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If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you might have a lot of questions about what exactly this means – that’s normal! To start with, you need to understand what type of diabetes you have. The most common are type 1 and type 2. While they might sound similar, there are some key different in how they affect your body:
| Type 1 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes | |
| What’s happening in your body | Your immune system attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. As a result, your body can’t make insulin, or enough of it, and therefore can’t process blood sugar1. | Your insulin production is reduced over time due to high blood sugar levels. The insulin your body makes becomes less effective and the pancreas cannot keep up with demand1. |
| Risk factors | We don’t know the exact cause of type 1 diabetes. It has been linked to2,3:Type 2 diabetes has been linked to a several factors, including:
| Type 2 diabetes has been linked to a several factors, including:
|
| Onset of symptoms | Symptoms usually appear quickly1. | Symptoms for type 2 diabetes can be less noticeable and appear more slowly2. |
| Treatments | People with type 2 diabetes take daily insulin injections1. | People with type 2 diabetes typically start with lifestyle changes; if these are not enough to manage blood sugar levels, medication may also be prescribed1. |
Read on to dive deeper into the differences in symptoms, treatments and how you can manage your disease!
It is estimated that 537 million people have diabetes worldwide. There are two main types – type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common, accounting for over 90% of cases1. As they have very different causes, the symptoms and treatment will vary in type 1 vs type 2 diabetes. That’s why it’s important to understand your own disease and consult your healthcare professional, to help you manage it effectively.
Type 1 diabetes is when your immune system attacks and destroys cells in your pancreas that make insulin. As a result, your body can’t make insulin, or makes very little, and without insulin, your body can’t process blood sugar. Instead of being absorbed into your cells and used as energy, this blood sugar builds up in your bloodstream. This can cause damage to areas in the body such as the eyes, blood vessels, kidneys, and heart, leading to diabetes symptoms and complications1,4.
Type 2 diabetes is when your insulin production is reduced over time due to high blood sugar levels. In response to high blood sugar levels, the insulin your body makes becomes less effective, and your pancreas has to work overtime to produce more. This is called insulin resistance1. Over months, and even years, the pancreas becomes tired and cannot keep up with the demand1.
Experts still do not know exactly what causes type 1 diabetes; however, the following are thought to be linked:
There is not one single gene that can be inherited. It is thought a number of genes increase the chance of developing type 1 diabetes3.
The rates of type 1 diabetes are increasing, suggesting environmental factors contribute to disease development; however, lifestyle and weight are not thought to be linked3.
The gut microbiome and childhood diet may all play a part; however, research is ongoing3.
While people of all ages can experience onset of type 1 diabetes, it is more commonly first diagnosed in children and those under the age of 402.
There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including5,6:
If you are over the age of 406.
Our building blocks, also known as our genes, may increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, e.g., genes involved in blood glucose control and insulin secretion7. You are more likely to have these genes if one of your family members is living with diabetes6.
When we are stressed, hormones are released that can lead to the raising of blood sugar levels. If you are stressed for a long period of time, your blood sugar levels may remain outside the normal range8.
Some medications such as corticosteroids and statins, used for the treatment of multiple conditions, can have side effects such as altering insulin secretion and increasing glucose production9.
Several lifestyle factors, like an unhealthy diet and a sendentary lifestyle which are also linked to overweight and obesity, have been associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes10,11.
If you or a loved one notices any of these symptoms please consult a healthcare provider.
Symptoms in type 2 diabetes can be the same as above1, but could also include:
Diabetes symptoms can be similar for both type 1 and type 2, but in general, symptoms for type 2 diabetes can be a lot less noticeable, or you may not experience any, which can result in a delayed or missed diagnosis1. While symptoms for type 1 diabetes tend to appear quickly, those for type 2 diabetes can appear more slowly, which can also lead to them being missed2.
Find out more about diabetes symptoms here. If you or a loved one notices any of the symptoms mentioned please consult a healthcare professional.
As people living with type 1 diabetes make little to no insulin, daily insulin injections are required to help manage blood sugar levels. You can live a healthy life, and delay or prevent diabetes-related complications if you monitor your blood sugar levels, visit a healthcare professional regularly, and get support from family and/or loved ones1,4. To find out more about treatment for type 1 diabetes, read our article here.
A key part of treating type 2 diabetes is trying to lead a healthy lifestyle, which may include following a healthy and balanced diet, taking part in regular physical activity, avoiding smoking and trying to maintain a healthy body weight1.
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease1. Over time, many find that lifestyle changes alone no longer enable them to manage their type 2 diabetes. Healthcare professionals may recommend medications based on each patients' individual needs1.
Your doctor may also recommend using insulin if prior therapies are unable to prevent prolonged high blood sugar levels1.
There are 2 main types of insulin: basal (background) insulin, which keeps a low, consistent level of insulin in your blood throughout the day14, and bolus (mealtime) insulin, which is used to help control your blood sugar spikes after eating14.
It’s completely normal to feel nervous about starting insulin therapy. Unfortunately, around half of people with type 2 diabetes delay insulin therapy initiation by over two years. This can be for many reasons, but for some, concerns about injections, the potential side effects and how this will fit into daily routines can be a driving factor15.
However, ensuring insulin is initiated on your healthcare professionals recommendation is important to reduce the chances of complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, permanent vision problems, and nerve damage16.
Learning more about how insulin therapy works can be a huge help in overcoming your anxieties and getting you feeling confident about starting your insulin journey.
Remember, it is important to speak to your healthcare professional if you are concerned about your current diabetes treatments.
Still have questions around starting insulin therapy for your type 2 diabetes? Read through our guide and take notes on questions you can ask your healthcare professional here.
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