People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin to sustain life. People with type 2 diabetes either produce inadequate insulin or have insulin resistance (which means the cells have difficulty responding to insulin) or both. Treatment for type 2 usually begins with a change in diet and exercise. However, very overweight, inactive newly diagnosed people with diabetes may have such a high blood glucose level that they may initially need insulin to bring blood glucose under control. Many people with type 2 diabetes can manage their diabetes with lifestyle changes and oral medications. Diabetes is a progressive disease, and in spite of a person’s best efforts, he may need insulin to control blood glucose at some time.
