which diabetes is more severe type 1 or type 2?

Answer 1

Ok, there is some very good information on what the two types are (although, PLEASE, diabetes - either type- is NOT caused by eating sugar!!!!!). I have type 1, and although it is the more RARE of the two (only 5-10% of people with diabetes have type 1), I don't believe it is the more "severe". I have had type 1 for almost 40 years and work for a national diabetes organization.

Type 1 is usually diagnosed pretty quickly. The SYMPTOMS are severe - unusual thirst, going to the bathroom all the time, dramatic weight loss, etc. So the person who is diagnosed with type 1 usually gets treatment very early on in their disease.

The problem with type 2 is that a person can have it for YEARS and not know it. Those years of having the disease, unchecked, can cause a multitude of complications. It is often those complications (a wound that won't heal, reduced eyesight, numbness, etc.) that will cause the person to finally get diagnosed - AFTER complications have set in.

They are both terrible diseases, and both can cause horrible complications and death. The sooner a person with diabetes is diagnosed and TREATED, the higher chance of not developing complications. Period. It's the complications from diabetes that will kill you (it's the 5th leading cause of death in the US, killing more people than AIDS and breast cancer COMBINED).

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

The word sever is too dramatic, having type 1 and knowing enough about type 2 either is easy enough to live with. Now if you ask which one is emotionally and monetarily taxing, type 1 is. Type 1 needs insulin and shots and having to use a drug to stay alive can be emotionally damaging for some. Type 2 sometimes needs medications but for the most part can be taken care of by exercise and diet which is easy on the pocket book. Insulin and the other medical supplies that I need are not cheap so I need to make sure of I have health insurance.

Answer 5

They're both quite different - and both are serious! Type 2s often end up on insulin too, so although I'd agree a diabetic on insulin is probably more serious than someone without (because of the risk of blood sugar lows) I don't think you can fairly say that type 1 is worse. It depends on the individual diabetic and how they manage it.

Following insulin use, I think it's the complications that make diabetes more serious. Anyone taking control of their diabetes has a much better chance of avoiding the complications and living a long healthy life. Easier said than done, of course! But well worth trying.

Answer 6

Type 1 diabetes your body does not make enough insulin and you have to give yourself insulin injections everyday (usually 2-3x). Type 2 diabetes your body may make some insulin but your body can not use it properly (usually because insufficient amount). Think of insulin like a key. The insulin key unlocks the door of your body's cells to let the nutrients into your cells. If there are no keys your cells get no nutrition. With type one there are no keys. With type 2 you do not have enough keys to open the doors.
Usually with type two people are on medicine you take by mouth, or diet and exercise controlled (MOST are on meds). With type 2 there is a chance by losing weight and eating right that you will not need meds, but most people do need to continue taking meds. Sometimes with type 2 you still need to go on insulin.
With either type you have to be careful what you eat and watch your sugar levels. Exercise is very important as is regular check ups with your doctor. Hope this helps

Answer 7

Both are equally damaging. The side effects and long term effects are the same.

Both have to deal with eyesight problems, kidney problems, heart problems, nerve and muscle damage, weight issues, blood sugar problems, circulation problems and on down the line.

The main difference between type 1 and 2 is that type 1s MUST take insulin to survive. Using diet, exercise and oral medications is simply NOT an option. Most type 2s can manage with diet, exercise and oral medications although there are some that do take insulin.

A person COULD be born with type 1. There are others ways for it to develop also. I'm a type 1 and my diabetes is the result of a traumatic injury. The body can also attack itself, killing off the cells that produce insulin (this is called autoimmune).

Type 2 is generally related to obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition and other bad habits (smoking, drinking).

With the exception of gestational diabetes (occurs in pregnancy and is usually resolved after birth of the baby), once you have diabetes, you have it. There is no cure for it. It can be treated, it can be managed...but there is no cure. I will add that women who develop gestational diabetes have a much higher risk of developing type 2 later in life.

EMT

Type 1, pump user

Answer 8

Type one, in which the body produces no insulin at all.

In type two, the body produces insulin but cannot deliver it to the right places. Type two is (usually) much easier to control.

The above answer is somewhat inaccurate in one respect..... Diet and exercise are extremely important for both types of diabetes. If the sugar levels are kept as close as possible to the normal level, or at least if the HgbA1c is kept at less than 8.0, the complications such as blindness and renal failure are not likely to occur.

The two types of diabetes are, in reality, two totally separate disease entities which are unfortunately known by the same name.
A hundred years ago, both diseases were uniformly fatal.

Answer 9

Type 2 diabetes NIDDM is controlled by diet.

Type 1 IDDM is controlled by insulin injections and diet.

So 1 is the worst.

Answer 10

type 1 diabetes im guessing because type 2 diabetes is common.