How To Understand The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diagnosis

A physician can diagnose type 2 diabetes using a random blood test, an oral glucose intolerance test, a fasting blood sugar test, or a HbA1c test. A blood test may need to be conducted more than once before a diagnosis can be made. In some cases, several different blood tests may be ordered before making a diagnosis. A blood test may be ordered if a patient has a family history of diabetes and experiences one or more symptoms.

Treatment

There is no cure for type 2 diabetes; however, it can be managed or even reversed with dietary intervention. Removing processed or refined sugars and carbohydrates from the diet may be able to reverse diabetes and the need for insulin injections. Other forms of treatment include surgery and various types of injectable medications. Because the disease may change and progress over time, patients may need to change medications based on their needs.