Diabetes is a scary word; it means there is an insufficient amount of insulin being produced by the pancreas. So what is the difference between the two?

Well for starters Juvenile Diabetes also known as type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease commonly found in children but can also occur in adults. The body’s immune system attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. There is no cure for this disease only insulin that must be taken for the rest of the person’s life.

According to the jdfr.org:

• There are at least 1.25 Americans living with this disease.

• 40,000 people are diagnosed each year in the U.S.

• 5 million people in the U.S. are expected to have T1D by 2050, including nearly 600,000. youth.

• T1D is associated with an estimated loss of life-expectancy of up to 13 years.

What are the warning signs?

• Extreme thirst

• Frequent urination

• Drowsiness or lethargy

• Increased appetite

• Sudden weight loss

• Sudden vision changes

• Sugar in the urine

• Fruity odor on the breath

• Heavy or labored breathing

• Stupor or unconsciousness

Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of 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. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:

1. Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.

2. Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

Some people can control their blood glucose with healthy eating and being physically active. However, in some instances your doctor may need to also prescribe oral medications or insulin to help you meet your target blood glucose levels. Type 2 usually gets worse over time, even if you don’t need medications at first, you may need to later on.

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others .Who is at risk?

Type 2 diabetes is more common

African Americans

Latinos

Native Americans

Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders

Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly.

You can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing it.

• Increased thirst and frequent urination

• Increased hunger

• Weight loss

• Fatigue

• Blurred vision.

• Slow-healing sores/frequent infections.

• Areas of darkened skin.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/dxc-20169861