Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition in which the body is unable to properly use and store glucose. This results in blood sugar rising too high (hyperglycemia). This occurs because the body either does not produce enough insulin, or the cells fail to respond effectively to the insulin that is produced.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, requiring daily insulin therapy. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, where cells fail to respond to insulin effectively. Over time, insulin production may also drop. It is heavily linked to weight, age, and physical inactivity, and is managed through diet, exercise, oral tablets, and insulin if required.
Key risk factors include age (over 30), a positive family history of diabetes, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and prior history of gestational diabetes. Research shows South Asians (including Indians) have a higher genetic predisposition and tend to develop diabetes a decade earlier than Western populations.
Common symptoms include:
If you experience any of the symptoms above, have a positive family history, are overweight, or lead a sedentary lifestyle, you should get a simple blood sugar test. Visit Diabelife Clinic for a comprehensive baseline screening.
Common tests include:
The HbA1c test measures the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in your blood, indicating average control over 90 days. For diabetic patients, the standard target is usually between 6.5% and 7.0%. For patients on active medication adjustments, it should be checked every 3 months; for well-controlled patients, once every 6 months is sufficient.
Diabetes care requires a structured, multi-pronged approach involving personalized diet planning, regular physical exercise, oral hypoglycemic agents (pills), or insulin injections. Regular checkups every 3 months with a diabetologist, clinical dietitian, and podiatrist are essential to track sugar levels and scan for complications.
Yes. The rate of progression from prediabetes to diabetes is approximately 20% over 5 years. Active lifestyle modifications—including standard calorie-deficit diets, 30 minutes of daily cardiovascular exercise, weight loss, and medical guidance (like preventive metformin)—can significantly delay or reverse prediabetes.
Monitoring helps you and your diabetologist understand how meals, stress, exercise, and pills affect your blood sugar. It is critical for avoiding sudden low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if you take insulin, and helps prevent long-term microvascular and cardiovascular damage by maintaining stability.
Chronic high blood glucose can cause major complications, including heart attacks, strokes, chronic kidney disease (nephropathy), nerve damage (neuropathy leading to pain and numbness), visual impairment (retinopathy), peripheral arterial disease (leading to non-healing wounds and amputations), and impotence.
About 30% to 50% of diabetics experience diabetic neuropathy (sensory nerve damage). Because of sensory loss, small cuts or pebbles in the shoe can cause painless injuries. These untreated wounds turn into chronic foot ulcers, which represent a major cause of lower-limb amputations. Annual screenings using digital biothesiometry quantify nerve function to prevent this risk early.
Yes. Specially designed footwear made of shock-absorbing Microcellular Rubber (MCR) or Microcellular Polymer (MCP) reduces friction, distributes weight evenly across the sole, and protects vulnerable pressure points. Diabetic individuals must avoid walking barefoot to prevent unexpected cuts.