What is the difference between type I and type II diabetes?

The most important thing to remember is that type I diabetes is genetic and type II diabetes is mostly influenced by environmental factors (although there is thought to be some genetic influence). Patients with type I diabetes cannot produce insulin and therefore must carefully monitor their blood glucose concentration in order to self administer the correct levels of insulin. Patients with type II diabetes are insensitive to insulin; they may still be producing their own insulin but their body is not responding to it. The most effective treatments for type II diabetes at an early stage are lifestyle changes, including increased exercise and diet changes to decrease sugar intake and generally encouraging weight loss.