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Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy lives.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time, it isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels.
What Is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone that helps sugar move from your blood into your cells. Insulin is made by the beta cells in your pancreas.
Your cells need sugar for energy. Sugar from food makes your blood sugar go up. Insulin lowers your blood sugar level by helping sugar move from your blood, into your cells.
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body prevents the insulin it does make from working right. Your body may make some insulin, but not enough.
How Insulin Can Help With Type 2 Diabetes:
Many people with type 2 diabetes follow meal and physical activity plans to help manage their blood sugar. However, following a meal plan and staying active often are not enough to keep blood sugar in check. Medicine is almost always necessary.
In type 2 diabetes, many people find that as their beta cells stop working over time, they need to take insulin. If you have been told that you could benefit from insulin but have delayed starting it, you are not alone. Many people worry about injecting themselves. They wonder if insulin has side effects. They wonder if taking insulin will interfere with their lives.
Today, there are many insulin products and insulin devices available to treat all the stages of type 2 diabetes. You and your diabetes care team can work together to find the diabetes products that are right for you.