The two main types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. Together, they account for almost all cases. Type 1 accounts for approximately 8% of cases, while Type 2 covers around 90% of cases. Diabetes also has other types, like gestational diabetes and LADA, but type 1 and type 2 are very common in people.
You can develop type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) at any age. In the past, type 1 was usually called “juvenile diabetes” and type 2 was known as “adult-onset diabetes.” These labels are outdated and misleading. Now, modern research confirms that children can also develop type 2, and adults can develop type 1.
At Kairos, we remind our patients that knowing which type you have is key. A clear diagnosis helps you manage it better. Through our functional medicine in Houston, we work with you to address these root causes and help you manage them effectively.
What Causes Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes happens when the body’s defense system makes a mistake and attacks the pancreas cells that produce insulin. Without insulin, sugar can’t move into the cells for energy and instead builds up in the blood.
It can show up at any age. It is common in children or teenagers, but adults can develop it too.
Its common causes include:
- You have a family history of type 1 diabetes
- You are living with other autoimmune conditions, such as thyroid disease or celiac disease
- You are carrying certain genetic markers that affect your immune system
- Viral infections that may trigger the immune system to attack insulin-producing cells
One thing that’s important to remember is that type 1 diabetes is not caused by your lifestyle. The way you eat or how much you exercise has nothing to do with it.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just appear overnight. You develop it slowly, often over years, as your body stops using insulin the way it should. At first, your pancreas works overtime to keep your blood sugar in check, but eventually it can’t keep up, and that’s when diabetes begins.
You’re more likely to develop type 2 diabetes:
- If your body becomes resistant to insulin and your pancreas gets overworked
- You have Prediabetes
- Excess weight around the belly
- Physical inactivity
- Being over the age of 40 (though it’s now common in younger people, too)
- Having a family history of type 2 diabetes
- History of gestational diabetes or PCOS
- Your waist circumference, or if you are living with obesity
- Eating a diet high in sugar, refined carbs, and unhealthy oils
The best part is that you can easily manage Type 2 diabetes or even push it into remission by making changes to your diet and lifestyle before this condition becomes worse.
Signs of Type 1 Diabetes
The signs of type 1 diabetes often show up quickly, sometimes within just a few weeks.
Its common symptoms include:
- You are feeling very thirsty and needing to urinate often
- You are losing weight without trying
- Feel extremely hungry
- Tiredness or weakness
- Blurry vision
- Frequent nausea or vomiting
In some cases, type 1 diabetes can first appear as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a dangerous condition that needs immediate medical care.
Signs of Type 2 Diabetes
The symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes can look very similar, which is why they are often mistaken for each other. Type 2 diabetes develops slowly. Many people don’t notice it until it has been there for years.. That’s why it’s important to watch for early symptoms.
Its common symptoms include:
- You are feeling very thirsty and needing to urinate often
- Tiredness, irritability, or trouble focusing
- Cuts and wounds that heal slowly
- Frequent infections
- Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
- Dark, velvety patches of skin, often around your neck or armpits
- You are gaining weight or struggling to lose weight
If you see these signs, it’s important to get checked early. We offer primary care in Richmond, Sugar Land, Rosenberg, and Houston, Texas, to help you diagnose type 2 diabetes and take the right steps for your health.
Can Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Be Cured?
Type 1 diabetes does not have a cure at this time. People who develop it need to take insulin for life. New research is underway on treatments like islet cell transplants, stem-cell–derived beta cells, and immune therapies are being studied.
Some of these new treatments may help the body make insulin again, but they still come with challenges such as the risk of rejection and questions about long-term safety. A newer drug called teplizumab, approved in 2022, can’t cure type 1 diabetes, but it can delay the disease in people who are at high risk. This is a big step forward and gives hope for the future.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, cannot be “cured” either, but it can often be reversed or put into remission. This means that your blood sugar returns to normal without needing medicine.
With weight loss, healthy eating, regular exercise, and proper medical care, you can easily bring your blood sugar back into a healthy range.
Long-Term Dangers of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
If diabetes stays uncontrolled for too long, it can slowly damage different parts of your body and create serious health problems. This is true for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Here are some of the major dangers of diabetes:
- Heart disease and stroke
- Kidney damage that can lead to kidney failure
- Nerve problems like pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands and feet
- Vision loss caused by damage to the eyes
- Poor circulation, sometimes leading to amputations
- Mental health struggles, including depression and anxiety
Simple Ways to Manage Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, these strategies can help you maintain better control of your blood sugar:
- Check your blood sugar often. Whether you use a finger-stick meter or a continuous glucose monitor, keeping an eye on your numbers helps you see how food, exercise, and stress affect you.
- Eat real, balanced food. Lean proteins, lots of veggies, fiber-rich carbs, and healthy fats work best. Try to cut back on processed snacks, sugary drinks, and refined carbs.
- Move your body. Walking, biking, and lifting weights all help your body use insulin better. Aim for regular activity each week rather than pushing too hard all at once.
- Watch your portions. Even healthy foods can spike blood sugar if you eat too much. Find the serving sizes that work for your body.
- Lower your stress. Stress hormones raise blood sugar. Deep breathing, yoga, meditation, or simply taking a quiet walk can calm things down.
- Sleep well. Poor sleep makes it harder to control blood sugar. Aim for 7–9 hours of good rest.
- Take your meds as directed. People with type 1 need insulin. For type 2, your doctor may prescribe medicines like Metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, Sulfonylureas, or insulin alongside lifestyle changes.
- Consider fasting (for type 2 only). Intermittent fasting may improve insulin resistance and support weight loss, but always talk to your doctor first.
Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water helps regulate blood sugar and supports your kidneys.
Conclusion
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes both raise blood sugar, but they are very different conditions. At Kairos Integrative Care, one of our board-certified nurse practitioners, Lola, helps you understand which type of diabetes you’re dealing with and what steps will work best for you.
Our team combines functional medicine with primary care in Houston, Sugar Land, and Richmond, Texas.
We accept major insurance plans, including Blue Cross, Aetna, Ambetter, Cigna, and more.
New patients are always welcome, and if visiting the clinic isn’t possible, telemedicine appointments are available across the entire state of Texas.
