The difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes lies in the cause of the disease, the speed of onset of the disease, treatment methods and the incidence of the population.
1. Causes: Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of pancreatic islet B cells, resulting in absolute lack of insulin; type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance or insufficient insulin secretion.
2. The speed of onset: some type 1 diabetes mellitus has an acute onset, especially fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus, which will suddenly appear with symptoms such as excessive drinking, excessive eating, excessive urination, and weight loss, or symptoms similar to pancreatitis; type 2 diabetes mellitus has an insidious onset, and there are usually no obvious symptoms in the early stage, and some patients will not be found until they develop the symptoms of chronic complications.
3. Treatment: Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin therapy; patients with type 2 diabetes are preferred to be treated with oral hypoglycemic drugs, and if oral hypoglycemic drug therapy fails to control blood glucose well, insulin therapy can be used.
4. The incidence of the population: type 1 diabetes tends to occur in young people, especially youth under 20 years of age; type 2 diabetes is possible at any age.
When symptoms similar to type 1 or type 2 diabetes occur, it is recommended to go to the hospital.