Diabetes

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2?

Type 1 diabetes is and autoimmune disease and is characterised by the body’s inability to produce insulin. To counteract this, people who have been diagnosed with this type must inject themselves with insulin shots at regular intervals. Because there is no cure or way of reversing this condition, this will need to be done throughout one's entire lifetime.

Unlike the first form of the condition, Type 2 occurs when the cells of the body are unable to respond properly to the way insulin is produced or if the body is producing insulin but not enough of it. Usually this can be treated with a controlled healthy diet and careful monitoring of blood sugar levels. However, if the condition is progressive, diabetes treatment and medication may be required to help manage it. Many people suffer from this as a result of obesity and poor diet, with this form of the disease being far more common than Type 1.

What are the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes?

Both Type 1 and Type 2 present similar diabetes symptoms. These include an increase in thirst, fatigue, weight loss, genital itching and an increased need to urinate. Type 1 may also cause cramps, constipation, skin infections and vision changes.

What sets them apart is generally the speed at which the diabetes symptoms present themselves. Type 1 symptoms are likely to develop faster and are usually more intense, where Type 2 symptoms are normally slower and milder. This is why the condition can go unnoticed for several years.

What causes Type 2 diabetes?

Generally it’s considered that genetics plays the largest role in the development of Type 2 diabetes. If a child’s parents suffer from Type 2, there is a 1 in 3 chance it will affect them as well. However, other factors include age, physical inactivity and obesity. In rare cases, it may also be caused by certain medications although this is not widespread. Diabetes causes are therefore varied, but if you believe you suffer from the condition, the best course of action is to simply consult your doctor if you experience any diabetes symptoms. The condition can be diagnosed through a simple blood test.

Can Type 2 diabetes be treated?

If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a change in diet and increased exercise will probably be advised first before any diabetes treatment. For most individuals this is enough to help manage and control the condition. However, if this is not effective or the condition is severe, a diabetes treatment such as Metformin, which comes in tablet form, may be prescribed. The medication belongs to a group of treatments known as biguanides, but others may include glitazones, DPP-4 inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, sulphonylureas and prandial glucose regulators.

Can I buy my diabetes treatment online?

Yes. At euroClinix we offer Metformin as a diabetes treatment for patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes after they complete a simply online consultation. This is to ensure your suitability for the diabetes treatment and your safety when using the medication. Once approved by our doctors, they will issue a prescription and our pharmacy will dispense and deliver it straight to your door.