Type 2 Diabetes - Patient Guide

What is it?

Your body makes insulin but does not use it well, so sugar builds up in your blood. High sugar usually does not hurt today — the damage happens slowly, over years, to your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. Keeping your sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in range cuts that risk dramatically.

What are the symptoms?

Often none at first. When sugar runs high you may notice thirst, urinating more often, blurry vision, or feeling very tired.

What can I do?

• Stop drinking sugar. Cutting soda, sweet tea, and juice is the single biggest change most people can make.
• Use the plate method. Half the plate vegetables, a quarter protein, a quarter starch. Eat regular meals — do not skip and then binge.
• Walk after meals. Even 10–15 minutes lowers your sugar. Aim for 150 minutes of activity a week.
• Check your feet. Look for cuts, blisters, or sores. Tell us about any sore that will not heal.
• Don't smoke. Diabetes plus smoking multiplies heart risk.

What about medicines?

Metformin is usually first — take it with food to avoid stomach upset. Some newer medicines also protect the heart and kidneys, and we may add them for that reason even when your sugar looks good. If you ever need insulin, that is not a failure — diabetes changes over time.

Your checkup schedule

• A1c blood test (your 3-month sugar average) every 3–6 months.
• Eye exam every year — diabetes can harm your eyes before you notice.
• Urine kidney test every year, and foot checks at visits.
• Stay current on vaccines, including flu each year.

When should I call?

• Sugars are staying over 300, or you keep having lows.
• You are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down.
• A cut or sore on your foot is not healing.