Type 1 and type 2 diabetes: Comparing the ups and downs

Diabetes is often used as a general term for the condition that affects millions, but there are important nuances that everyone should understand. For instance, there are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These conditions frequently have the same symptoms, but their causes and treatments differ.

If you're confused about the difference between these two types of diabetes, don't worry — you're not alone! Here's insight into how the diseases compare, how they contrast and which type has the biggest impact on a person's quality of life.

Differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes

The two main types of diabetes have different causes and treatments, and they impact a person's everyday life in different ways. It's important to be aware of the differences between these conditions and note how they affect treatment and lifestyle:

Causes

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease; the body attacks its pancreas and destroys its ability to produce insulin. Within a short period of time, insulin production stops. A person with type 1 diabetes then needs to get insulin from an injection or a pump.

By contrast, early in type 2 diabetes, the pancreas may produce more insulin than a healthy pancreas would, but the body can't use the insulin. The person with type 2 diabetes then becomes resistant to insulin — no matter how much insulin their pancreas produces, most of it doesn't get used. A person with type 2 diabetes may often experience high blood sugar and high blood insulin levels. As the disease progresses, the pancreas of a person with type 2 diabetes may stop producing insulin, and they may require insulin by injection or pump. People with both types of diabetes are unable to use the carbohydrates they eat for fuel.

Treatments

Since a person with type 1 diabetes doesn't make their own insulin, they need to get it via a syringe or pump. There is an array of injection devices and insulin pumps available online that can make this easier.

People with type 2 diabetes tend to have a wider range of treatment options. For instance, oral medications can be used to encourage the pancreas to produce more insulin and to make the body more sensitive to the insulin that is being produced. Meanwhile, non-insulin injectables like GLP-1 receptor agonists may help the person with type 2 use their own insulin more effectively.

Day-to-day life

Because a person with type 1 diabetes makes no insulin at all, they must be hyper-vigilant about self-care. Multiple blood sugar checks and insulin injections are daily routines for people with type 1 diabetes. Accordingly, injection supplies and glucometers or continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) need to be on hand at all times. A person with type 1 diabetes must always be aware of their blood sugar levels — and ready to take action to correct them if needed.

Type 2 diabetes is no picnic, but it is generally considered less severe than type 1 diabetes in most cases. Many people with type 2 diabetes check blood sugars one or two times per day. However, people with advanced type 2 diabetes (who use insulin) may check blood sugars several times per day, similar to a person with type 1.

Similarities between type 1 and type 2 diabetes

People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes often experience the same symptoms and commonly use the same equipment and supplies to monitor and manage their blood sugar levels. While complications can occur in either type of diabetes, here are some similarities they share:

Symptoms

People with either kind of diabetes may experience extreme thirst, hunger, headaches, blurry vision, excessive urination and fatigue. In type 1 diabetes, the onset of symptoms is usually noticeable, like coming down with the flu. However, people with type 2 diabetes may have subtle symptoms — some experience fatigue or other low-level symptoms for months before seeking treatment.

Equipment and supplies

No matter the type of diabetes, keeping an eye on blood sugar is crucial. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes both use CGMs or glucometers, glucometer strips and lancets to test blood sugar. A person with either type of diabetes can use any glucometer or continuous glucose monitor for testing.

Insulin is available in short, intermediate and long-acting varieties to help manage blood sugars in people with diabetes. Although some people with type 2 diabetes may never need insulin, all varieties of insulin can be used for both types of diabetes.

Complications

Unfortunately, poorly managed diabetes can have devastating results. People with type 1 diabetes tend to develop the condition earlier in life, so they're more likely to experience complications sooner. But diabetes doesn't discriminate when it comes to complications. Both types of diabetes can result in loss of vision and kidney function as well as nerve damage and heart disease. This is why proper management is so important.

Hope for the future

Learning that you have diabetes can be overwhelming. However, it doesn't mean you won't be able to live a full, healthy life!

Living with diabetes means you need to take great care of your well-being through good nutrition, regular exercise and routine monitoring of blood glucose. Managing diabetes takes some work — and can cause a bit of confusion and frustration at times — but it is entirely possible. The right equipment and a proactive self-care routine can go a long way toward minimizing the impact that diabetes has on your life.

Are you looking to learn more about living with diabetes? Check out the Edgepark website to access its guidance around emergency resources for individuals living with diabetes.