Diabetes means the blood sugar (glucose) stays higher than normal, either because the body doesn't make enough insulin or because insulin doesn't work well. It is very common in India, often starts without symptoms, and over years can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and feet. Good control from the start prevents most of these problems.
Types of diabetes treated
- Type 2 diabetes: the most common type in adults, linked to family history, weight around the waist, and inactivity.
- Prediabetes: sugars above normal but not yet diabetes. This is the best time to act.
- Type 1 diabetes: the body stops making insulin, usually in children and young adults. Insulin is essential. Read about type 1 diabetes in children.
- Diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes), and planning pregnancy when you already have diabetes.
- Less common types, such as diabetes after pancreatitis, steroid-related diabetes and genetic (MODY) diabetes.
How diabetes is diagnosed
| Test | Normal | Prediabetes | Diabetes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting glucose (mg/dL) | Below 100 | 100 – 125 | 126 or higher |
| 2 hours after 75 g glucose (mg/dL) | Below 140 | 140 – 199 | 200 or higher |
| HbA1c (%) | Below 5.7 | 5.7 – 6.4 | 6.5 or higher |
A single abnormal result is usually repeated to confirm. Read more about early signs and tests.
What treatment involves
- A clear target for HbA1c and daily sugars, set for your age and health
- Food planning that fits Indian meals, including rice, idli and dosa, rather than a rigid diet chart
- Medicines chosen for your situation, including newer medicines that also protect the heart and kidneys
- Starting and adjusting insulin, and teaching home glucose testing or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors
- Yearly checks for the eyes, kidneys, nerves, feet, cholesterol and blood pressure
Diabetic foot care
Diabetes can reduce feeling in the feet, so small cuts and corns go unnoticed and turn into ulcers. At Dr. RK Podiatric Institute in Kolathur, diabetes care is combined with foot examination, footwear advice and wound care. Check your feet every day, and see a doctor the same day if you notice a wound, swelling, colour change or a foot that suddenly feels warm.
Go to an emergency department if someone with diabetes has vomiting with abdominal pain, very fast breathing, confusion or drowsiness, or a sugar reading that stays above 300 mg/dL with feeling unwell. Low sugar with confusion or fainting also needs urgent help.
Consulting Dr. Prasadh Rao L
Dr. Prasadh Rao L (MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Endocrinology)) is an Assistant Professor of Endocrinology at Madras Medical College, where these conditions are seen and managed regularly. Treatment is planned individually, because the right choice depends on the cause, your age, other health conditions and your plans, such as pregnancy. Consultations are available at Dr. PD's Diabetes and Endocrine Speciality Clinic, Maduravoyal (Mon – Sat, 7:30 – 9:30 PM), at Dr. RK Podiatric Institute, Kolathur (4:00 – 6:30 PM), and by appointment at partner hospitals and clinics. See all locations or read the doctor’s profile.
Book a consultation
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Written by Dr. Prasadh Rao L, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Endocrinology). Assistant Professor of Endocrinology, Madras Medical College. Tamil Nadu Medical Council Reg. No. 96520.
This article is for general information. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Please don't start, stop or change any medicine without speaking to your doctor.