Type 1 Diabetes vs Type 2 Diabetes

The differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes relate to who it affects and what happens in the body because of this disease. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in younger people and is caused because the body cannot produce enough insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, the body cannot use the insulin it produces. This disease is usually diagnosed in adults.

Comparison chart

Improve this chart Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes
Definition: Beta cells in pancreas are being attacked by body's own cells and therefore can't produce insulin to take sugar out of the blood stream. Insulin is not produced. Diet related insulin release is so large and frequent that receptor cells have become less sensitive to the insulin. This insulin resistance results in less sugar being removed from the blood.
Diagnosis: Genetic, environmental and auto-immune factors, idiopathic Genetic, obesity (central adipose), physical inactivity, high/low birth weight, GDM, poor placental growth, metabolic syndrome
Warning Signs: Increased thirst & urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision and extreme tiredness, glycouria Feeling tired or ill, frequent urination (especially at night), unusual thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections and slow wound healing, asymptomatic
Commonly Afflicted Groups: Children/teens Adults, elderly, certain ethnic groups
Prone ethnic groups: All more common in African American, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander
Bodily Effects: Beleived to be triggered autoimmune destruction of the beta cells; autoimmune attack may occur following a viral infection such as mumps, rubells cytomegalovirus Appears to be related to aging, sedentary life-style, genetic influence, but mostly obesity
Common physical attributes found: Mostly Normal or Thin Mostly Overweight or Obese
You have this when: Your body makes too little or no insulin. Your body can still produce insulin but does not use it properly (insulin resistance)
Estimated percentage of occurance: 5% -10% of the 171 million of people affected by diabetes in 2000 90% - 95%-of total cases. Although the projected number of Americans that will have type II diabetes in the year 2030 will double from 171 million to 366 million cases
Affected age group: Between 5 - 25 (maximum numbers in this age group; Type 1 can affect at any age) Until recently, the only type of diabetes that was common in children was Type 1 diabetes, most children who have Type 2 diabetes have a family history of diabetes, are overweight, and are not very physically active. Usually develops around puberty
Glucose Channels/receptors: Open and absorb glucose into cell to be utilized by processes after the induction of insulin Are unable to open and absorb glucose, therefore glucose cannot be utilized by processes; as a result the glucose stays in the blood stream
Cure: None Physical exercise, healthy loss of weight & diet control
Treatment: Insulin Injections, dietary plan, regular check up of blood sugar levels, daily exercise Goals: optimal glucose, prevent/treat chronic complications, enhance health with food/PA, individual nutrition needs Diet, exercise, weight loss, and in many cases medication. Insulin Injections may also be used, SMBG
Dependency: Insulin-dependent Not insulin-dependent
Onset: Rapid (weeks) - often present acutely with ketoacidosis Slow (years)

Contents

edit What causes Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which your body cannot properly store and use fuel for energy. The fuel that your body needs is called glucose. Glucose comes from foods such as breads, cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruits and some vegetables. To use glucose, your body needs insulin. Insulin is made by a gland in your body called the pancreas.

You have diabetes because either:

  1. Your body makes too little or no insulin. This is called Type 1 diabetes.
  2. Your body can't use the insulin it makes. This is called Type 2 diabetes.

edit To Insulin or Not to Insulin?

Type 1 (a.k.a. juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent) diabetes develops due to a virus or autoimmune disorder in which the body does not recognize an organ as its own and attacks it. To be exact the body's immune system destroys certain cells in the pancreas. Those so-called beta cells make insulin, a hormone that prompts cells to absorb glucose. Because of this disorder the body stops making insulin. When the body doesn't produce or process enough insulin, it causes an excess of the blood sugar glucose. Glucose, the body's main source of energy, comes from the food we eat and is also produced by the liver and muscles. And when the body's level of glucose is too high, that is the chronic condition known as diabetes. Because people with Type 1 diabetes can’t produce insulin, they are required to take insulin every day.

Comparison of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 (a.k.a. adult-onset or non insulin dependent) diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:

  • Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
  • Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

Because of low level of Insulin, the body is unable to keep the sugar in the blood within a "normal" range. Type 2 diabetes is treated initially with meal planning and exercise. Sometimes medications need to be added to keep blood glucoses in the "target" range.

edit Who is Affected? (Risk factors)

Only about 5%-10% of diagnosed diabetes cases are Type 1. The disease is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can strike at any age. Scientists do not know yet exactly what causes it but suspect the disease involves a combination of genetic, environmental and autoimmune factors.

A person who is overweight, does not exercise and is over 30 or if the person has close relatives who have Type 2 diabetes has a very high risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. Higher-risk ethnic groups include African American, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander American heritage.

You are more likely to get diabetes if you smoke, have high blood pressure, have a cholesterol problem, such as high trigylcerides (250 or more) or low good cholesterol (HDL), or if you had gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds. You can take a diabetes risk test here.

edit When do you get Type 1/ Type 2 diabetes?

  • Type 1 diabetes is most common in kids or young adults. However, this type can develop at any time.
  • Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in people who are 40, overweight, and have a family history of type 2 diabetes. However, more and more kids are developing type 2 diabetes.

edit Video explaining the difference

edit Symptoms

  • Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision and extreme tiredness.
  • The symptoms of type 2 diabetes appear gradually and are vaguer than those associated with type 1 diabetes. Symptoms include feeling tired or ill, frequent urination (especially at night), unusual thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections and slow wound healing.

edit Treatment

  • Type 1 Diabetes patients are required to take insulin injections to move sugar from the bloodstream.
  • Type 2 Diabetes patients can use diet, exercise, weight loss, and in many cases medication as the treatment. Occasionally, someone with Type 2 may be placed on insulin to better control blood sugar. This type of diabetes is associated with physical inactivity and obesity.

edit Similarities

People with type 1 and 2 experience many of the same symptoms. They also both need to keep close tabs on the amount of sugar in their blood. It’s also very important for people with type 1 and 2 to keep in close contact with their diabetes specialist (a.k.a. endocrinologist). Your doctor works with other professionals (diabetes nurse educators, dietitian educator) to give you the best care possible. You should see your treatment team at least once every three months.

edit See Also

edit References

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