Internal Medicine · 7 min read
Published · Updated
Editorial note: This article was prepared for this website from the sources listed below. Unless a named clinical reviewer is shown, it has not been attributed to or clinically reviewed by an individual KPMC clinician.
Care is broader than one glucose result
Type 2 diabetes affects how the body regulates blood glucose. Diagnosis and targets should be confirmed by a clinician because test interpretation depends on symptoms, medicines and other health conditions. Ongoing care may include glucose or HbA1c checks, blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney, eye and foot assessment.
Make treatment workable
Take medicines as prescribed and learn whether they can cause low blood glucose. Follow an individual eating and activity plan rather than an extreme diet. If you monitor at home, know your target range, when to test and what action your care team recommends for an unusual result.
Ask for written sick-day advice. Vomiting, reduced intake, dehydration or infection can change glucose and medicine safety; do not guess which medicine to stop.
Protect feet and recognise change
Check feet regularly for broken skin, blisters, colour change, swelling or loss of sensation, and use well-fitting footwear. Report wounds early. Keep appointments even when you feel well because complications can begin without obvious symptoms.
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Know your individual monitoring plan and targets.
- Request medicine-specific sick-day instructions before illness occurs.
- Report foot wounds or infection promptly.
When to seek care
- Seek urgent care for severe drowsiness, confusion, deep or difficult breathing, persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down or severe low-glucose symptoms.
- Arrange prompt review for a foot wound, spreading redness, repeated low readings or persistently high readings.
General information only. This article does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, seek urgent medical care. In Malaysia, call 999 for an emergency or go to the nearest emergency department.
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