A common misconception that many people have is that diabetes is diabetes. The term Type 1 diabetic or Type 2 diabetic is not often well recognized. Juvenile Diabetes is thought by many to be just what it says…A “juvenile” with diabetes. This misconception has led the medical field to try to educate the public by now referring to Juvenile Diabetes to “Type 1”.

Out of all of the Diabetics in the world, approximately 10% are Type 1.

So, just what are the differences?

   A person diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes suffers from a pancreas that has stopped producing insulin. Insulin is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for our bodies to function.

Type 1 Diabetes usually occurs in a person’s youth. It can be diagnosed in newborns or 17 year olds. It has no prejudice. You can NOT control Type 1 with diet and or exercise. There are currently no pills that can help blood sugar control in a Type 1 Diabetic.

The only control available is through insulin therapy. Insulin can be administered through multiple daily injections (shots) or through an insulin pump. How much insulin you use varies from hour to hour. It also largely depends upon your food intake. This is why it is very important to check your blood sugar levels as often as you can. You should be testing at least 6-8 times a day.

Type 1 Diabetics on insulin injection therapy also must utilize a strict meal plan consisting of breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, another snack, dinner and a final late snack. All of this balancing is done to try to control the effects of the insulin with the steady intake of food.

Your doctor will help to guide you through adjusting insulin levels and types of insulin to use. He will also advise you on the possible benefits of an insulin pump.   A person diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes suffers from a pancreas that still produces insulin….just not enough of it. A person with Type 2 Diabetes can also have insulin being ignored by their cells.

   This is by far the most common type of diabetes. You probably have loved ones who have Type 2 Diabetes.

  Usually, upon diagnosis, Type 2 Diabetes can be controlled with diet and or exercise. Oral medications can also be introduced. When these fail, insulin injections are often added. These injections are usually done to make an occasional correction.

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The reality is, there is quite a difference between the two.
Overall management of Type 1 is much more complex and always deals with providing a steady intake of insulin and a balance of caloric intake

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