The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that results when the body either produces insufficient amounts of insulin or fails to properly process the insulin present in the blood. Produced by the pancreas, insulin is the hormone that helps glucose pass from the blood stream to be absorbed by cells which convert the glucose to energy. Found in foods such as fruits, vegetables and breads, glucose that cannot be converted to a form cells can use results in a buildup of glucose in the blood.

In the case of the diabetic, this overage of glucose causes the body to run out of fuel (energy) and start searching for alternative ways to rid itself of the glucose. During these times the diabetic may experience occurances such as dry skin and/or lips, dehydration, and frequent urinations as the body attempts to "flush" its glucose.

There are two major types of diabetes - type I and type II, with the major differences being their cause, the age in which they are diagnosed, and the treatments that are available.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body produces no insulin. In the case of the type I diabetic, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (called beta cells) are destroyed by an autoimmune response. In other words, normal cells see the insulin-producing/beta cells as a threat and attack them.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed before age 30, and most often in the teens or adolescence. Daily doses of insulin are a necessity to replenish the insufficient levels of glucose in the body.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes develops when your pancreas either

1. doesn't produce enough insulin, or
2. it produces sufficient amounts of insulin but the body is unable to process it.

In both cases of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the build-up of glucose in the bloodstream can bring symptoms like fatigue, thirst, hunger and moodiness.

Over the long-term, or left untreated, diabetes of both types can bring a host of serious (and potentially life-threatening) complications, chief among them heart disease, stroke and kidney failure, but also blindness, nerve damage, circulation and digestive problems, and even depression.

Despite the increased risk of such complications, the person with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, when duly and promptly treated, can expect to live a long, healthy life. Indeed, with the strict dietary and exercise regimen required of diabetics, they are typically in better physical shape than most!.

The Major Differences between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

1. How Do People "Get" Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

   Type 1: It is still not scientifically known what causes Type 1 diabetes. It is thought to be passed genetically and to date, and there are no preventative measures that can be taken to avoid it.

   Type 2: Type 2 diabetes can be brought on by factors like poor nutrition and a non-active lifestyle. Inactivity and obesity are two chief causes of Type 2 diabetes because they can have an effect on the body's glucose levels. Therefore, with Type 2 diabetes, each individual has some say in when and if the disease is acquired.

2. When Do People Develop Diabetes?

   Type 1: Type 1 tends to strike before age 30, with most cases occurring much younger, usually in the teens and adolescence.

   Type 2: Type 2 diabetes tends to develop later in life, and it typically a result of health related issues such as obesity.

3. What are the differences in treatment for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

   Type 1: With the body producing no insulin, daily intake of insulin are required.

   Type 2: In many cases, Type 2 diabetes can be controlled solely by diet and exercise; diabetes medication would augment the regimen, if necessary; injections of insulin would augment it further.

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