Many people come to me and say, “Doctor, I have sugar.” When I ask what that means, most are not very sure. So today, let us start from the very beginning, in the simplest way I can.
Think of your body like a car
Food is the fuel. When you eat rice, roti, fruit or sweets, your body breaks them down into a sugar called glucose. Glucose travels in your blood to every part of the body and gives you energy to walk, think and work.
But glucose cannot enter the body’s cells on its own. It needs a key. That key is a hormone called insulin, made by a small organ behind the stomach called the pancreas.
What goes wrong in diabetes
In diabetes, either the body does not make enough insulin, or the insulin does not work well. So the keys are missing or stuck, and the glucose stays in the blood. The sugar in the blood becomes too high, and the cells do not get their fuel.
High sugar does not always hurt on day one. But over many years it can slowly damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. The good news is that when diabetes is found early and looked after well, these problems can be delayed or prevented.
How common is it in India?
A large national study by ICMR, called INDIAB, estimated that about 101 million people in India had diabetes in 2021, and another 136 million had prediabetes. That means a very big number of families are touched by this condition, maybe yours too.
The main types
- Type 2 diabetes: the most common type, mostly seen in adults, linked to weight, family history and lifestyle.
- Type 1 diabetes: the body stops making insulin. It often starts in children and young people.
- Gestational diabetes: high sugar that appears during pregnancy.
What you can do today
You do not need to be afraid. You need to know your numbers. A simple blood test can tell you where you stand. Walk for 30 minutes most days, eat more vegetables and dal, and cut down on sweet drinks. If you are above 30, or have a family history, get tested once a year.
If you live in Gopanpally, Gowlidoddi, Nallagandla or Tellapur, or work in the Financial District or Nanakramguda, a simple blood sugar check is available at our clinic in Gopanpally, Gachibowli. You can read more about our diabetes care or contact us to book a visit.
Keep reading
- How diabetes develops, step by step
- Early symptoms you should not ignore
- Type 1 vs Type 2 diabetes
- Does diabetes run in the family?
Your family doctor,
Akhila Reddy
MBBS, DNB (Family Medicine) | TSMC Reg. No. APMC/FMR/74261
AMC Hospital, Gopanpally, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
This article is for general health education and does not replace a check-up. Every person is different, so please speak to your doctor before changing any medicine. In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.
References
- World Health Organization. Diabetes fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
- Anjana RM et al. Metabolic non-communicable disease health report of India: the ICMR-INDIAB study. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2023;11(7):474-489. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00119-5
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes-2025. Diabetes Care 2025;48(Suppl 1). https://diabetesjournals.org/care/issue/48/Supplement_1