Final answer:
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and is more common, with risk factors like obesity impacting its development. Both types demand different management strategies and can contribute to serious health complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparison of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the body's immune system attacking and destroying the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This type of diabetes usually manifests in childhood or adolescence. Due to the damage to the pancreatic cells, the body is unable to produce insulin, a hormone crucial for sugar (glucose) uptake from the blood.
On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is far more common, accounting for about 90% of diabetes cases. This condition is typically associated with insulin resistance where the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to a decreased ability to absorb glucose and resulting in high blood glucose levels. Often, type 2 diabetes is exacerbated by a secondary reduction in insulin secretion over time. Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include obesity and high blood pressure, and it more commonly develops in adulthood.
Although both types of diabetes can lead to serious health issues such as heart and kidney disease, they have different causes and treatment approaches. Management strategies for type 1 diabetes primarily include insulin injections to compensate for insulin deficiency. In contrast, managing type 2 diabetes might focus on lifestyle changes to increase insulin sensitivity as well as medications or insulin injections when necessary.