Difference Between Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes | Diabetes-GuidesType 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are not the same disease. Whilst both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are characterised by having higher than normal blood sugar levels, the cause and development of the conditions are different. In general difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes; people with diabetes either have a total lack of insulin (type 1 diabetes) or they have too little insulin or cannot use insulin effectively (type 2 diabetes).
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes affects the body such that it can no longer produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas to be destroyed, preventing the body from being able to produce enough insulin to adequately regulate blood glucose levels.Type 1 diabetes may sometimes be referred to as juvenile diabetes, however, this term is generally regarded as outdated as, whilst it is commonly diagnosed in children, the condition can develop at any age.
Insulin dependent diabetes is another term that may sometimes be used to describe type 1 diabetes.
Because type 1 diabetes causes the loss of insulin production, it therefore requires regular insulin administration either by injection or by insulin pump.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
Type 1 diabetes symptoms should be acted upon immediately, as without treatment this type of diabetes can be deadly.Symptoms include:
- Above average thirst
- Tiredness during the day
- Needing to pee regularly
- Unexplained weight loss
- Genital itchiness
Type 1 diabetes tends to develop more slowly in adults than it does in children and in some cases type 1 diabetes in adults may be misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes in adults over 35 years old will sometimes be referred to as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adulthood (LADA).
See more information on recognising the signs of type 1 diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes Causes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease; the body's immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. The exact cause is not known, but it's probably a combination of the genes a person is born with and something in the environment that triggers the genes to become active.Type 1 diabetes is caused by a fault in the body’s immune response in which the immune system mistakenly targets and kills beta cells, the cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin.
As more insulin producing cells in the pancreas are killed off, the body can no longer control its blood glucose levels and the symptoms of diabetes begin to appear.
What causes the initial fault in the immune system is yet to be discovered, however, research suggests that the condition results from a combination of genetic predisposition with an environmental trigger.
What triggers the immune system to behave this way is yet to be conclusively identified. To date, the strongest evidence points towards a virus as being the most likely trigger.
Diagnosis Type 1 Diabetes
If you show signs of having diabetes, your doctor may use blood or urine tests to diagnose diabetes. Your doctor should consider which type of diabetes you have as this can affect how your diabetes is treated. If the type of diabetes is unclear, your doctor may decide to carry out one or more of the following tests:- Ketone test
- GAD autoantibodies test
- C-pepide test
Because type 1 diabetes can develop quickly within children and young adults, a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes should be followed by same day referral to a multidisciplinary paediatric diabetes care team.
Transcript
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to kill off its own insulin producing cells. Unlike type 2 diabetes, there exists no link between body size and type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes usually starts in childhood but can start in adulthood too. Type 1 diabetes can come quickly and symptoms can get stronger by the day. The earlier it’s diagnosed the better. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are a reaction to the high amount of sugar in the blood.
The body will try to flush out excess sugar through urine which means you will be going to the wee a lot; especially at night, drinking much more than normal, you may also notice itching down below. Less insulin means the sugar in your blood can’t fuel your body cells so you’ll feel tired and lethargic, and may experience rapid weight loss.
If diabetes is left to develop, you may notice you get either blurred vision or start vomiting. If you notice these symptoms act quickly and arrange to see a doctor immediately.
If you have some of the symptoms, arrange to see a doctor who will take a finger prick blood glucose test or possibly a urine test. The doctor may be able to diagnose you there and then.
Type 1 diabetes is treated by taking insulin You will start by taking injections and can either continue taking injections or may move onto being treated by an insulin pump.
You will need to regularly test your blood, with finger prick tests. Injections and blood tests do get easier over time. You will also need to be aware of what you’re eating, particularly how much carbohydrate you’re having.
We don’t know. Research hasn’t been able to give a clear answer to this yet. What we do know is that genetics plays a part and there seems to be a link with vitamin D, although the link is not currently well understood.
A diagnosis of diabetes is not all doom and gloom. With good control you can lead a long and happy life. People with type 1 diabetes have been known to live into their nineties.
Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes
The impairment of the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin in type 1 diabetes means that insulin treatment is necessary.Most people will take insulin by injection with insulin pens. Insulin can also be delivered by wearing an insulin pump. Use of an insulin pump will be considered in people that express an interest in having one and that meet certain eligibility criteria.
