A mother once asked me, “My son has diabetes. Did he get it because he ate too many sweets?” This is one of the most common questions I hear. The honest answer is no, and it also depends on the type of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
In type 1, the body’s own defence system mistakenly attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. So the body makes very little or no insulin. It is not caused by sweets, and it is not caused by anything the parents did.
It usually starts in children, teenagers or young adults, though it can appear at any age. Symptoms often come fast: a lot of thirst, passing urine again and again, weight loss and tiredness. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin every day, from the start.
Type 2 diabetes
In type 2, the body still makes insulin, but it does not work well, and over time the pancreas also slows down. It is linked to family history, extra weight (especially belly fat), less physical activity and age. It builds slowly, and many people do not feel anything for years.
Treatment starts with food, movement and weight care. Many people also need tablets, and some need insulin later. That is not a failure. It is simply what the body needs at that time.
A quick comparison
Here is the difference in short:
- Type 1: sudden start, mostly in the young, insulin is needed always.
- Type 2: slow start, mostly in adults (now seen in younger people too), managed with lifestyle, tablets and sometimes insulin.
- Both types: need regular sugar checks and yearly eye, kidney and foot checks.
One important point
Whatever the type, the aim is the same: keep sugar in a safe range, protect the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart, and live a full life. If a child or young person has sudden thirst, weight loss and tiredness, please get a sugar test the same day.
If you live in Gopanpally, Gowlidoddi, Nallagandla or Tellapur, or work in the Financial District or Nanakramguda, a simple blood sugar check is available at our clinic in Gopanpally, Gachibowli. You can read more about our diabetes care or contact us to book a visit.
Keep reading
Your family doctor,
Akhila Reddy
MBBS, DNB (Family Medicine) | TSMC Reg. No. APMC/FMR/74261
AMC Hospital, Gopanpally, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
This article is for general health education and does not replace a check-up. Every person is different, so please speak to your doctor before changing any medicine. In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.
References
- American Diabetes Association. Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2025. Diabetes Care 2025;48(Suppl 1). https://diabetesjournals.org/care/issue/48/Supplement_1
- World Health Organization. Diabetes fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes