What's the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. The disease progresses silently as many people don’t even realize they’re living with undiagnosed diabetes.

Two types of diabetes exist—Type 1 and Type 2. Type 2 is far more common than Type 1, accounting for nearly all of the cases except for about 5 to 10%. While both types of diabetes involve insulin, a subtle difference exists between the two:

• Type 1 is the pancreas’ inability to make enough insulin.
• Type 2 is when the body doesn’t use insulin efficiently and requires more insulin to manage sugar levels and insulin resistance.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and helps cells absorb sugar.

Type 1 diabetes is also called juvenile diabetes because diagnosis usually occurs in childhood. Adults can also be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes but it’s less common.

While the exact cause is unknown, certain factors like viruses or genetics are generally recognized as reasons for the disease. 

Type 2 diabetes occurs when cells resist the effects of insulin, and the pancreas isn't functioning properly.he cells are resistant to the action of insulin requiring the pancreas to make more insulin to get cells to respond.  Eventually, the pancreas becomes fatigued and can't keep up with the demand and blood sugar rises. This continual cycle leads to an increase in blood sugar levels, sometimes to a dangerous or risky point.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to help sugar enter the cells in your body for use as energy.  In Type 2 DM, the cells are resistant to the action of insulin requiring the pancreas to make more insulin to get cells to respond.  Eventually, the pancreas becomes fatigued and can't keep up with the demand and your blood sugar rises. 

The longer someone is living with any type of undiagnosed diabetes, the greater the chance of serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease due to the high sugar level in the body.

Diabetes symptoms may appear suddenly even though they could have been present and undetected for a long time. For instance, fatigue or brain fog is a symptom but tying that to diabetes may be difficult in the absence of other clear symptoms.

Common symptoms that affect both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics include:

• Extreme or frequent thirst
• Losing weight without trying to
• Frequent urination or peeing more than usual
• Extreme hunger
• Irritability or mood changes
• Sores that are slow to heal or more frequent infections

Children with undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes may experience unusual bedwetting and excessive weight loss.

After diagnosis, a doctor will help patients and families understand the immediate treatment needs. They may also suggest lifestyle changes or habits that will improve health and help keep blood sugar under control.

Many factors including the diabetes type, age, severity, and other health conditions, will all weigh into the treatment decisions. Generally, treatment will include:

• Medicine or insulin – If the pancreas isn’t functioning at all, insulin may be the only treatment choice. If diabetes has happened over time, as in Type 2 or adult onset, other medications may regulate blood sugar with or without insulin.
• Diet – Regardless of diabetes, diet is a primary factor in managing blood sugar.
• Exercise – Exercise has many benefits for diabetics. Exercise helps lower blood sugar, improves cholesterol, lowers heart disease risk, and regulates blood sugar levels. Living a sedentary lifestyle leads to many health issues beyond diabetes.
• Active management – Diabetics must learn the key health measurements and how to manage them in order to stay healthy. Blood sugar can be tested daily (continuous glucose monitoring) or they can use an A1C test to track blood glucose levels over the past three months. It’s important to also watch blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as diet.

A combination of lifestyle changes and recommended medications can make a difference for almost anyone living with diabetes.

If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with diabetes or are experiencing symptoms, know that many educational resources exist to help you understand the disease and how to manage it. Start by visiting your primary care doctor to find early support and guidance. The American Diabetes Association offers good information within a large support community.

Related articles:

• Diabetes in seniors: get the basics

Content contained on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your health care provider before beginning any new fitness or dietary plan. References provided are for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement of any websites or other sources. Should you have any health-related questions, you should contact your health care provider.

Sources:

• Diabetes Quick Facts | Basics | Diabetes | CDC
• Type 1 Diabetes | ADA
• Type 1 diabetes: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
• Type 2 Diabetes | CDC
• Diabetes - National Pancreas Foundation
• Managing Diabetes - NIDDK (nih.gov)