Type 2 diabetes: understanding the condition

Glucose comes from food and is carried in the blood. Insulin helps move it into cells for energy. In type 2 diabetes, this process becomes less effective, so glucose can build up. Symptoms may include thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, slow-healing cuts and tiredness, although some people notice none.

Over time, raised glucose can affect blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys and feet. Prediabetes means glucose is above the usual range but below the level used to diagnose diabetes; it is not the same diagnosis.

Care is personalised. It may combine food planning, activity, weight-related support, tablets, injections or monitoring. Take medicines as prescribed and discuss side effects, fasting, travel, illness and missed doses with your clinician. Do not stop treatment because you feel well.

Attend planned reviews for glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, kidneys, eyes, feet and nerves. Check your feet regularly and protect skin from injury. A balanced routine that you can maintain is more useful than sudden restrictive changes.

Contact your care team promptly for repeated high or low readings, new foot wounds, spreading skin redness, vomiting or dehydration. Get emergency help for severe confusion, a seizure, fainting, difficult breathing, or sudden facial drooping, speech difficulty or one-sided weakness, which can indicate a stroke.

Ask what your personal glucose targets are, how often reviews are needed, which medicines suit your health, and how to manage illness or low glucose. Ask when your eyes, kidneys, feet and nerves should be checked.