What is type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood instead of being used for energy. In type 2 diabetes — the most common type in adults — the body still produces insulin, but the cells respond to it poorly, and over time the pancreas struggles to keep up.
Typical symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, slow-healing wounds, recurrent infections and blurred vision. Many people, however, have diabetes for years without any symptoms at all, which is why screening matters.
Why control matters
Persistently high blood sugar silently damages blood vessels and nerves. Over the years this can lead to kidney disease, loss of vision, foot ulcers and amputations, heart attack and stroke. The goal of treatment is not just a nicer number on a lab report — it is protecting the life you want to live.
The encouraging news: good control dramatically reduces these risks, and many people with diabetes live long, active, full lives.
The four pillars of good control
Our endocrinology team builds every care plan on four pillars:
- Food: regular meals built around vegetables, beans, whole grains and lean protein; smaller portions of white rice, bread, pastries and sugary drinks
- Movement: about 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly — brisk walking counts
- Medication: tablets or insulin taken exactly as prescribed, never adjusted on your own
- Monitoring: regular blood sugar checks plus HbA1c testing every three to six months
Check-ups every person with diabetes needs
At each visit we review your sugar control, blood pressure and weight. In addition, you should have:
- An annual diluted eye examination to catch retinopathy early
- A urine test for protein and a kidney function test each year
- A foot examination at every visit — and daily self-checks at home
- Cholesterol and heart-risk review, since diabetes and heart disease travel together
When to see us urgently
Seek care immediately if you have vomiting with deep, rapid breathing, fruity-smelling breath, confusion, a foot wound that is not healing, or sugar readings that remain very high despite your usual medication. Our emergency unit is open 24 hours a day, every day.
This article is for general information only and does not replace a consultation. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed, please speak with a doctor.
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