The human body uses a simple sugar called glucose to produce the energy needed for survival. Glucose is found in everything from breads to fruits, and we consume it every time we eat. Unfortunately, sometimes our bodies have trouble producing or using insulin, the hormone that lets the body use glucose.
If your body has insulin problems, that means glucose won't be absorbed into your cells correctly. Instead, it will sit in your blood stream and cause high blood sugar levels. These high glucose levels are what create diabetes, and are at the heart of the health problems associated with the condition.
The two primary sub-categories of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. While both forms of diabetes involve difficulty using insulin, they each have unique causes.
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes, most commonly occurs in children. Type 1 diabetes happens when the body's immune system attacks the pancreas, the organ that produces insulin. As a result, the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
Since their bodies lack the ability make enough insulin, people with type 1 diabetes take manufactured insulin to lower their blood sugar and absorb glucose. Types of insulin you may need to use include rapid-acting insulin, long-acting insulin, and in-between choices. The kind of insulin you use will depend on how quickly you need to lower your blood sugar, and whether it's daytime or nighttime.
People with type 1 diabetes may also be prescribed additional medications to manage side effects of their condition. Since high blood pressure is a well-known risk of type 1 diabetes, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) may be prescribed to help avoid this issue. A cholesterol-lowering drug may also be recommended for similar reasons.
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is also called adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes. However, despite its name, type 2 diabetes can also happen to children.
When type 2 diabetes occurs, your body both fails to produce enough insulin or resists its effects. The exact reason why this occurs is unknown, although certain risk factors are apparent. These include, but are not limited to, obesity, inactivity, family history, and previously experiencing gestational diabetes.
To help manage diabetes, people with type 2 use insulin to lower their blood sugar. Insulin can be injected with a needle, or taken with an insulin pump that connects directly to the body.
Another form of medication that may be prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes is metformin, a drug that lowers the amount of glucose your liver produces. Glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glimepiride (Amaryl), and glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase) may also be prescribed in an attempt to stimulate your pancreas.
Another key difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that people with type 2 can sometimes delay or halt its effects with superior diet and exercise. This is especially true if physicians' suspect your diabetes was triggered in part by excessive body weight.
Living With Diabetes
The difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is less important than how you manage either condition. People with both kinds of diabetes have to regularly check their blood sugar, as well as carefully watch for signs of low glucose (hypoglycemia) and high glucose (hyperglycemia). They also have to be mindful of what they eat, and the effect their diet has on blood sugar levels. Exercise should also be fundamental to people with either form of diabetes, as it makes blood sugar more manageable and minimizes side effects of both conditions.
If you have more questions about the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, or you suspect you may be suffering from either condition, make an appointment to speak with your physician. They'll be happy to answer any questions you have about diabetes, as well as test your for both forms.