Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes: What Are The Causes And Risk Factors?

There are two main types of diabetes — type 1 and type 2. Despite the fact that they have similar names and similar consequences, the mechanisms that lead to the development of each type are quite different. Regardless of the cause, both types of diabetes are associated with high levels of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood.

What causes diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which means that it develops because the immune system, which normally keeps us healthy, goes haywire and starts to attack healthy tissue instead. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks cells of the pancreas which make the hormone insulin.

Therefore, patients with type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin. As insulin is responsible for the metabolism of glucose, patients with type 1 diabetes are unable to metabolize glucose and thus, have high blood glucose levels. The reason why the immune system is impaired and starts to attack healthy cells is not yet known, though some researchers believe it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Research on this topic is still ongoing.

Patients with type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, have intact pancreatic cells that produce insulin. In fact, the body continues to produce insulin at levels similar to healthy people. Unfortunately, the cells of the body no longer respond to insulin as they should, leading to high blood glucose levels. Initially when you develop type 2 diabetes and your body is not metabolizing glucose properly, the pancreas will respond and try to compensate by producing even more insulin. However, since patients with type 2 diabetes are non-responsive to high insulin levels, the glucose will continue to accumulate in the blood. While it is not known exactly why type 2 diabetes develops, studies have shown that both modifiable and non-modifiable factors contribute to its development.

Diabetes: Risk factors

The risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:

• Genetics. People who have at least one parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes are much more likely to develop the disease themselves. This is probably because there are genes that have been found to be associated with type 1 diabetes.
• Younger age. While type 1 can develop at any age, it is much more likely to develop in children and teenagers compared to adults.
• Where you live. While it is not clear why, you are much more likely to develop type 1 diabetes the further your live away from the equator.

Unfortunately, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented as the risk factors associated with its development are non-modifiable.

The risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

• Older age. Patients over the age of 45 are more likely to get type 2 diabetes.
• Genetics. Patients with relatives with diabetes are more likely to get it.
• Diet. Patients who have high-fat diets filled with sugar and carbohydrates are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. 
• Weight. Overweight and obese people are much more likely to get the disease.
• Level of physical activity. People that lead sedentary lifestyles are more likely to get type 2 diabetes compared to people that are active.
• Prediabetes. Prediabetes is a condition that is often diagnosed in patients before they develop type 2 diabetes. In prediabetes, patients have high blood sugar levels, but not high enough to warrant a type 2 diagnosis.
• Gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes during pregnancy. Patients with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 later on.
• If you have given birth to a baby that weighs 9 pounds.
• Ethnicity/race. People who are African-American, Hispanic, Latino, American Indian or Alaska native are much more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
• Having a high waist circumference or belly fat.
• Having a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Unlike type 1 diabetes, there are ways you can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. These are the ways that have been shown to help delay or prevent type 2 diabetes:

• Lose weight if you are overweight. Work with a nutritionist to have a healthy diet.
• Work with trainer and start exercising. Even 30 minutes of exercise a day can help delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
• Incorporate activity into your everyday life. For example, walk or bike to work. Go for hikes with friends.
• Limit your intake of sugary and calorie-dense foods.
• Limit your intake of alcohol.