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If I am not mistaken, type 2 is a bigger problem in this country.

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While type II or (type 2) has more patients than type 1, type 1 is much more difficult to manage. In Type 1 the Pancreas function has completely failed. In type 2 while the Pancreas functions there are other chemical balance problems that either miss-manage the insulin produced by the Pancreas or other chemical imbalances that retard the body’s ability to use the insulin produced. The usual management is to either increase insulin, enhance the body’s ability to use the insulin produced or through exercise and diet reduce the amount of insulin needed. All of these can be used together to make a person with type 2 lead a pretty normal lifestyle.

While in reality type 2 should be hardly a problem for people, unfortunately people are reluctant to follow the regimen required to stay healthy.

With type 1 you must be almost anal about managing the disease or you are constantly in the hospital or you go to your grave, in type 2 mismanagement exhibits its effects over a longer period of time with circulation problems and heart disease. Once these effects take hold it is very difficult to manage. The circulation problems lead to problems in the extremities especially the feet and legs, amputations are common.

So, while type 1 mismanagement leads to the grave pretty quickly if not managed well, type 2 can be managed with minimal effect on life but usually is not managed well so that complications from the disease make life miserable and in the end still kill you.