The term diabetes does not refer to a single disease. Instead, it is a collective term that can refer to different types of diabetic illnesses, all of which affect how the body is able to utilize glucose in your blood circulatory system. The most common include type 1 and type 2 diabetes. There are similarities between them, but it is important not to get confused by the differences. Due to the confusion and similarities, many people want to know if type 2 diabetes can turn into type 1 diabetes.
In this post, we are going to take a closer look at type 1 and 2 diabetes and consider whether it is possible for one to turn into the other. The focus here is on whether your type 2 diabetes could potentially lead to the development of type 1.
Can Type 2 Turn Into Type 1 Diabetes?
One of the most common questions that people with type 2 diabetes often have for their healthcare provider is whether or not they could develop type 1.
The short answer to this question is no. If you have type 2 diabetes, you will not develop type 1 diabetes due to the progression of the disease. When it comes to understanding this question, it is important to take a closer look at the causes of these types of diabetes. Each type is related to specific actions that occur in the human body and they are not the same. This is also why you will find that the treatments for type 1 and type 2 are also not similar.
Causes Behind Type 1 Diabetes
When it comes to an understanding why type 2 does not progress into type 1, it is important to ensure you have a thorough understanding of what causes them. Type 1 diabetes is actually an autoimmune disease. This means it is the immune system that goes awry and starts to attack healthy tissue in the body, essentially thinking that the tissue is an invader. With type 1 diabetes, in particular, the immune system starts to attack islet beta cells that are part of the pancreas.
These beta cells play a large role in the production of insulin in the human body. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose enter cells. Insulin attaches to glucose. Cells then allow insulin to enter, which is when glucose is released and used as a source of energy. In severe cases, these cells may be completely destroyed. In this case, the pancreas is unable to make any insulin, which means glucose will continue to remain in the bloodstream.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
The cause behind type 2 diabetes is different, as with this condition, beta cells in the pancreas remain functional and continue to produce insulin hormones. This is also the more common type of diabetes. Among those who are diagnosed with diabetes, type 2 affects up to 95% of cases.
When you have type 2 diabetes, it usually means cells in your body have become resistant to the insulin that your pancreas creates. This leads to your pancreas working harder to produce more insulin, which creates a vicious cycle. The more insulin your pancreas creates, the more resistance your cells build against the hormone. You’ll usually first develop a condition known as insulin resistance. If you do not implement a management program that helps with the reversal of insulin resistance, then it can transition to stage 2 diabetes. This particular stage is sometimes also called prediabetes. Research suggests that around 96 million adults in the United States have prediabetes, but only 20% of these individuals know about it.
Differences In Treatment
Apart from the causes, there are also differences in how doctors go about treating type 1 and 2 diabetes. This can further help you understand how they differ and why type 2 will not lead to the development of type 1.
With type 1 diabetes, your body lacks a sufficient supply of insulin to carry glucose to all of your cells. This is why the standard treatment for type 1 diabetes includes the use of insulin. The insulin is usually administered with an injection to ensure it enters your bloodstream quickly. Your care provider will constantly check up on your blood glucose control and make appropriate adjustments to your insulin dose as needed.
In people with type 2 diabetes, a combination of different therapies can be used to help regulate blood sugar control. There are medicines that can increase the amount of insulin the body makes, such as Sulphonylureas. With more insulin in the body, a higher concentration of glucose can be sent into cells for energy production.
Other medications that are sometimes used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes:
- DPP-4 Inhibitors help to lower blood glucose without causing serious side effects.
- Biguanide can be used to increase insulin sensitivity in the body.
- Thiazolidinediones may also be used to create an increased insulin sensitivity, but the medication does come with certain side effects.
- SGLT2 inhibitors help to reduce glucose absorption by the kidneys and rather lead to the excretion of excess sugar through urine. This medication can lead to infections and an increase in urination.
Apart from these treatments, there are some cases where type 2 diabetes is treated with insulin injections. There are various kinds of insulin that can be used in these cases. A doctor will first need to carefully assess the patient and their condition to determine what the most effective treatment is for the severity of type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion
Even though type 1 and type 2 diabetes have similar effects on the body, they are not linked to the same causes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body’s cells become too resistant to insulin in the blood circulatory system. This eventually makes it harder for glucose to enter cells. People with type 1 diabetes have an autoimmune disease that attacks certain cells that are in the pancreas. This is also why you should understand how each type affects your body and obtain the right treatment to ensure you are able to keep your blood glucose levels stable.