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The Difference between Type One and Type Two Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which your body cannot properly store and use fuel for energy. The fuel that your body needs is called glucose. Glucose comes from foods such as breads, cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruits and some vegetables. To use glucose, your body needs insulin. Insulin is made by a gland in your body called the pancreas. When your body makes too little or no insulin, this is called type 1 diabetes. When your body can't use the insulin it makes, this is called type 2 diabetes.
There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus . It can develop at any age, although it usually develops in children and young adults and is also referred to as juvenile onset diabetes. It is rare for children under five to develop diabetes, but type 1 diabetes can occur in babies when they are only a few months old. The affected person does not produce any of their own insulin and needs to take it by injection every day. Once it has developed, it is a life-long disease.
Type 2 diabetes occurs later in life and is sometimes known as late-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes miletus. Type 2 diabetes is just now being found in children under five. Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or your body does not properly use the insulin it makes. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive, life-long condition. Type 2 can usually be controlled be diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight but some do use medication to help control their sugar levels.
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Written by: MommaSmurf, Shannon
Read more about Other Conditions:
The Difference Between HYPERGLYCEMIA and HYPOGLYCEMIA,
Guidelines for Care of Children With Type One Diabetes,
How I Feel About Having a 2-Year-Old Diabetic
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