### Key Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes and Their Impact on the Body **Causes:** - **Type 1 Diabetes:** This is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The exact cause is unknown but is likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors. - **Type 2 Diabetes:** This is caused by a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle choices such as poor diet, inactivity, and obesity. The body becomes resistant to insulin over time. **Age of Onset:** - **Type 1 Diabetes:** Usually diagnosed in childhood but can occur in adults. - **Type 2 Diabetes:** Typically diagnosed after age 40, but increasingly seen in younger people. **Impact on the Body:** - **Type 1 Diabetes:** The body does not produce insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. Symptoms include thirst, hunger, fatigue, and frequent urination. Long-term complications can include nerve, blood vessel, and organ damage. - **Type 2 Diabetes:** The body produces insulin but becomes less sensitive to it. Symptoms are similar to type 1 but develop more slowly. Long-term complications are also similar. **Symptoms:** - **Type 1 Diabetes:** Symptoms appear quickly and include thirst, hunger, fatigue, frequent urination, weight loss, and blurred vision. - **Type 2 Diabetes:** Symptoms develop slowly and may include frequent infections, fatigue, frequent urination, thirst, hunger, blurred vision, and numbness in the hands or feet. **Diagnosis:** - Both types are diagnosed using blood tests like fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1C, and glucose tolerance tests. Type 1 can also be identified by the presence of specific antibodies. **Treatment:** - **Type 1 Diabetes:** Requires insulin injections and regular blood sugar monitoring. - **Type 2 Diabetes:** Starts with diet and exercise, may include oral medications, and sometimes insulin if the pancreas stops producing it. **Complications:** - Both types can lead to heart disease, eye problems, kidney disease, foot infections, stroke, and high blood pressure. **Prevention and Cure:** - **Type 1 Diabetes:** Currently, there is no way to prevent or cure it. - **Type 2 Diabetes:** Can often be prevented or delayed with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.