Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Difference between Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

🔹 Cause: Autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas

🔹 Onset: Usually develops in childhood or young adulthood

🔹 Treatment: Requires daily insulin injections or insulin pump

🔹 Risk Factors: Genetic predisposition and environmental triggers

🔹 Prevention: Cannot be prevented with current medical knowledge

Type 2 Diabetes

🔹 Cause: Body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin

🔹 Onset: Usually develops in adults, but increasingly seen in younger people

🔹 Treatment: Can often be managed with diet, exercise, and oral medications; some may need insulin

🔹 Risk Factors: Obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, family history, age

🔹 Prevention: Can often be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes

Common Features

🔹 Both types involve problems with insulin and blood sugar regulation

🔹 Both require regular blood sugar monitoring

🔹 Both can lead to serious complications if left untreated

Understanding these differences is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. While both types of diabetes affect blood sugar levels, their causes, onset, and treatment approaches vary significantly. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes is not linked to diet or exercise habits. It is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers.