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Written by Biotic Artlab
Jul 30, 2026

Diabetes mellitus type 1 / 2

Overview

Diabetes mellitus is a group of conditions in which the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes effectively, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. The two main forms, type 1 and type 2, differ in their underlying cause but share this common result: insulin isn’t doing its job of moving glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells.1

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. Scientists don’t yet know exactly why this happens, though genetic and environmental factors are both thought to play a role.2
Without functioning beta cells, the body can no longer produce its own insulin, so people with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy, typically through injections or an insulin pump, to manage their blood sugar.2

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, the more common form, develops when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin and the body’s cells become resistant to the insulin that is available, a condition called insulin resistance.3
In the early stages, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin. Over time, beta cells become exhausted and can no longer keep up with demand, and blood glucose levels rise. Excess body fat and physical inactivity are the two factors most strongly linked to insulin resistance.4

Why Visual Communication Matters for Diabetes Mellitus

Explaining the difference between an autoimmune process in type 1 and a progressive metabolic one in type 2, or showing exactly how insulin resistance disrupts glucose uptake at the cellular level, is difficult to convey through text alone. Clear visuals help patients, sales teams, and clinical audiences grasp mechanisms that are otherwise abstract.

How We Support Diabetes Communication

We help with:

  • Illustrations explaining insulin production, resistance, and glucose metabolism
  • Visuals comparing type 1 and type 2 disease mechanisms for education or training
  • Patient education content on diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment options
  • Sales and training materials for diabetes device and pharmaceutical companies

Have a Project in Mind?

Whether you’re explaining insulin resistance, developing patient education materials, or presenting clinical research on diabetes, we create visuals that make complex science easier to understand.
Contact us at info@biotic-artlab.com or reach out through our contact page to discuss your next diabetes communication project.

References

  1. Diabetes: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types. Cleveland Clinic. Available here.
  2. Type 1 Diabetes: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. Available here.
  3. Type 2 Diabetes: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. Available here.
  4. Insulin Resistance: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. Available here.