Question

"You are on-scene with an adult patient who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes but is unsure of what type. What is the primary difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

A) Patients with type 1 diabetes take only insulin and have an onset of the disease late in life, whereas patients with type 2 diabetes take only oral medications to combat insulin resistance and have an onset early in life
B) Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are treated best with insulin and the disease can strike at any time in life
C) Patients with type 1 diabetes usually take oral glucose-control medications, and patients with type 2 diabetes take insulin only to control their blood sugar
D) Patients with type 1 diabetes usually take insulin and have an onset of the disease early in life, whereas patients with type 2 diabetes usually take oral medications to combat insulin resistance and have an onset later in life"

Answer 1

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks insulin-producing cells, while type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin. Type 1 diabetes typically develops before adulthood and requires insulin injections, whereas type 2 diabetes is more common and can be managed through diet, exercise, and medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas. This means that people with type 1 diabetes lack the insulin needed to regulate blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed before adulthood and requires insulin injections for survival.

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is the most common form of diabetes. It occurs when body cells become resistant to insulin, so even though the pancreas may still produce insulin, the body cannot use it effectively. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and can be managed through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, along with medications and sometimes insulin.