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Published:
1-August-2006


What Is the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?


In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose (sugar). Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:
  • Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
  • Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.
Learn more about type 1 and type 2 diabetes .

2. What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

Because diabetes can cause serious complications, it's important to be on the lookout for signs that you may have it. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are often subtle, but they can become severe. They include:
  • Increased thirst.
  • Increased hunger (especially after eating).
  • Dry mouth.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry).
  • Fatigue (weak, tired feeling).
  • Blurred vision.
  • Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet.
  • Loss of consciousness (rare).

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be the same as those listed above. However, most often, there are no symptoms or a very gradual development of the above symptoms. In fact, about a third of all people who have type 2 diabetes don't know they have it.

Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include:
  • Slow-healing sores or cuts.
  • Itching of the skin (usually in the vaginal or groin area.)
  • Yeast infections.
  • Recent weight gain.
  • Velvety dark skin changes of the neck, armpit, and groin called. acanthosis nigricans.

If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away so you can get tested for diabetes.

3. Can Eating Too Much Sugar Cause Diabetes?

Eating a lot of sugar, in and of itself, does not cause diabetes, but it can lead to tooth decay and obesity.

4. Can Diabetes Be Cured?

No. A cure for diabetes has not yet been found. However, diabetes can be treated and controlled. Most people with diabetes manage their disease and lead normal lives. But, without proper care, diabetes can lead to:
5. Can I Take Both Pills and Insulin to Control My Blood Sugar?

Yes. The combination of insulin and an oral medication , when taken as directed by your doctor, is very safe and effective in controlling blood glucose. A typical combination therapy consists of taking an oral medication during the day and insulin at night. Once you begin taking insulin, you will need to monitor your blood glucose more often to reduce the risk of low blood sugar reactions.

Combination therapies are often helpful for people who have type 2 diabetes. If you have been taking an oral medication to control your blood glucose, your doctor may change your treatment plan to include insulin injections. This change is often made to help people with type 2 diabetes gain better control of their blood glucose.

6. What Complications Are Associated With Diabetes?

If diabetes is not well controlled, you may be at risk for developing health complications related to your diabetes. These include problems with your:
  • Heart: People with diabetes have extra reason to be mindful of heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes carries an increased risk for heart attack, stroke , and complications related to poor circulation.

  • Skin: As many as one-third of people with diabetes will have a skin disorder caused or affected by diabetes at some time in their lives. In fact, such problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early.

  • Feet: People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage in the feet or when blood flow is poor.

  • Mouth: People with diabetes are at increased risk for gum disease and other mouth-related problems.

  • Eyes: Diabetes can cause eye problems and may lead to blindness. However, early detection and treatment of eye problems can prevent serious problems from developing.

  • Kidney disease: Diabetes can damage the kidneys, which not only can cause them to fail, but can also make them lose their ability to filter out waste products.

  • Nerve damage: One of the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy means damage to the nerves that run throughout the body, connecting the spinal cord to muscles, skin, blood vessels, and other organs.
With proper care and vigilance on your part, many diabetes-related complications can be prevented.

7. If My Mother or Father Has Diabetes Will I Get it Too?

Diabetes can be inherited (passed from parent to child). This means that if you have a parent with the condition there is a likelihood that you may develop the condition as well. But, it doesn't mean that you will definitely develop diabetes. It just means that you are at greater risk of developing diabetes than if you had a parent without the condition.

8. What Type of Birth Control Should Women With Diabetes Use?

There is no single contraceptive that is ideal for all women with diabetes. Each method has some advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your doctor about what type of birth control is right for you.

Here are some options.
  • Oral contraceptives: Combination estrogen/progestin pills are best avoided in women who are more than 35 years of age or who are smokers. Also, if you have high blood pressure that is not under control, talk with your doctor before using this form of birth control. Oral contraceptives with less than 35 mg of estrogen and a low progestin dose are recommended.
  • IUD's (Intrauterine Devices): Recent information suggests that there is no greater risk of uterine infections in women with diabetes. Women with multiple sexual partners or with a history of uterine infections should not use this form of birth control.
  • Barrier methods: Using diaphragms with spermicidal jelly or condoms with spermicidal foam are not related to any medical problems associated with diabetes. However, these are less effective forms of birth control.
  • Tubal ligation: This is a reasonable but permanent option for women who have completed their childbearing. There are no known complications of tubal ligation related to blood glucose or cholesterol metabolism.

9. Can Diabetes Cause Infertility?

Poor blood glucose control is associated with increased risk of miscarriage during the first three months of pregnancy. Also, women with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or have polycystic ovary syndrome may have more difficulty conceiving.

10. Should I Wear an ID Bracelet?

Most medical experts recommend that anyone with a medical condition (such as diabetes) wear some form of medical identification jewelry in case of an emergency. Having this kind of information easily visible can save time and may save your life, especially if you take insulin.

Having medical identification can provide emergency personnel with important information that allows them to act quickly. For example, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is common in some people with diabetes and can be life-threatening if not recognized quickly. It can be mistaken for drunkenness and precious time can be lost in offering appropriate treatment if the proper information is not given.

Medical identification jewelry may take one of several forms: bracelet for wrist or ankle, necklace, watch charms, iron-on tags or wallet cards. Make sure you choose a form that you are likely to wear every day, but remember that you should choose a form that is easily seen in an emergency -- an ankle bracelet may be fashionable, but easily missed. Whatever you choose should have clear visibility and durability. Emergency personnel tend to look for necklaces, neck chains and bracelets first. A wallet card is a good back-up.

Several companies manufacture medical identification jewelry. Perhaps the most widely recognized is MedicAlert, a non-profit organization that provides a MedicAlert tag, personal ID number and a 24-hour toll free emergency number. When needed, the organization can store important medical information for you in a computer which is available at any time from anywhere in the world.

Learn the basics about diabetes.
Get support. Check out our resources for people with diabetes.
View the full table of contents for the Diabetes Guide.


Reviewed by Certified Diabetes Educators in the Department of Patient Education and Health Information and by physicians in the Department of Endocrinology at The Cleveland Clinic.

Edited by Cynthia Haines, MD , WebMD, September 2005.



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