and Type 2 Diabetics. Thank you for watching, Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share this information with your friends and family. I am Victoria Chavez with Ms. Victoria's Health and Wellness Forum!


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