It is important that you are given education on how to balance insulin doses with dietary intake and physical activity and how to use blood glucose testing to help you control your diabetes.
Staying physically active and exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet are also important towards maintaining good blood glucose control and minimising the risk of long term diabetes complications. Although diet and exercise have a role to play in type 1 diabetes management, they cannot reverse the disease or eliminate the need for insulin.
Type 1 Diabetes and Complications
Type 1 diabetes is a serious condition which can carry a significant risk of both short term and long term complications.Short term complications
Short term complications can occur if blood glucose levels go too low or if insulin injections are missed. The short term complications that can occur are:- Hypoglycemia - too low blood sugar levels
- Ketoacidosis - which can occur if insulin doses are missed or blood glucose levels become too high
Long term complications
Type 1 diabetes can lead to the development of the following long term diabetes complications:- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Retinopathy
- Kidney disease
- Neuropathy
Whilst the list of complications is a scary prospect, the chances of developing these can be significantly reduced by maintaining good control of your blood glucose levels and ensuring you attend all your diabetic complication screening appointments.
Prevention Type 1 Diabetes
In future, research may find a way to halt the development of type 1 diabetes but, to date, no intervention has successfully preventing type 1 diabetes in humans.*****
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common long-term health conditions Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common long-term health conditionsType 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that results in hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) due to the body:
Being ineffective at using the insulin it has produced; also known as insulin resistance and/or
Being unable to produce enough insulin
Type 2 diabetes is characterised by the body being unable to metabolise glucose (a simple sugar). This leads to high levels of blood glucose which over time may damage the organs of the body.
From this, it can be understood that for someone with diabetes something that is food for ordinary people can become a sort of metabolic poison. This is why people with diabetes are advised to avoid sources of dietary sugar.
The good news is for very many people with type 2 diabetes this is all they have to do to stay well. If you can keep your blood sugar lower by avoiding dietary sugar, likely you will never need long-term medication.
Type 2 diabetes was formerly known as non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes due to its occurrence mainly in people over 40. However, type 2 diabetes is now becoming more common in young adults, teens and children and accounts for roughly 90% of all diabetes cases worldwide.
How serious is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a serious medical condition that often requires the use of anti-diabetic medication, or insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control. However, the development of type 2 diabetes and its side effects (complications) can be prevented if detected and treated at an early stage.In recent years, it has become apparent that many people with type 2 diabetes are able to reverse diabetes through methods including low-carb diets, very-low-calorie diets and exercise.
For guidance on healthy eating to improve blood glucose levels and weight and to fight back against insulin resistance, join the Low Carb Program.
Following pre-diabetes or metabolic disorder, type 2 diabetes can potentially be avoided through diet and exercise.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
The cause of type 2 diabetes is multifactorial. People inherit genes that make them susceptible to type 2, but lifestyle factors, like obesity and inactivity, are also important. In type 2 diabetes, at least in the early stages, there is enough insulin, but the body becomes resistant to it. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include a family history of the disease, a poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity. African-Americans, Latin Americans, and certain Native American groups have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes than Caucasian Americans.Type 2 diabetes occurs when the hormone insulin is not used effectively by the cells in your body. Insulin is needed for cells to take in glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and convert it into energy.
Ineffective use of insulin results in the body becoming resistant to insulin - also known as insulin resistance, which in turn causes blood sugar levels to rise (hyperglycemia).
In advanced stages, type 2 diabetes may cause damage to insulin producing cells in the pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin production for your body's needs.
Type 2 diabetes risk factors
A number of factors can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.These include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Having a waist size of 31.5 inches or more (women) or more than 37 inches (men)
- Eating an unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Having a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes
- Having high blood pressure or raised cholesterol levels
- Being of South Asian and African-Caribbean descent
- Smoking
Type 2 diabetes has become one of the biggest long term health conditions in the UK and the world. Over 2 million people in the UK have type 2 diabetes.
The symptoms of type 2 can come on very slowly and often the signs can be dismissed as simply getting old. The sooner diabetes can be diagnosed the better as damage can sometimes be done to the body by diabetes before it is diagnosed.
With type 2 diabetes being so common we can all do with knowing the risk factors and symptoms.
The common risk factors are body size: being overweight and particularly if you’re carrying extra weight round your middle.
