Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Dr. Liz Walsh, a Fellow in Pediatric Endocrinology at MUSC, answers questions about the differences between Type 1 & Type 2 diabetes.

Question: Do type 1 and type 2 cases look the same? Dr. Liz Walsh: Initially they can present very similar and but typically are type 1 children are younger than 20 and on they usually are younger adolescent, so on 8 years old, is it you know they can be a range of ages really and but typically they are in the younger set. Typically type 2 diabetics are in teenagers and of course all the way up through adulthood. Typically a type 2 is on how or over weight we do t based on your weight for height and typically they are weight based on their height and so over higher then we would except to see were is type 1 diabetics are usually been and some of your presenting signs can be very similar on your type 1 diabetics typically can present on with some weight loss and you do see that with type 2, so they can present bout the same. Question: Do you treat type 1 cases differently than type 2 cases? Dr. Liz Walsh: Well initially it really depends on the diabetic on type 1 is treating with insulin and it depends on how secure you are with the type 2. Diabetes can be treated with insulin no matter what type you are, but if you do have type 2 some children and some adolescence are able to be treated with a medicine and pills, but a lot of type 2 have to use in for this well. Question: What are some common misconceptions about diabetes? Dr. Liz Walsh: One is that is that I've mentioned earlier is that I did this to myself I cause myself or I cause my child to have diabetes and type 1 diabetes are certainly not true. Number 2 would be that I list it that lot of parents are very concerned that the miss the diabetes and that have been going on for a long time and a lot of times this symptom just reveal themselves and aren't present until you had until they present quickly although after a couple of weeks some times that's about how long it takes for you that symptoms before you start to recognize them, and so some parents are worried that they missed them. Others think and the lot of children think we're once I get out of the hospital and I live here I wont have diabetes any more if I illness that would be one that we see. Another one and this is a common problem that we have is even though I don't take care of my diabetes right now that's okay because the things that happen that are on my doctor always warns about me don't happen until I'm an adult, so I don't have to care of myself when I'm a kid. I can just do when I get older, and that we see a lot of times in which is a horrible misconception.