For many, diabetes is seen as a condition only faced by older adults—a so-called “disease of aging,” with the typical image of grey-haired grandparents managing medications and monitoring sugar. But in today’s world where we are living , that coin has been flipped . Today across playgrounds, colleges, and workplaces, diabetes is appearing in younger faces, breaking free from its age-old stereotype. Thanks to dramatic shifts in lifestyle, diet, and physical activity, type 2 diabetes is now rising sharply among teenagers and young adults—a trend once thought unimaginable just a generation ago.No longer does diabetes wait for wrinkles.That makes it extremely important to understand what are the different type of Diabetes we are fighting with today
Type 1 Diabetes
To get it in the simplest way possible , consider Type 1 diabetes as an unexpected city-wide blackout. Why so ? In this type, the body’s own immune system confuses the insulin-producing cells and destroys them. Once these cells are destroyed, the capability of insulin production becomes so less that the pancreas produces almost no insulin, so glucose stays in the blood. When there’s too much glucose in our body, it refers to high blood sugar levels. It brings long-term damage to the body. Now , going back to the example, suddenly, there are no gatekeepers left—no insulin is made. Without insulin, sugar piles up in the bloodstream instead of reaching the city’s energy-hungry buildings.Mostly children and young adults, but it can strike anyone. There is a belief that if there is family history of type 1 diabetes, it has a slightly higher risk of developing the condition.The patient doesn’t get much time to take precautions as symptoms appear suddenly.You might be thinking now , can it be prevented ? As most of the time it comes all of a sudden , insulin is the major option you are left with. Being mindful about the carbohydrates you eat and drink is another check box. Eating healthy and going for daily walk helps.
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Type 2 Diabetes
On the other hand , Type 2 diabetes is more like the city’s gatekeepers becoming lazy or overwhelmed over the period of time , not all of a sudden. This is the most common form of diabetes. The body makes insulin, but it’s not used properly as it develops “insulin resistance” . With time as Type 2 diabetes progresses, the insulin producing ability of the pancreas decreases slowly.Most often adults, especially those over 45, but as lifestyle is changing now even teens and kids can develop it—often if they’re overweight or inactive.In this case , symptoms develop comparatively slow, most of the time , for years it goes unnoticed. Can it be prevented? The good news is , often, yes. It can be delayed or controlled with having healthy food, regular exercise, and keeping a healthy weight.The main 2 options of getting treated with Diabetic 2 is either manage it with lifestyle changes or be dependent on pills or insulin, depending on how severe it gets.
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