What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually over months or years with subtle signs that are easy to miss.
- Frequent urination, particularly waking at night (polyuria)
- Excessive thirst and dry mouth (polydipsia)
- Unexplained fatigue and low energy
- Increased hunger even after meals
- Blurry vision
- Tingling, burning, or numbness in the feet or hands
- Slow-healing cuts or skin infections
Warning signs: go to hospital at once
These indicate dangerously high or low blood sugar requiring urgent doctor evaluation.
- Blood sugar consistently above 300 mg/dL
- Severe drowsiness, confusion, or disorientation
- Rapid, deep breathing with a fruity breath odor (DKA)
- Severe shakiness, cold sweat, palpitations, or collapse (hypoglycemia)
- Painful foot ulcer, redness, or blackening of toes
Call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department.
The 3 phases of type 2 diabetes
Prediabetes
HbA1c between 5.7% and 6.4%. Lifestyle changes can reverse progression to full diabetes.
Established diabetes
HbA1c 6.5% or above. Requires oral tablets, diet discipline, and periodic kidney/nerve monitoring.
Complication prevention
Keeping HbA1c steady protects kidneys, cardiovascular health, vision, and peripheral nerve function.
Which test shows type 2 diabetes?
All diabetes screening and monitoring tests are carried out in our own lab with rapid results.
| Test | Best time | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin) | Every 3–6 months | Average blood sugar control over previous 90 days |
| Fasting & Post-Prandial Blood Sugar | Every 1–3 months | Immediate glucose response before and after eating |
| Serum Creatinine & eGFR | Annually | Kidney filtration function and diabetic nephropathy risk |
| Serum Vitamin B12 | Annually for patients on metformin | Detects metformin-induced B12 deficiency early |
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
Management combines evidence-based oral medications, kidney-protective therapies, individualized insulin if needed, and sustainable dietary adjustments tailored to South Indian meals.
At Nareddy Care
- Consultation with Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Vishnu Anjan Nareddy
- In-house lab blood draw with same-visit HbA1c report
- Foot sensory examination and blood pressure check
- Personalized titration of metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, or insulin
- Direct WhatsApp follow-up for sugar log reviews
Do at home
- Check fasting and post-meal sugar with a home glucometer as advised
- Include whole grains, millets, pulses, and green vegetables; limit white rice and sweets
- Walk briskly for 30–45 minutes at least 5 days a week
- Inspect feet daily for cuts, blisters, or dry cracks
Avoid
- Skipping meals after taking diabetes tablets, which triggers low sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Stopping medicines without doctor consultation when sugar readings temporarily improve
- Walking barefoot outdoors or on hot surfaces
- Commercial 'sugar-free' sweets that still spike blood glucose
How to prevent type 2 diabetes
Maintaining a healthy body weight, engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise, avoiding refined sugars, and getting an annual HbA1c test if you are over 30 or have a family history of diabetes.
Questions people ask
What is a safe fasting blood sugar level?
For people with diabetes, a target fasting level between 80 to 130 mg/dL is generally recommended, and post-meal sugar below 180 mg/dL.
Can type 2 diabetes cause kidney damage?
Yes. High sugar levels strain the kidney's micro-filters over years. Annual urine microalbumin and blood creatinine tests detect problems before symptoms appear.
Why do my feet burn or feel numb?
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy damages the small sensory nerves in the feet. Long-term metformin can also cause vitamin B12 deficiency with similar symptoms. A doctor's check clarifies the exact cause.
Do I have to take diabetes medicines for life?
Most patients require ongoing management, but early caught diabetes can sometimes achieve drug-free remission through sustained weight loss and healthy nutrition.
Adults seeDr. Vishnu Anjan NareddyMD (General Medicine)Children seeDr. Bramhini NareddyMD (Paediatrics)