Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM)
- Is Insulin dependent diabetes with early age of onset in childhood or adolescence.
- It is characterised by autoimmune destruction of insulin producing beta cells in our pancreas.
- There will be marked or absolute insulin deficiency and hence blood glucose levels will be markedly high.
- So a person with type 1 diabetes should receive supplemental insulin from the time of diagnosis for the rest of their life.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)
- Is Non Insulin dependent diabetes and is more common than type 1.
- Unlike T1DM, people with T2DM are able to produce some insulin on their own, but their bodies are resistant to the action of insulin.
- It usually develops after 35 years of age, but it can also occur in younger individuals with obesity, sedentary life style and family history of diabetes.
- Along with life style modifications with diabetic diet and exercise, there are several anti-diabetic drugs and insulin that can be used to treat T2DM.
