“Diabetes is all about insulin levels and sugar levels and what you put in your body.”

– Jay Cutler

As part of Elmwood Hills Healthcare Center’s specialty in providing diabetes management care, we find it important to provide a basic education about this devastating disease.

In this post we highlight the differences between types 1 and 2 in terms of their relation to insulin and their symptoms.

What is Diabetes?

Simply put, your body needs to regulate the sugar, or glucose, you take in, in order to function properly. The way is does this is by having the glucose enter your blood cells through an agent known as insulin. When all goes well, all is well.

This is where diabetes comes into the picture. It affects the insulin in one of two ways.

Basic Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 – No Insulin

People who don’t produce insulin have type 1 diabetes.

The symptoms generally develop quickly and often appear already in childhood or adolescence.

In addition to the typical symptoms, people with type 1 may become moody and lose weight unintentionally.

Type 2 – Problems With Insulin

Type 2, as opposed to type 1, does produce insulin, but something is off. Eventually, people with type 2 often don’t have enough insulin.

Unlike type 1, symptoms often show up only after many years and develop slowly.

The vast majority of people suffering from diabetes in the U.S. have type 2.

Summary

The two forms of diabetes are different in numerous ways. They stem from different causes, have different symptoms and are treated differently as well. Although they share a common name, there is much that separates them and knowing this distinction is important to understanding the treatment process.

Do you have a loved one suffering from diabetes? Which type?

Please share in the comments below.

Disclaimer, or Use At Your Own Risk

The information and advice in this post are for entertainment and informational purposes and should not be viewed as professional opinions. We do not take any responsibility for its content and any action you take based on the information of this post is strictly at your own risk. You should always speak to your doctor regarding medical information and your health.