.jpg)
The main difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes lies in how the body handles insulin, the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar.
🔹 Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) – Autoimmune & Insulin-Dependent
-
Cause: The immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
-
Insulin production: None or very little
-
Typical onset: Childhood, teens, or young adulthood (but can happen at any age)
-
Treatment: Daily insulin injections or pump, blood sugar monitoring
-
Not preventable
-
Often develops suddenly
🔸 Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) – Insulin Resistance & Lifestyle-Linked
-
Cause: The body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough
-
Insulin production: Present, but the body doesn't use it well
-
Typical onset: Usually in adults over 40, but increasingly in younger people
-
Treatment: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise), oral meds, may need insulin later
-
Often preventable or reversible in early stages
-
Develops gradually
🩺 Shared Symptoms (Both Types)
-
Frequent urination
-
Increased thirst
-
Fatigue
-
Blurred vision
-
Slow wound healing
-
Weight changes
🧬 Key Distinction
-
Type 1: Autoimmune and lifelong insulin dependence
-
Type 2: Metabolic and often linked to lifestyle, sometimes reversible