Not the Same: Here Are 10 Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
In the medical world, diabetes, a condition associated with high blood sugar levels, is classified into two types: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These two conditions are often mistakenly thought to be the same. In fact, the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes are quite varied, from their causes to their treatment.
To help you better understand these two conditions and provide appropriate care, here are the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes:
1. Underlying Cause

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus? The most fundamental difference is what triggers them.
With type 2 diabetes, the condition you experience is the result of habits you often engage in every day. Examples include eating fatty or sugary foods and rarely exercising.
Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, is not related to a person's habits or lifestyle. This disease is primarily caused by an autoimmune condition linked to genetic factors and certain viral infections, such as enteroviruses, rotavirus, or the mumps virus.[1]
2. Insulin Levels in the Body

In type 1 diabetes, insulin levels in the body are extremely low or even nonexistent. This is because an autoimmune condition damages the cells in the pancreas, preventing the body from producing this hormone properly.
In type 2 diabetes, the body still produces insulin, but its ability to respond to insulin declines due to high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia.
In the advanced stages, insulin levels may also decline. When the body does not respond well to insulin, the pancreas works hard to produce more insulin so that the body's cells can respond. Over time, however, this extra effort weakens the pancreas, eventually causing insulin production to fall.
3. Age of Onset

It is important to note that neither type of diabetes is limited to a particular age group. In other words, anyone can develop either condition, whether young or old.
However, when it comes to age groups that are more susceptible, type 1 diabetes is generally more common in children, especially those aged 10 to 14.[2] In contrast, most cases of type 2 diabetes occur in adults aged 45 and older.[3]
4. Prevalence

Another difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is their prevalence. Type 1 diabetes accounts for only about 5 to 10% of all diabetes cases, while nearly 90% of cases are type 2 diabetes.[4]
5. Early Symptoms

Signs of type 1 diabetes appear gradually, but over a relatively short period, as pancreatic function can worsen over the course of days, weeks, or months.[5]
The signs of type 2 diabetes also appear gradually, but they develop less quickly and less aggressively than those of type 1. As a result, many people with this condition do not realize that something is wrong.
6. Prevention

Since type 1 diabetes is linked to genetic factors and viral infections, you cannot prevent it, as its causes are beyond your control. Type 2 diabetes is different: maintaining a healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of developing the disease.
7. Treatment

In mild cases, choosing the right foods, such as foods high in fiber and low in fat, can improve type 2 diabetes. Treatment does not always depend on medication.
This does not apply to type 1 diabetes, as it requires daily insulin injections to prevent the condition from worsening. In other words, patients will always depend on insulin injections to manage their condition.
8. Potential for Remission

Can type 2 diabetes be cured? It cannot be completely cured, but the condition can go into remission, meaning that a person no longer needs glucose-lowering medication to go about their daily life normally. Even in remission, however, they still need to make careful food choices to prevent the disease from returning.
This is not the case with type 1 diabetes. To this day, there is no definitive solution for this condition.
9. Risk Factors

For type 1 diabetes, the risk of developing the disease increases if a family member also has it.
Type 2 diabetes is different: it is not passed from parent to child. You may be at risk of developing it if you have poor eating habits and rarely exercise.
10. Diagnostic Methods

The way to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes also differs. Both are diagnosed using blood sugar tests, but type 1 diabetes requires an additional test: an antibody test. If autoantibodies are detected, the patient will be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
The differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes are quite significant. So, if you experience any suspicious symptoms, it is best to get a health checkup to identify which type of diabetes you have so that you can receive more appropriate treatment.
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