Living with diabetes - what you need to know
Peer reviewed by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPAuthored by Lawrence HigginsOriginally published 12 Nov 2025
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Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes or have been managing it for years, the more you understand your condition, the better you can manage it. We explore the steps you can take, what to watch out for, the questions you should ask, and the treatment you can expect.
Read on for our tips and expert advice on the essentials of diabetes care to help you in your everyday life.
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Qu'est-ce que le diabète ?
Diabetes - or diabetes mellitus as it is known scientifically - is when you have too much sugar (glucose) in your blood. It affects millions of people, and there are several different types.
Your blood sugar levels can get too high if your body does not produce enough, or any insulin - the hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells - or the insulin it does produce is not effective.
The different types of diabetes
There are several different types of diabetes, the two most common are:
Type 1 diabetes (T2D) - when your body stops making insulin altogether. It usually starts in childhood or early adulthood and always requires insulin treatment.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) - is more common and is when your body still makes insulin, but it does not work as well.
Other types of diabetes which are less common include:
Gestational - which some pregnant women may develop.
Type 3c - caused by damage to the pancreas, often due to pancreatitis, surgery, or injury.
MODY (maturity onset diabetes of the young) - a rare, inherited form of diabetes.
LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) - a slow-developing form of type 1 diabetes. As its symptoms appear to cross over between T2D and T1D it is sometimes called Type 1.5 diabetes.
The common factor between all types of diabetes is that sugar cannot get into your cells properly, so it begins to build up in your blood. Too much sugar in your blood may lead to diabetes symptoms.
Understanding the diabetes essentials
Whichever type of diabetes you have, it requires careful management to help avoid complications and stay well. But to manage it effectively goes beyond taking medicines - it’s about diet, rest, exercise, lifestyle, monitoring, education, and mental wellbeing.
Diabetes specialist, Dr Neesha Patel, Chartered Health Psychologist, founder of Evoking Health, UK, says it is about more than just numbers, highlighting the importance of the mind-body connection and self-compassion.
She says: “Managing diabetes isn’t just a medical task, it’s about the whole person. It involves your thoughts, emotions, routines, and lifestyle.
"Self-compassion and understanding that there will be ups and downs are key to staying consistent with long-term self-management.”
No doubt managing your diabetes requires mental resilience, so it is important not to blame yourself for your condition.
Katherine Wiechnicki, CDCES, registered nurse, and educator at Diabetes and Nutrition Partners in Texas, USA, says: “There are so many contributing factors to all types of diabetes. Diabetes is not your fault.”
It requires effort, but understanding your body, keeping track of your blood sugar, and speaking to healthcare professionals can help prevent complications and keep you healthier.
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The warning signs to look out for
To keep on top of managing your diabetes, it is important to understand the key signs or symptoms you should look out for, which may indicate your condition is worsening - or improving.
To do so, you should tune into your body to understand any changes and monitor your blood sugar, mood, energy, and physical health.
The most common symptom of diabetes worsening - high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) - is often hard to spot, as some people have no symptoms until it is very high.
The signs that your blood sugar may be too high include:
Feeling thirsty and having a dry mouth.
Vision trouble.
Sensation de fatigue.
Needing to pee often.
Perte de poids inattendue.
Over time, high blood sugar may lead to kidney damage (nephropathy), eye damage (retinopathy), and nerve damage (neuropathy), among other issues.
If you're taking insulin or certain other medicines for your diabetes, then you may also be affected by low blood sugar.
Low blood sugar symptoms to look out for include:
La faim.
Vertiges.
Feeling anxious, confused, or irritable.
Cold sweats.
Shakiness.
Palpitations cardiaques.
Fatigue.
If your blood sugar is very low, you may faint or have a seizure or fit.
Patel says if you notice increased tiredness or feel “hangry” throughout the day, it might be a sign that you are experiencing more swings in blood sugar.
It’s important to know your numbers and keep a record of how you feel. Wiechnicki says that wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), removes the guesswork of knowing whether your blood sugars are up or down - but your general goal is to keep your blood sugars in the range of 70-180 mg/dL.
Monitoring will not just keep you informed if your condition is worsening.
Dr Raj Dasgupta, Chief Medical Advisor for Sleepopolis, USA, says: “Stable numbers, consistent energy, and feeling well overall, often indicate things are improving.”
Making the most of your diabetes check-ups
Once it's established that you have diabetes, you should have regular check-ups with your healthcare team - at least once a year. If your symptoms are worsening or you’re at the early stage of your diagnosis, this should be more frequent - every 3 to 6 months.
Your annual review should include a thorough check of your diabetes - your tests will include:
HbA1c test – to monitor blood sugar.
Tension artérielle.
Weight and BMI.
Cholesterol levels.
Kidney and thyroid function.
Foot check.
Mental health and wellbeing.
You will also need eye screening - but this will likely be with a specialist eye doctor and not during your annual appointment.
Foot checks are a vital but sometimes overlooked part of your check-up. High blood sugar can damage nerves and impair circulation, making it harder for cuts or sores on your feet to heal, increasing the risk of complications. Wiechnicki has a useful tip for you: “When you get into the exam room, take off your shoes and socks - this is a visual reminder for your provider to check your feet.”
What to ask your healthcare professional
To get the most from your appointment, be prepared. Have a list of questions that you would like to ask. Keep notes of how you have been feeling and any changes in your symptoms. Ask for further explanations or more details if you do not fully understand what is being discussed.
Patel says: “When you think about worsening or improving on a day-to-day level, lean in to listening to your body and feeling or acknowledging subtle changes in how you feel."
One of the key questions you should ask is what your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure targets are. Wiechnicki points out that this is particularly important as your target numbers may change from time to time based on the latest evidence.
Other questions you could ask your healthcare team include:
Are there any diabetes-related complications I should be aware of?
Do I need to change my medicines - more or less, or new ones?
Are there newer treatments, guidelines, or technologies I should consider?
What changes could I make to improve my diet or physical activity?
How can I better manage stress?
Are there any local or online support groups or resources you recommend?
How often should I be checking my blood pressure and cholesterol?
What should I do if I notice my symptoms worsening?
The more you understand about how best to manage your diabetes, the more likely you are to stay healthy - and your check-up is one of the best times to get that knowledge.
Patel says: “Even if you think your question is basic, ask it. The more you learn, the more empowered and confident you’ll feel in managing your health.”
If you feel like you need more support or guidance, then Wiechnicki suggests you ask for a referral to see a diabetes educator (endocrinologist).
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Getting to know your medicines
A key part of managing your diabetes will be the medicines you take and understanding what they do.
If you have T1D you will most likely be prescribed insulin. It comes in four types - rapid-, short-, intermediate-, and long-acting.
For T2D Metformin is the first medicine you will usually be prescribed - it helps to lower glucose production and improve insulin effectiveness.
Other medicines you may be prescribed for T2D include:
Sulphonylureas - stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
SGLT2 inhibitors - help remove excess sugar through your pee.
DPP-4 inhibitors - help the body’s natural incretin hormones to regulate blood sugar.
GLP-1 receptor agonists - injectable drugs that slow digestion and boost insulin production.
You may also be given medicines for related conditions such as high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Whichever medicines you are using, it helps to develop consistent habits - such as taking each of them at the most appropriate time every day, looking out for any side effects, and understanding what is required to make them most effective.
Dasgupta says: “Different medicines work in different ways, and they can have side effects or interactions. Some can cause low blood sugar, while others affect weight or kidney function.”
Whilst advances in treatment and new, improved medicines are welcomed, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to keep on top of what you are being prescribed. As Wiechnicki says: "It’s an exciting time in diabetes management with new technologies and medicines coming out left and right.”
So, keep up to date with the new treatments and medicines that you are taking and what you may need to do to get the most from them. For instance, Patel says that with newer treatments - such as GLP-1 medications for weight and glucose control: “You should know these are most effective when paired with psychological and behavioural support to build sustainable habits.”
And whilst medicines are a vital part of managing your diabetes, they are just that - one part. They must be combined with your physical and mental health to be truly effective. Patel says: “Medicines are an important tool but work best when combined with healthy lifestyle habits.
And be patient, as your medicines will not have an overnight effect. “Change takes time, and diabetes medicines are here to help you - sticking with them is important,” says Patel.
Top tips for everyday diabetes management
We asked our expert for their top tips on managing your diabetes.
