Understanding Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Alysa Ferguson, MS, RD, CDCES, Director of Diabetes Education at the Catholic Health Diabetes Education Center at St. Joseph Hospital, answers commonly asked questions about the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

What is Type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease caused by insufficient insulin production. If you are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, your body is confusing the insulin-producing cells from the pancreas as foreign intruders. Instead of utilizing those cells, your body attacks and destroys those cells.

Insulin is a hormone that helps lower our blood sugar and manages energy and fuel. If you have Type 1 diabetes, you must monitor your blood sugar levels throughout the day and inject insulin to help regulate your blood glucose. Without the help of insulin, blood sugar can build up in the bloodstream. Contact a diabetes educator who can help you take your insulin as instructed. 

What is Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes differs from Type 1 diabetes in a few key ways. Most notably, Type 2 diabetes is not an autoimmune disease. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your pancreas still creates insulin. But your cells do not respond correctly to it, which causes your pancreas to go into insulin production overdrive and your blood sugar to rise.

It is more common for adults to have Type 2 diabetes; however, more children are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Contributing factors to Type 2 diabetes in children under 18 include obesity and inactivity.

Your risk of Type 2 diabetes is higher if you:

• Are overweight
• Engage in little to no physical activity
• Have a family history of Type 2 diabetes
• Over 40 years old

You may also have heard of prediabetes—the precursor to Type 2 diabetes. It’s a “warning zone,” so to speak. Your A1C blood results are trending toward diabetes, but you have not reached the Type 2 diabetes threshold yet. With weight loss and lifestyle modifications, reversing prediabetes is possible. However, once you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, it cannot be reversed. But it can be managed.

How can I manage diabetes? 

Try these tips to get started with at-home diabetes management. 

Tip 1. Check out your beverage shelf and avoid anything sugary. Try to add more water to your daily intake. A good rule of thumb is to divide your weight in half and drink that amount in ounces of water. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds, drink 50 ounces of water daily. 

Tip 2. Create a meal plan for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and the occasional treat! Anything can fit into a meal plan from time to time. 

Tip 3. Thoughtful food shopping can help set you up for success. We all know not to go grocery shopping when we are hungry. Take that one step further and try to create your shopping list before heading into the store. It will help you stay on task and avoid impulse buys. Online grocery shopping is also a great way to cut out picking up foods you may later regret. 

Tip 4. Talk with an expert if you are concerned about mental health. A diabetes diagnosis—whether Type 1 or Type 2—is emotional, as is the realization that you now have a lifelong condition to manage. With proper support and education, you can take action and learn how to control your diabetes effectively.

How do I check my blood glucose levels?

Ask your primary care physician (PCP) to order an A1C test to check your blood glucose level. This simple test can give you critical insights into your health and inspire you to take action.

If you live with diabetes, ask your diabetes educator if you are eligible for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). CGMs can be worn temporarily. Some individuals may be eligible for their own. Either way, they are a great tool to help you learn about what is happening to your glucose levels at different times of the day without a lot of pricking. Based on that helpful information, your dietitian can give you ideas and suggestions based on the foods you like to eat. 

Manage Your Diabetes at Catholic Health Diabetes Education Centers

Catholic Health Diabetes Education Centers in Nassau and Suffolk Counties provide tools and resources to help you manage your diabetes. Our Registered Dietitians and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists help you make small changes that significantly impact your daily life. Our patient-centered programs teach you how to manage your insulin, count carbohydrates, and create healthy daily lifestyle adjustments. 

Find a Catholic Health Diabetes Education Center near you. Or call 855-908-8989. 

View our diabetes services.