Diabetes knowledge hub
Start with the question on your mind.
Short answer first, then the detail you need. Written for real patient questions—not for keyword variations.
23 guides
I was just diagnosed with diabetes. What should I do first?
Start with confirmation and context, not blame. Understand which type of diabetes is likely, review symptoms and current glucose, learn how to take medicines safely, and agree on the first follow-up and complication checks with your clinician.
Read the direct answer Blood sugarMy sugar is high. What should I do?
A high reading needs context: the number, your symptoms, whether you have ketones, and why it rose. Recheck correctly, drink water if you are allowed to, take only your prescribed medicines, and seek urgent care if you are unwell.
Read the direct answer TestsWhat does my HbA1c mean?
HbA1c estimates your average glucose exposure over roughly the previous two to three months. It is useful, but your safe target depends on age, pregnancy, other illnesses, hypoglycaemia risk and treatment burden.
Read the direct answer FoodDo I have to stop rice, roti or fruit?
Usually no. Portion, preparation, total carbohydrate, protein, fibre and the rest of the meal matter. A plan should fit your culture, medicines, kidney health, weight goals and glucose pattern.
Read the direct answer MedicinesWhich sugar medicine is best?
There is no single best diabetes medicine. Choice depends on glucose pattern, heart and kidney health, weight goals, low-sugar risk, pregnancy plans, side effects, cost and your preferences.
Read the direct answer InsulinDoes starting insulin mean my diabetes is severe?
Not necessarily. Insulin may be temporary or long term and is used when it is the safest or most effective option—for example during marked hyperglycaemia, pregnancy, illness or when other treatment is not enough.
Read the direct answer Nerves & feetAre burning or numb feet caused by diabetes?
Diabetes is a common cause, but not the only one. A proper assessment checks the pattern, foot sensation, circulation, medicines and other possible causes before treatment is chosen.
Read the direct answer KidneysHow do I know whether diabetes is affecting my kidneys?
Early diabetic kidney disease often has no symptoms. Blood creatinine with estimated GFR and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio are commonly used together to look for risk.
Read the direct answer PregnancyCan someone with diabetes have a healthy pregnancy?
Yes. Planning before conception, reviewing medicines, improving glucose safely and coordinated pregnancy follow-up can substantially reduce risk for parent and baby.
Read the direct answer Weight & metabolismWill losing weight improve diabetes?
For many people with type 2 diabetes, sustained weight loss can improve glucose, blood pressure, fatty liver and mobility. The safest plan depends on medicines, complications, eating pattern and personal goals.
Read the direct answer Low sugar & safetyWhat should I do when my blood sugar is low?
If your glucose is below 70 mg/dL and you are awake and able to swallow, take 15 g of fast-acting glucose, wait 15 minutes and check again. Repeat if it remains low. Severe confusion, a seizure, unconsciousness or inability to swallow is an emergency—do not give food or drink by mouth.
Read the direct answer Illness & safetyWhat should I do with diabetes medicines when I am ill?
Illness can raise or lower glucose and can make some medicines unsafe during dehydration. Check glucose more often, maintain fluids if you can, and follow a written sick-day plan from your clinician. Do not stop insulin or change tablets from a generic internet rule.
Read the direct answer Foot safetyI have diabetes and a new wound on my foot. What should I do?
Arrange prompt clinical assessment, even if the wound is small or painless. Neuropathy and reduced circulation can hide severity. Keep pressure off the area, cover it with a clean dry dressing and avoid acids, blades or home corn-removal treatments.
Read the direct answer EyesHow often should someone with diabetes have an eye examination?
Diabetic retinopathy can begin without noticeable symptoms, so a dilated retinal examination is important even when vision seems normal. The first examination and follow-up interval depend on diabetes type, pregnancy, previous findings and how quickly retinopathy is changing.
Read the direct answer Fasting & festivalsCan I fast safely if I have diabetes?
Some people can fast with a personalised plan, while others have a high risk of low glucose, dehydration or dangerous hyperglycaemia and may be advised not to fast. Discuss the plan before fasting; do not simply skip meals while taking the usual medicine schedule.
Read the direct answer Older adultsShould diabetes targets be different for an older person?
Often yes. Safe goals should reflect overall health, independence, memory, nutrition, kidney function, fall risk, life expectancy and the burden of treatment. Preventing low glucose and preserving function may be more important than chasing a very low HbA1c.
Read the direct answer Liver & metabolismDoes fatty liver matter if my liver tests are normal?
Yes. Metabolic fatty liver disease can be present even when liver enzymes are normal. In people with type 2 diabetes, clinicians may use history, blood tests such as FIB-4 and, when indicated, liver-stiffness testing to identify fibrosis risk.
Read the direct answer Heart protectionWhy does my diabetes visit include blood pressure and cholesterol?
Because heart, stroke and kidney risk are shaped by more than glucose. Blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, smoking, kidney health and the choice of diabetes medicine may change the prevention plan even when HbA1c looks acceptable.
Read the direct answer Medicines & safetyCan steroids or painkillers affect my blood sugar and kidneys?
Yes. Steroids can raise glucose—often later in the day—and some anti-inflammatory painkillers can increase kidney-injury risk, especially during dehydration or existing kidney disease. Do not stop prescribed steroids suddenly; ask for a monitoring and medicine plan.
Read the direct answer MedicinesIs metformin a safe diabetes medicine?
Metformin is a well-established treatment for many people with type 2 diabetes, but it is not right for everyone. Kidney function, digestive side effects, vitamin B12 risk, acute illness and the reason it was prescribed should be reviewed rather than treating it as a universal tablet.
Read the direct answer MedicinesAre newer diabetes medicines better than older tablets?
Not automatically. SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1–based medicines and other newer options can offer important benefits for selected people, but the right choice depends on heart and kidney health, weight goals, side effects, cost, pregnancy plans and the rest of the treatment regimen.
Read the direct answer Emotional wellbeingWhat if I am tired of managing diabetes every day?
Feeling frustrated, guilty or exhausted by diabetes is common and does not mean you have failed. Diabetes distress can make medicines, food decisions and monitoring harder; naming the burden and simplifying the plan can be an important part of treatment.
Read the direct answer Family & caregiversHow can I help my parent or partner manage diabetes?
Offer practical support while preserving the person’s choices and dignity. Learn the medicine and low-glucose plan, help organize appointments when invited, and avoid policing every meal or changing treatment without the patient and clinician.
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