Diabetes is on the rise worldwide. In 2022, 830 million women, men, and children worldwide had the disease, compared with 200 million in 1990.
Among the many types of diabetes, the ones you hear most about are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. As with all forms of diabetes, something interferes with the way your body produces or uses insulin, a hormone your cells need to transport glucose for energy.
However, essential differences separate these common forms of diabetes. If you have Type 1 diabetes, for instance, you may need to supplement with insulin injections. If you have Type 2, you probably won’t need to do that, but you do need to take other measures.
Kimberly Bolling, MD, a caring and expert clinician, diagnoses both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. At our office in Bowie, Maryland, you get the care and medical support you need to live with this challenging disease.
So, what are the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes? Find out how those differences affect treatment.
If you have Type 1 diabetes, your immune system erroneously attacks the beta cells that create insulin in your pancreas. Without sufficient beta cells, your pancreas can’t make insulin, or can’t make enough of it to fuel your cells.
When you don’t have insulin to transport glucose into your cells, it remains in your blood vessels. High blood glucose levels damage the lining of your blood vessels and can also damage your nerves.
Usually, you’re diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a younger age. However, you can develop it at any age. At this point, researchers aren’t sure why or how Type 1 diabetes develops or how to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Because your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, you may need to take oral or injectable insulin so your cells can use glucose as energy. With Type 1 diabetes, though, lifestyle changes can also be helpful, whether you use insulin or not.
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, researchers understand more about how Type 2 diabetes develops. In Type 2 diabetes, the beta cells in your body create the insulin your cells need to fuel themselves with glucose. However, due to diet and other lifestyle factors, your body can’t keep up with your cells' need for insulin.
You become “insulin resistant,” which means you need more and more insulin to transport your dietary glucose from your bloodstream to your cells. Eventually, you can’t keep your blood glucose at normal levels, leading to complications, such as damaged blood vessels and nerves.
In most cases, you first try to control your Type 2 diabetes with lifestyle factors, such as a healthy, whole-foods diet, and plenty of water and exercise. However, depending on your degree of insulin resistance, you may also require oral or injected insulin.
The good news is that no matter what type of diabetes you have — and no matter whether you use insulin — you can manage your disease and prevent complications by adopting a healthier lifestyle. In some cases, you might even be able to reverse Type 2 diabetes.
The Diabetes Plate is a meal plan that starts with a 9-inch plate. You fill half of it with non-starchy vegetables, such as:
There's a long list to choose from! Next, devote one-fourth of the plate to lean proteins, such as grass-fed lean beef, chicken, or fish. You can also choose vegan options, such as tofu or falafel.
The final quarter is for complex carbohydrates. Consider choices such as sweet potatoes, yogurt, or fruit. Any carbohydrate can raise your blood sugar, so be careful with portion size. Finally, add some healthy fats, such as olive oil, to make your food extra delicious and help build strong cells.
Drink plenty of water. You can also have unsweetened beverages, such as plain tea or coffee. If you need help losing weight, Dr. Bolling may recommend medically supervised weight loss.
If you’re new to exercise, let Dr. Bolling know. She conducts a complete physical and designs an exercise regimen that takes into account your fitness level as well as your ultimate goals.
You need to monitor your blood glucose when you exercise. Even though regular exercise helps stabilize blood sugar, sometimes exercise can spike your glucose.
Find out how to stay safe and keep your blood glucose levels stable by contacting Dr. Kimberly L. Bolling for diabetes care today. Either call us or request an appointment online.
