The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a common condition in the United States, with about 11% of the population living with the disease. Out of the more than 34 million people with this condition, a small number have Type 1, while the majority have Type 2 diabetes. 

The skilled providers at Integrative Primary Care in Houston offer expert diagnostic and treatment services for patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Our doctors want you to understand how the two types differ, so you can know what symptoms to watch for and when to seek treatment.  

What is diabetes?

Your body works to convert the foods you eat into glucose (sugar), which it then uses as fuel. But before your body can use glucose as a source of energy, your pancreas needs to release the hormone insulin. 

When you have diabetes, your body either struggles to make insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or is unable to use it in the right way (Type 2 diabetes). As a result, you end up with too much sugar in your blood, since it can’t be converted into energy.  

This serious medical condition must be managed, because without treatment, diabetes can lead to many problematic conditions, including coma and even death. But Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the two most common forms of the disease, are managed very differently.  

What is Type 1 diabetes?

Only about 5% of people with diabetes have Type 1, an autoimmune disorder that usually develops in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body produces little or no insulin. 

There’s no known way to stop Type 1 diabetes from developing, and its symptoms usually appear suddenly. When present, they require immediate medical attention. The most common symptoms include:

• Increased thirst and hunger
• Frequent urination or wetting the bed
• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe fatigue 
• Muscle weakness
• Mood changes
• Bad breath

Scientists don’t have a cure for Type 1 diabetes, and people with the disease need to take insulin regularly. 

What is Type 2 diabetes?

With Type 2 diabetes, which affects about 95% of diabetics, you can make insulin, but your body can’t use the hormone in the right way. As a result, the glucose in your blood doesn’t get used, and your blood sugar remains high.

The elevated amount of glucose in your blood triggers your pancreas to continue making more insulin, but over time, the insulin your body makes is less and less effective. Because it takes time for this to occur, symptoms associated with Type 2 diabetes usually appear slowly. 

In fact, most people with Type 2 diabetes don’t exhibit any noticeable symptoms. Instead, they’re usually diagnosed by their provider after routine blood work. Certain factors increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, including:

• Being obese or overweight
• Having a mostly sedentary lifestyle
• Having hypertension (even when managed)
• Having high cholesterol
• Having a family history of diabetes
• Being age 45 or older
• Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Being a smoker

In addition, having insulin resistance or being diagnosed with pre-diabetes also increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Researchers estimate that about 88 million American adults are pre-diabetic, and because of the obesity epidemic, many children are also likely affected.

Treating Type 2 diabetes is also different from treating Type 1 diabetes. For many people with Type 2 diabetes, making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising, is enough to manage their blood sugar and keep the disease under control. Some people, however, may also need to take medications or insulin. 

If you have diabetes or are concerned you may be at risk of developing this serious condition, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your provider at Integrative Primary Care. To get started, call 281-369-8543 or book an appointment online today.