Type 1 and type 2 diabetes compared: causes, symptoms and treatment

What do the two types have in common?

Diabetes is a condition in which there is too much glucose, a type of sugar, in the blood. Both type 1 and type 2 involve insulin, a hormone made by cells in the pancreas.

The two types share several symptoms: increased thirst, passing urine more often, tiredness and weight loss. The difference lies in why the problem arises and how it is managed.

What causes type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.

In young people the symptoms usually develop very quickly, over a few days or weeks. In adults, the symptoms often take longer to develop, sometimes a few months.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

Either the body does not make enough insulin, or the insulin it makes does not work as well as it should.

Diabetes UK lists age, family history, ethnicity and weight among the risk factors.

Type 2 develops slowly over a period of years, so the signs may not be obvious.

How are the two types treated?

Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, which is needed for life, alongside monitoring of blood glucose.

Type 2 diabetes is managed with lifestyle changes such as eating healthily, exercising and trying to lose weight, and sometimes with medicines. Medicine may be added if needed, such as metformin, and some people also need insulin.

Can diabetes be cured?

Diabetes UK says there is no cure for diabetes at the moment. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be put into remission, and it can sometimes be prevented.

Remission does not mean the condition has gone for good, which is why regular checks are still part of care.

How is diabetes checked, and who should be seen?

Blood tests are used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. The site's pages on blood glucose and on HbA1c explain what they show, and the laboratory report shows the reference range used.

The NHS says to get a GP appointment as soon as possible for the main symptoms of diabetes; for a child, to contact the GP practice urgently or use NHS 111 if unsure what to do. The NHS website sets out the symptoms to look for.

What else do the sources say?

For a child with diabetes symptoms, contact the GP practice urgently or use NHS 111 if unsure; call 999 if a child is very drowsy, confused, breathing fast or deeply, has severe tummy pain or keeps vomiting. In someone with diabetes, loss of appetite, feeling or being sick, a high temperature, stomach pain or fruity-smelling breath needs urgent medical attention, so call NHS 111 or 999 if severe. Remission means blood sugar stays below the diabetes level for at least six months without diabetes medicine.