Diabetes is a condition almost everyone has heard of, but surprisingly few really understand it. When someone is diagnosed with diabetes, the first question that comes to mind is “Which diabetes is worse? “
This is a fair question. Because when you hear about complications like kidney failure, blindness, amputations, or diabetic coma, it’s natural to wonder whether one type is more dangerous than the other.
There are different types of diabetes, and each is associated with different reasons and ways of getting worse. Therefore, it is very important to understand the difference between types of diabetes before you do anything else.
Diabetes Mellitus & its Types
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease where your blood sugar is abnormally high in the blood. It occurs because your body is not producing enough insulin or is not able to use the insulin properly.
Insulin is a key hormone that regulates your blood sugar levels. When insulin doesn’t work properly, glucose remains in your blood, instead of powering your body.
The word Mellitus refers to something sweet, like honey. In the past, doctors have observed that the urine of people with diabetes contained excess sugar. It even attracted ants. That’s why this condition is known as Diabetes Mellitus. It has many types, including:
1: Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is classified as an autoimmune disease. It means the immune system of your body wrongly attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Therefore, your body produces very little or no insulin at all.
Insulin is a very important hormone. When it is not there, glucose ends up in your blood instead of the cells where it is supposed to be burned for energy. If you have type 1 diabetes, you are required to take insulin every single day in order to survive.
Generally, type 1 diabetes is more common in kids, teenagers, or young adults. However, it can happen at any age. The disease evolves rapidly, sometimes within just a few weeks.
2. Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder where your body continues to produce insulin, but the cells become resistant to it. Usually, it is associated with poor lifestyle choices like lack of exercise, being overweight, and an unhealthy diet. However, your genetics also play a strong role in this.
Type 2 diabetes is much more prevalent. It is estimated that around 6% of the world‘s population is affected by this disease. It develops slowly over the years, and most people do not know they have it until they are diagnosed with it.
Type 2 is mostly common in people who are over 45 years old, but it can also affect younger individuals, even children.
3. Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a special form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. The condition usually develops in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy.
Most of the time, it goes away once the baby is born, but the mother is at risk of getting type 2 diabetes later in her life.
The biggest problem with gestational diabetes is that it never causes symptoms in most of the cases. That is the reason why doctors advise screening at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.
If it is not controlled, it can increase the risk of the baby having a large birth weight, being born prematurely, or having low blood sugar after birth.
4. Some Rare Forms of Diabetes
Some forms are less widespread such as Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) and secondary diabetes which occurs due to medicines or other health issues. These rare forms are often misdiagnosed as Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.
But when we are discussing which diabetes is worse, we are usually referring to the comparison between type 1 and type 2.
So, Which Diabetes Is Worse?
Both types 1 and 2 diabetes are associated with different challenges and levels of severity. But Type 1 is considered to be more dangerous because it happens suddenly and requires insulin for the rest of life.
In the absence of insulin, blood sugar levels can rise more severely. This can result in a very serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA occurs when the body uses fat for energy, generating acidic substances called ketones. Without proper care, it cause cause:
- Severe dehydration
- Vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Confusion
- Coma
- Death
DKA is a sudden condition that occurs in a matter of a few hours or a few days. That is why, in type 1, patients need regular insulin right from day one.
Type 2 is also dangerous, but it shows long-term effects
Type 2 Diabetes Can Be considered more dangerous in a long-term scenario. It is likely to cause more cardiovascular-related complications in the future.
In type 2, the continuously elevated sugar level in the blood damages your blood vessels and nerves all over the body. In the long run, it may cause:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- Vision loss
- Nerve damage
- Foot ulcers and amputations
Your Age and Lifestyle Matter
The other factor that helps in determining which type of diabetes is worse is the time. When a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, he will be living with the disease for decades. This means that even if someone with type 1 manages blood sugar well, the total number of years with diabetes increases the lifetime risk simply due to duration of disease.
Similarly, a person diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 45, with the problems of high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol, may be at a higher risk of heart disease in just a few years.
So your overall health profile matters greatly in deciding which type may be worse for you.
Can You Get Rid of Diabetes?
Right now, there is no cure for type 1 and type 2. Top diabetes research organizations clarify that a cure means totally getting rid of the disease and its causes so that it never returns. At present, this is not achievable in any form of diabetes.
Currently, type 1 diabetes has no cure, and a person with it will always need insulin.
However, type 2 diabetes can sometimes be reversed through proper lifestyle changes, weight loss, and medical care. But remission is not the same as the disease being permanently eradicated. If an individual changes their habits, the sugar levels in the blood can go up again.
Since type 2 diabetes can go into remission, it gives some people the impression that it is less serious.
Final Thoughts
Figuring out “which diabetes is worse” is not an easy task. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are both serious, long-term diseases that can lead to certain complications, but the risks are different.
If you have diabetes, you need to continually make choices that help to keep you healthy. Stay on top of your healthcare provider’s advice and make your physical and mental health the priorities for living a long and healthy life.
Whether it is you or a family member who has diabetes, the best thing you can do is to stay committed to the treatment and develop a strong and personalized care plan.
At Kairos Integrative Care in Texas, Lola, one of our integrative nurse-practitioners, is here to help you in diagnosing the kind of diabetes you have and give you a comprehensive care plan. We accept major insurance plans, including Blue Cross, Aetna, Ambetter, Cigna, and more.
If you have any questions or need guidance, call us anytime. Our team of experts can guide you on any health concerns you may be struggling with. New patients are always welcome, and if visiting the clinic isn’t possible, telemedicine appointments are available across the entire state of Texas.
Book your appointment today!
