Quick Facts callout
- 11.4% of Indian adults live with diabetes, and 15.3% more are prediabetic (ICMR INDIAB study, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2023)
- Chennai has consistently reported one of India’s higher urban diabetes rates
- Diagnosed early and managed well, diabetes does not have to limit your life
Diabetes rarely announces itself. It often develops silently, and many people only discover it once complications involving the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, or feet have already begun.
At Deepa Hospital, our diabetology team, led by Dr. M. Sashi Kumar, builds personalized treatment plans covering diagnosis, medication, monitoring, and lifestyle support, so you stay in control of your blood sugar.
What Happens in Your Body
- Insulin lets glucose move from your blood into your cells to be used as energy
- When insulin doesn’t work properly, glucose builds up in the blood instead
- Sustained high blood sugar gradually damages the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and blood vessels
- Get screened early if: you have a family history of diabetes, are overweight, have high blood pressure, or lead a sedentary lifestyle
Types of Diabetes We Treat
| Type | What causes it | Who it affects | Our treatment approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Immune system attacks insulin producing cells | Often diagnosed at a young age; lifelong condition | Insulin therapy for life |
| Type 2 | Insulin resistance or reduced insulin production | Linked to weight, inactivity, genetics, and diet | Medication, insulin if needed, plus lifestyle change |
| Prediabetes | Blood sugar above normal but below the diabetic threshold | Family history, PCOS, or a prior episode of gestational diabetes | Often reversible through diet, activity, and weight loss |
| Gestational | Hormonal changes during pregnancy affect insulin | Pregnant women | Monitored through pregnancy; usually resolves after delivery but raises future type 2 risk |
Our Diabetes in Pregnancy team manages this condition through pregnancy and delivery.
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- Constant hunger or fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing wounds or recurring infections
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
If you notice two or more of these for several weeks, it’s worth consulting a diabetes specialist rather than waiting it out.
Risk Factors to Watch For
- Family history of diabetes
- Excess body weight
- Physical inactivity
- Unhealthy eating habits
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- PCOS
- A prior episode of gestational diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
How We Diagnose Diabetes
| Test | What it measures | When it’s used |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting blood glucose | Blood sugar after an overnight fast | Initial screening |
| Postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) | Blood sugar about two hours after a meal | Confirms diagnosis, tracks contro |
| HbA1c | Average blood sugar over the past two to three months | Diagnosis and ongoing monitoring |
| Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) | How your body handles glucose over time | Gestational diabetes screening |
| Lipid profile and kidney function tests | Related cardiovascular and kidney risk | Complication screening |
| Urine microalbumin tes | Early sign of kidney involvement | Complication screening |
| Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) | Glucose trends across day and night | Closer supervision cases |
How Diabetes Treatment Works at Deepa Hospital
- Consultation: We review your symptoms, history, and risk factors
- Diagnostic tests: Blood sugar, HbA1c, and related tests as needed
- Personalized treatment plan: Medication, insulin if required, nutrition, and activity guidance
- Ongoing monitoring: Follow up visits, with the plan adjusted as your results change
- Complication screening: Routine checks covering your eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and feet
Our Diabetes Care Services
Treatment & Medication
- Oral medication planning
- Insulin therapy initiation and dose adjustment
- Continuous glucose monitoring setup
Nutrition & Lifestyle
- Personalized meal plans
- Portion and meal timing guidance
- Exercise and activity recommendations
- Stress, sleep, and habit counseling
Complication Screening
- Eye screening for retinopathy
- Kidney function monitoring, with referral to our Diabetic Kidney Diseases team where needed
- Nerve and foot examination, with referral to our Diabetic Foot Ulcer team where needed
- Cardiovascular risk assessment
Diabetes Care for Every Life Stage
- Diabetes in Pregnancy: monitoring and management for gestational diabetes through delivery
- Diabetic Foot Ulcer Care: prevention, wound care, and treatment for foot complications
- Diabetic Kidney Disease Management: monitoring and treatment for kidney involvement
- Complete Diabetes Care: our full specialty overview for general, ongoing management
Why Personalized Care Matters
No two patients manage diabetes the same way. Your plan should account for:
- Age and lifestyle
- Occupation and daily routine
- Existing health conditions
- How your body responds to treatment over time
Continuous monitoring and regular consultations let your plan evolve as your health changes.
Our Diabetes Specialist in Chennai
Our diabetes care program is led by Dr. M. Sashi Kumar, MBBS, D.A, PGDHS (Diab)., CCEBDM (Diab)., Consultant Diabetologist and General Physician at Deepa Hospital. He holds postgraduate certification specifically in diabetes management, PGDHS in Diabetology and CCEBDM in Evidence Based Diabetes Management, in addition to his general medical qualifications.
Why Choose Deepa Hospital for Diabetes Treatment in Chennai
- Diabetes care led by Dr. M. Sashi Kumar, experienced in type 1, type 2, gestational, and complicated diabetes cases
- Complete in house diagnostics and monitoring
- Dedicated care pathways for pregnancy, foot, and kidney complications
- Personalized plans, not one size fits all protocols
- Ongoing follow up, not one time consultations
Conclusion
Diabetes is a lifelong condition, but it doesn’t have to limit your life. With early diagnosis, the right medical team, and consistent follow up, you can manage it well and avoid most serious complications.