While type 1 and type 2 diabetes are different diseases, I have included not only them, but also information on gestational diabetes, and a few other autoimmune diseases other than type 1 on this webpage. Why? For a variety of reasons:

While many people with type 1 emphasize the differences between type 1 and type 2, I have chosen to emphasize some of the similiarities. Why? Because there is a general assumption (in the type 1 community and the general public) that type 2 diabetes is simply caused by weight gain, a poor diet, and lack of exercise. The victim is blamed for the disease. People with type 1 are usually not overweight, and do not like to be blamed for their disease. I can understand that. But I think we should consider another possibility here-- what if people with type 2 are not at fault either?

 

I was diagnosed first with gestational diabetes, then type 2, and finally type 1. Despite the fact that type 1 is generally a more severe disease (in that taking insulin is required), I was relieved not to have type 2. Because, I thought, it wasn't "my fault" anymore. Now, I think we should consider that type 2 may have other environmental causes as well-- causes that an individual cannot control (exposure to environmental contaminants). One key study found that obesity did not increase the risk of diabetes in people with very low levels of contaminant exposures (Lee et al. 2006). This finding has yet to be confirmed in other studies, but if it is, then the implications are startling: obesity may not be the root cause of type 2 diabetes. Obesity may only exacerbate the diabetogenic effects of contaminants. And indeed, other studies have found that contaminants may contribute to the development of not only diabetes, but also obesity itself (see the height and weight page). There are, after all, thin people who develop type 2, and many of us with diabetes developed it despite a healthy lifestyle: regular exercise, a healthy diet (I was a vegetarian for 10 years before diagnosis), and never being overweight. That said, diet and exercise are still probably important factors in the development of type 2 diabetes.

 

In sum, I propose a truce between type 1s and type 2s, and a plea to those without diabetes to stop blaming the vicitims for this disease.

 

See the subpages in this section (listed below or to the side) for information on types of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and autoimmune diseases.