What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Both types mean that the person's body cannot make enough insulin to decrease blood glucose concentrations after a meal. Type 1 is caused by the body's immune system attacking the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin, called the beta cells, and therefore is an autoimmune disease. Type 1 is normally discovered in childhood and it is treated by giving insulin injections. (This human insulin can be produced by genetically modified bacteria!) Wheres in type 2, a high sugar diet, obesity and a lack of exercise causes insulin resistance. So not enough insulin is produced and the liver, fat and muscle cells don't respond to it properly! So unlike type 1, it normally develops in middle age and can be managed with exercise and diet changes. However some people also require medication to increase the how much insulin is made and sometimes people also need insulin injections.