Santé mentale
“Adopt a healthy lifestyle because stress and negative emotions can directly affect blood sugar control. Find ways to manage stress, whether through relaxation, exercise, or speaking to a professional.” Patel
“Prioritise sleep and stress management. They directly impact blood sugar.” Dasgupta
“Always celebrate progress - acknowledge small wins as they build motivation for long-term health.” Patel
Mode de vie
“Build routines, not rules - make healthy behaviours part of your daily rhythm rather than rigid restrictions. This will make you feel good and stay consistent with the habits.” Patel
“Good nutrition, physical activity, taking medicines as appropriate and meeting regularly with your healthcare provider are essential - and find healthy ways to manage stress.” Wiechnicki
“Focus on a balanced diet and consistent portion control. Stay active - regular movement helps control blood sugars.” Dasgupta
Soutien
“Don’t be afraid to lean on friends, family, peer groups, or professionals because diabetes doesn’t have to be managed alone.” Patel
“Build a strong partnership with your healthcare team and ask questions often." Dasgupta
“Create your support team. Whether it’s friends, family, a local support group, or a diabetes educator - find the people who are going to be there to cheer you on." Wiechnicki
Contrôle
“Monitor your blood sugar regularly, but don’t obsess over every reading.” Dasgupta
“Stay curious and not critical. Notice patterns in your blood sugar, sleep, activity, and emotions. Self-awareness leads to better decisions. Be kind to yourself and give yourself time when things don't go to plan.” Patel
“Research shows that the sooner you manage your blood sugars when you are diagnosed, the better your chances are for avoiding complications down the road.” Wiechnicki
What is the single piece of advice you would give?
“Stay consistent and engaged with your care. Small, daily choices, like what you eat, how you move, and how often you monitor your glucose, add up to big results over time.” Dasgupta
“See living with diabetes as part of your life, not your whole identity. Small, consistent steps in caring for your body and mind make the biggest difference. Don’t aim for perfection, but focus on progress and being kind to yourself along the way. This is what your doctors want too.” Patel
“Make sure to get your info from reputable groups and sources.” Wiechnick
Living well with diabetes - a mother’s perspective
Darcie Pervier, MSPT, owner of Newburyport Wellness, LLC, Massachusetts, USA, is a women's health specialist, and mum to a child with Type 1 diabetes. In her professional and family life, Darcie has learnt that managing diabetes is about far more than blood sugar readings.
“Diabetes self-care extends far beyond A1C - sleep, movement, hydration, and stress management are just as vital as carb-counting,” says the mother of two daughters.
Darcie says her daughter’s resilience and health were pushed to the maximum - and as a mum, her stress levels and lack of sleep harmed her own health.
Darcie says that with her daughter's T1D, and professionally, she has seen firsthand how subtle shifts like increased thirst, tiredness, or feeling “hangry” can signal changes in blood sugar long before test results do. “Listening to your body is a skill worth cultivating,” she advocates.
Darcie educated herself as much as she could about diabetes, understanding that knowledge helps you to better manage your health. She also ensured she got the most from visits to other health care professionals and check-ups.
"In the early days, I made it a point to ask one new question at every check-up. Whether it was about menstrual cycles and insulin sensitivity, or the emotional toll of constant decision-making, I learned that no question is too small. The more you ask, the more confident you become.”
Darcie says when diagnosed in 2020, her daughter had an HbA1c of 16. With her and her daughter’s efforts, and the support of their healthcare team, this lowered to 5.7 in 6 months. “And we have been able to help her stay between 5.7-6.4 since,” she says proudly.
Darcie advises anyone living with diabetes to use every tool available. One example of this is when exploring medicine options: “When my daughter experienced burning from her long-acting insulin, we discovered alternative formulations that made a world of difference.”
To support her daughter, Darcie focuses on lifestyle foundations - sleep, hydration, movement, and anti-inflammatory foods. “We’ve redefined success - not by numbers alone, but by how balanced and joyful life feels.”
Darcie also says that she works hard at protecting mental health: “kindness and realistic expectations are essential for thriving.” But it’s not just her daughter’s mental health that is important - she realises that it has an impact elsewhere, and she needs to protect her own wellbeing. “When maternal health is a priority, kids are healthier.”
When asked about what she thinks is the most important thing we should all know about diabetes, Darcie responds: “It’s not just a condition - it’s a relationship with your body. And like any relationship, it flourishes with attention, compassion, and informed care.”
Where else to get help to manage your diabetes
Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation
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Historique de l'article
Les informations contenues dans cette page ont été évaluées par des cliniciens qualifiés.
Prochaine révision prévue : 12 Nov 2028
12 Nov 2025 | Originally published
Auteur: :
Lawrence HigginsExaminé par des pairs
Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
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