Types of Diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes tends to occur in childhood or early adult life, and always requires treatment with insulin injections. It is caused by the body’s own immune system destroying the insulin-making cells (beta-cells) of the pancreas.

• Type 2 diabetes usually develops slowly in adulthood. It is progressive and can sometimes be treated with diet and exercise, but more often Type 2 diabetes may require anti-diabetic medicine and/or insulin injections.

 

More than three-quarters of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.The number of people with type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing as it is commoner in the overweight and obese, which is itself a growing problem. The remainder have type 1 diabetes.

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*Type 2 diabetes is included in the Chronic Disease Management programme. Type 1 is not included as it is generally managed by hospital units.

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Pre-diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is higher than normal, but is not high enough for you to have a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes is the stage before a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.

• Pre-diabetes is very treatable, but should be taken seriously. People with pre-diabetes have a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

• If pre-diabetes is taken seriously, Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed. Being active, losing weight if you're overweight and eating healthy food can all make a huge difference.

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See our Healthier Living page for advice on how to improve your health, manage your weight, quit smoking or reduce your alcohol intake. 

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Risks Factors for Type 2 diabetes

You're more at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes if you:

• are over 45

• have a close relative with diabetes such as a parent, brother or sister

• are an adult who is overweight or obese

• have a diagnosis of pre-diabetes

• had gestational diabetes during pregnancy

• are physically inactive - for example, if you take less than 30 minutes of physical activity most days

• have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides

• have a history of heart disease

• have a medical condition that requires long-term steroid use

• are a member of the travelling community

• are of south Asian, Chinese, Hispanic, African Caribbean or black African origin

• have haemochromatosis - storing too much iron in your body

• are a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

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Useful Links & Resources

• HSE Diabetes

• Diabetes.ie - What is Diabetes? Useful videos explaining the differences between Type 1 & 2 Diabetes.

• Diabetes.ie - Type 2 Risk Test

• See our Healthier Living page for advice on how to improve your health, manage your weight, quit smoking or reduce your alcohol intake.