Type 1 diabetes happens when your body doesn’t make insulin, while Type 2 happens when your body can’t use insulin properly The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 1 in 10 people in the United States is living with diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that develops slowly over time due to several risk factors. While the two conditions have similarities, there are some differences in how they are managed.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks pancreatic beta cells. Type 2 diabetes happens when the body cannot use insulin efficiently. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes both occur when the body cannot properly store and use glucose, which is essential for energy.

The key difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that type 1 is believed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction and develops early in life. Type 2 diabetes develops over the course of many years and is related to lifestyle factors such as being inactive and carrying excess weight. It’s usually diagnosed in adults.