Difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is much less common than type 2 diabetes. The type 1 diabetes patient has symptoms from childhood or from a very young age. But the type 2 diabetes patient has no symptoms unless diagnosed. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys insulin-releasing cells. In type 2 diabetes, the body loses the ability to use insulin correctly.

What is type 1 diabetes?

In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys insulin-releasing cells and thus stops insulin production. The body cannot absorb sugar (glucose) with insulin, and sugar is essential for energy production in the body. 5 to 10 out of 100 diabetic patients have type 1 diabetes.

What is type 2 diabetes?

In type 2 diabetes, the body loses its ability to use insulin in the correct way known as insulin resistance. The production of insulin is reduced in the pancreas thus causing an insulin deficiency. 90 to 95 out of 100 diabetic patients have type 2 diabetes.

Key differences

1. Type 2 diabetes is far too common than type 1 diabetes.
2. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys insulin-releasing cells, while in type 2 diabetes the body loses its ability to use insulin correctly.
3. In type 1 diabetes, episodes of low blood sugar are common, while in type 2 diabetes there are no episodes of low blood sugar.
4. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can appear before diagnosis, while symptoms of type 2 diabetes do not appear before diagnosis.
5. Type 2 diabetes is associated with excess body weight, while type 1 diabetes is not associated with excess body weight.
6. Type 1 insulin is generally treated with insulin, while type 2 diabetes is initially treated without medication.
7. Type 1 cannot be prevented without insulin, but type 2 can be addressed with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
8. Type 1 is caused by an autoimmune attack on insulin cells, but behind type 2 diabetes, the immune system does not attack insulin cells.