Diabetes: Power in knowledge

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Get care
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Understand the type
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Type 1 diabetes
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Type 2 diabetes
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Diabetes doesn't stand still and neither do you. It's a chronic condition that impacts how your body turns food
into energy.1

More than 800 million people worldwide are living with diabetes. 2 Learn how to actively manage your diabetes with medical treatment and lifestyle changes.3
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KNOW THE TYPES

Understanding the
three types of diabetes

Your treatment options may depend on the type of diabetes you are diagnosed with. Knowing
the type helps ensure correct care and empowers self-management, risk awareness, and
understanding of complications.
Learn about the differences:
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Learn about the differences:
Type 1 diabetes
Type1diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Type2diabetes
Gestational diabetes
Gestationaldiabetes
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Type 1 diabetes 4

  • What is it: The body can't make insulin or makes very little insulin
  • Who gets it: Often starts in kids or teens, but can also develop in adulthood
  • Risk factors: Linked to family history and environmental factors
  • Insulin use: Yes
  • Can it be prevented: No
  • Treatment: Insulin injections or pump and lifestyle management
Learn More
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Photograph of a person using a glucometer

Type 2 diabetes 8

  • What it is: The body doesn't use insulin well
  • Who gets it: Although more common in adults, kids can also develop type 2 diabetes
  • Risk factors: Often linked to family history, lifestyle or environment factors
  • Insulin use: Sometimes, but not always
  • Can it be prevented: Sometimes
  • Treatment: Lifestyle modifications and medicine
Learn more
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Gestational diabetes 9

Gestational diabetes occurs when the body can’t produce enough insulin during pregnancy, even without a prior diabetes diagnosis.
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DIABETES SYMPTOMS 10

Symptoms vary from person to person

In the United Arab Emirates, more than 1.2 million adults have diabetes. 5
Some are noticeable and severe while others are less noticeable and
milder. Below are some examples of symptoms. 3,4
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Urinate (pee) a lot, often at night
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Are very thirsty
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Lose weight without trying
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Have blurry vision
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Are very hungry
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Feel very tired
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Experiencing symptoms? Find care

Explore independent virtual care options
Get care
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Diabetes is not a lifestyle choice 6

There are many people living with diabetes who experience negative attitudes and judgment.

Diabetes is a condition that changes over time. Even if you’re doing everything right, your blood sugar can still go up and down. Managing diabetes takes work every day. Work like checking your A1C, taking medicine on time, being prepared, and dealing with costs.

It’s not easy, but you’re not alone. Every healthy choice you make is a step in the right direction.

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DIABETES DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosing diabetes typically starts with
measuring blood sugar levels 7

What is A1C?

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The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. The higher your blood sugar or A1C level, the higher your risk of developing problems related to diabetes. Your doctor will tell you how often to get the A1C test. Usually, it's at least twice a year if you're meeting your treatment goals. If you're not meeting your goals or you change treatments, you might need the test more often.7
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Understand the numbers

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The A1C test shows your blood sugar levels as a percentage. It tells you how much sugar has been sticking to your blood cells over the past few months. A higher percentage means your blood sugar has been too high for a while, which isn't good for your health. Most non-pregnant adults with type 2 diabetes should try to keep their A1C below 7%, according to the American Diabetes Association, but your doctor will help you set the right goal for you.7
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TALK TO A DOCTOR

Find a diabetes
specialist

Diabetes specialists can be hard to find, but they don't have to be.
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Start with telehealth

Connect with a licensed doctor online from the comfort of your home.

A telehealth consultation can help you understand your condition and discuss the next steps.

Book a telehealth consultation
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TREATMENT

Diabetes doesn’t stand still, and neither do we

Managing diabetes often involves changes to your lifestyle and taking medicine. It's important to work with your healthcare team to find the best plan for you. 3
Talk to a Doctor
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References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes basics. Atlanta (GA): CDC; updated January 2, 2026. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/index.html
  2. NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD‑RisC). Worldwide trends in diabetes prevalence and treatment from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 1108 population‑representative studies with 141 million participants. Lancet. 2024;404(10467):2077–2093.
  3. World Health Organization. Diabetes. Geneva: World Health Organization; updated 14 November 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 1 diabetes. Atlanta (GA): CDC; updated May 15, 2024. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/about-type-1-diabetes.html
  5. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 2025. Brussels, Belgium.
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes Stigma. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/articles/diabetes-stigma.html
  7. American Diabetes Association (ADA). A1C Test and Diabetes. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/a1c
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Type 2 Diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/about-type-2-diabetes.html
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Gestational Diabetes. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/gestational-diabetes.html
  10. American Diabetes Association. Warning Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes. Available at: https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/warning-signs-symptoms
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