Age: people’s risk of type 2 diabetes goes up with age. Having a close family member such as a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
Ethnicity: people with an Asian, Middle Eastern or African-Caribbean background have a higher risk. High blood pressure is also closely associated with type 2 diabetes
Remember symptoms can come on very gradually. Don’t be tempted to think that if you’ve had these symptoms for a long time that they must be normal.
Type 2 diabetes may either be diagnosed by a urine test or a blood test.
If these methods are not clear cut, you may be asked to take an oral glucose tolerance test.
There are a wide range of treatment options to control type 2 diabetes. Some people may be able to control diabetes through lifestyle changes alone. Some people may be put onto tablets. Others may go onto injections, such as insulin
When you’re diagnosed with diabetes you will most likely need to make some changes to your lifestyle. Cut down on smoking and drinking. Take more physical activity - preferably each day. Eat a healthy, balanced diet - which you may find needs to be lower in carbohydrate than you might be used to.
Is there an age where I'm more at risk of type 2?
Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes as it was primarily seen in middle-aged adults over the age of 40.However, in recent years, cases of type 2 diabetes have become more common in young adults, teens and children. This increase has been connected to climbing levels of obesity.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Extreme tiredness
- Sudden loss of muscle mass
Some of these symptoms are the same for type 1 diabetes, but in type 2 diabetes they tend to develop more slowly over a period of months or years, making it harder sometimes for people to recognise them as signs of an underlying illness.
In fact, many people have type 2 diabetes for a long period of time before being diagnosed with the disease.
Type 2 diabetes is frequently diagnosed following the results of either a fasting plasma glucose test or an oral glucose tolerance test. The condition can also be detected through a general health check with your GP.
The condition can be detected through diabetes screening or may be picked up as part of other health checks.
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
First line treatment for type 2 diabetes typically includes a combination of diet modification with regular and appropriate exercise.Treatment for type 2 diabetes should take into account an individual’s needs and preferences into account. People with diabetes should be given the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and work together with healthcare professionals.
The NICE guidelines encourage having high-fibre, low-glycemic-index (low-GI) carbohydrate in the diet. This allows a good amount of flexibility and it is possible to follow a range of diets, including lower-carb and low-calorie, whilst ensuring you get a good source of low-GI foods such as vegetables, beans and pulses.
Your health team should help you with setting recommendations for carbohydrate and alcohol intake that work for you.
Low carb
Adopting a lower-carb diet can help with weight loss and lowering of blood glucose levels. This is because metabolised carbohydrate turns into glucose in the bloodstream and has an impact on blood sugar.Low calorie
Meanwhile, a 2011 Newcastle University study, known as the Newcastle diet, examined the benefits of a low-calorie diet. This involved reducing food intake to 600 calories per day for 8 weeks. After 3 months, 7 of the 11 people studied were free of type 2 diabetes.Blood glucose testing
People with type 2 diabetes can benefit greatly from testing their blood sugar levels as this provides immediate feedback on how food, lifestyle and illness affects blood glucose levels. Regular, structured blood glucose testing (also known as self-monitoring of blood glucose or SMBG) has been shown to improve long-term diabetes control by reducing HbA1c and the risk of complications.Medication
People with type 2 diabetes may also be prescribed tablets and/or injectable medication. Metformin is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for people with type 2 diabetes and helps the body to better respond to insulin.Maintaining good control of blood glucose levels, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, is vital in reducing the risk of diabetic complications. If you are overweight, weight loss can often help to lessen the extent of diabetes symptoms.
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Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes), accounts for 5 to 10 out of 100 people who have diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system destroys the cells that release insulin, eventually eliminating insulin production from the body. Without insulin, cells cannot absorb sugar (glucose), which they need to produce energy.
Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes) can develop at any age. It most commonly becomes apparent during adulthood. But type 2 diabetes in children is rising. Type 2 diabetes accounts for the vast majority of people who have diabetes-90 to 95 out of 100 people. In type 2 diabetes, the body isn't able to use insulin the right way. This is called insulin resistance. As type 2 diabetes gets worse, the pancreas may make less and less insulin. This is called insulin deficiency.
How are these diseases different?
Differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
| Type 1 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
|---|---|
| Symptoms usually start in childhood or young adulthood. People often seek medical help, because they are seriously ill from sudden symptoms of high blood sugar. | The person may not have symptoms before diagnosis. Usually the disease is discovered in adulthood, but an increasing number of children are being diagnosed with the disease. |
| Episodes of low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia) are common. | There are no episodes of low blood sugar level, unless the person is taking insulin or certain diabetes medicines. |
| It cannot be prevented. | It can be prevented or delayed with a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating sensibly, and exercising regularly. |
Both types of diabetes greatly increase a person's risk for a range of serious complications. Although monitoring and managing the disease can prevent complications, diabetes remains the leading cause of blindness and kidney failure. It also continues to be a critical risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and foot or leg amputations.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes have different causes Type 1 and type 2 have different causes
Whilst both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are characterised by having higher than normal blood sugar levels, the cause and development of the conditions are different.
Confused over which type of diabetes you have?
It's not always clear what type of diabetes someone has, despite what many people think.
For instance, the typical assumption is that people with type 2 diabetes will be overweight and not inject insulin, while people with type 1 diabetes will be, if anything, underweight.
But these perceptions just aren't always true. Around 20% of people with type 2 diabetes are of a healthy weight when diagnosed, and many of them are dependent on insulin.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes share the problem of high levels of blood sugar. The inability to control blood sugar causes the symptoms and the complications of both types of diabetes. But type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are two different diseases in many ways. According to the latest (2014) estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 29.1 million people, or 9.3 percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes. Type 1 diabetes affects just 5 percent of those adults, with type 2 diabetes affecting up to 95 percent. Here’s what else you need to know to be health-savvy in the age of the diabetes epidemic.
Similarly, people with type 1 diabetes will in some cases be overweight.
Because both types of diabetes can be so varied and unpredictable, it's often difficult to know which type of diabetes someone has.
It's not safe to assume that an overweight person with high blood glucose levels has type 2 diabetes, because the cause of their condition might in fact be attributable to type 1.
In some cases, when the type of diabetes is in doubt, your health team may need to carry out specialised tests to work out which type of diabetes you have. This way, they can recommend the most appropriate treatment for your diabetes.
Common differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Despite the uncertainty that often surrounds a diagnosis of diabetes, there are a few common characteristics of each diabetes type.Please note that these differences are based on generalisations - exceptions are common. For instance, the perception of type 1 diabetes isn't strictly true: many cases are diagnosed in adulthood.
This table should be seen as a rough guide to the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, rather than hard and fast rules.
Common differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
| Type 1 Diabetes | Type 2 Diabetes |
|---|---|
| Often diagnosed in childhood | Usually diagnosed in over 30 year olds |
| Not associated with excess body weight | Often associated with excess body weight |
| Often associated with higher than normal ketone levels at diagnosis | Often associated with high blood pressure and/or cholesterol levels at diagnosis |
| Treated with insulin injections or insulin pump | Is usually treated initially without medication or with tablets |
| Cannot be controlled without taking insulin | Sometimes possible to come off diabetes medication |
How type 1 diabetes develops
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which means it results from the immune system mistakenly attacking parts of the body. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the immune system incorrectly targets insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.Nobody knows why this occurs, or how to stop it. The immune systems of people with type 1 diabetes continue to attack beta cells until the pancreas is incapable of producing insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to inject themselves with insulin to compensate for the death of their beta cells. Everyone with type 1 diabetes is insulin-dependent.
How type 2 diabetes develops
Type 2 diabetes is different. The autoimmune systems of people with type 2 diabetes don't attack beta cells. Instead, type 2 diabetes is characterised by the body losing its ability to respond to insulin. This is known as insulin resistance.The body compensates for the ineffectiveness of its insulin by producing more, but it can't always produce enough. Over time, the strain placed on the beta cells by this level of insulin production can destroy them, diminishing insulin production.
Type 2 diabetes and insulin injections
People with type 2 diabetes may need to take insulin injections, usually for one of two main reasons:
Low sensitivity to insulin: The more excess body weight we carry, the less sensitive we are to insulin. Being insensitive to insulin means insulin doesn't reduce blood glucose levels as much as it should. People with low insulin sensitivity often need to be injected with insulin to avoid hyperglycemia.
Beta cell failure: If you develop insulin resistance, you need more of it to keep your blood glucose levels stable. More insulin production means more work for the pancreas. Over time, the beta cells can become burnt out by the constant strain, and stop producing insulin altogether. Eventually, you can get to a similar situation as someone with type 1 diabetes, in which your body is incapable of producing the amount of insulin you need to keep blood glucose levels under control. Insulin injections are necessary in these situations.