(NewsNation) — Multiple types of diabetes exist, but Type 1 and Type 2 are the most common.
Of the estimated 38 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, an overwhelming majority has Type 2.
Diabetes, a chronic health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy, develops when blood sugar levels are too high, preventing the pancreas from producing enough insulin the body needs.
There are two main differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
What is Type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune disease that prevents the body from producing insulin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This causes sugar to build up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia.
People with Type 1 diabetes must inject insulin daily to manage blood sugar levels.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Lifestyle and genetic factors can lead to Type 2 diabetes, the most common type.
Like Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. However, Type 1 is caused by an autoimmune reaction, while obesity, lack of exercise and familial diagnoses contribute to Type 2.
This form is reversible, though not curable, by adjusting one’s lifestyle and maintaining healthy habits, whereas Type 1 is not.