What is Type 1 diabetes?
This is also known as juvenile, early onset, or insulin dependent diabetes. It usually first develops in children or young adults. In the UK about 1 in 250 people develop Type 1 diabetes at some stage.
With Type 1 diabetes the illness usually develops quite quickly, over days or weeks, as the pancreas stops making insulin. It is treated with insulin injections and a healthy diet (see below).
Why does the pancreas stop making insulin?
In most cases, Type 1 diabetes is thought to be an 'auto-immune' disease. The immune system normally makes antibodies to attack bacteria, viruses, and other 'germs'. In auto-immune diseases the immune system makes antibodies against part or parts of the body. If you have Type 1 diabetes you make antibodies that attach to the beta cells in the pancreas. These are thought to destroy the cells that make insulin. It is thought that something triggers the immune system to make these antibodies. The 'trigger' is not known but a popular theory is that a virus triggers the immune system to make these antibodies.
Rarely, Type 1 diabetes is due to other causes. For example, severe inflammation of the pancreas, or surgical removal of the pancreas for various reasons.
Type 2 diabetes
This is also known as maturity onset, or non-insulin dependent diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usually develops after the age of 40 (but sometimes occurs in younger people). It is more common in people who are overweight or obese.
With Type 2 diabetes, the illness and symptoms tend to develop gradually (over weeks or months). This is because in Type 2 diabetes you still make insulin (unlike Type 1 diabetes). However, you either do not make enough for your body`s needs, and/or the cells in your body are not able to use it properly. This is called 'insulin resistance'.
The following information deals only with Type 1 diabetes.
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