Living with type 2 diabetes

Insulin normally helps glucose move from the bloodstream into cells for energy. In type 2 diabetes, cells respond less effectively and the pancreas may not produce enough insulin to compensate. Persistently high glucose can gradually affect blood vessels and nerves. This raises the risk of peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney disease and stroke. Skin infections such as cellulitis may be harder to manage. Prediabetes and obesity can be associated with increased risk, but diabetes can occur across body sizes.

Follow the plan agreed with your diabetes team, including medicines, glucose checks if advised, balanced meals and regular physical activity suited to your health. Check feet and skin for blisters, cuts, colour change or warmth, and report wounds that do not heal. Keep appointments for blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney, eye and foot checks. Learn how your medicines work and keep a plan for illness days. Never stop prescribed treatment without advice.

Seek urgent help for severe confusion, fainting, difficulty breathing, chest pressure, sudden weakness on one side, trouble speaking or a rapidly worsening foot infection. Shaking, sweating, unusual hunger or confusion may signal hypoglycaemia, especially when using insulin or certain glucose-lowering medicines; treat it according to your personal plan and seek help if it does not improve.

Ask what glucose range is appropriate for you, how often monitoring is needed, which checks are due, how to manage exercise or illness, and what to do when a reading is unexpectedly high or low.