World Diabetes Day 2026Free national event at Constitution Hill · 12 November · 09:00–16:00Explore campaign

A woman confidently checking her blood glucose at home while a family member prepares breakfast

Living with Diabetes

Take the wheel of your diabetes journey.

Clear, practical information to help you understand diabetes, ask questions and take an active part in your care. Start wherever feels useful to you.

Start exploring

A message from our Chairperson

Knowledge, confidence and support for everyday life

Whether you have just been diagnosed or have lived with diabetes for many years, you deserve the knowledge, support and confidence to be at the centre of your own care.

Many decisions about diabetes happen beyond the clinic—in your home, at work and in everyday life. Everyone's circumstances are different, and some days are harder than others. Through clear, practical information, we want to help you understand your diabetes, ask questions and make choices that work for you.

You do not have to make this journey alone. Together with your healthcare team and those who support you, you can take an active part in your care and work towards more healthy years of life.

Dr Patrick Ngassa PiotieChairperson, Diabetes Alliance

These basics are useful for people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Your care plan and the timing of checks will depend on your needs.

Choose where to begin

What would you like to explore?

Choose a section, then select a topic. Each explanation is a short starting point.

Explore the section

Understanding diabetes

Select a topic to find out more. There is no set order.

Start with the basics

Understanding diabetes

What does this mean?

Diabetes means that sugar builds up in the blood because the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it well. Insulin helps the body use sugar for energy.

Why does it matter?

Care depends on the type of diabetes. Diabetes is not a personal failure.

What can I do?

Ask which type you have and what your first steps should be. You do not need to learn everything at once.

Ask your healthcare provider

What type of diabetes do I have, and what should I learn first?

Take the next step

Your questions, ready for your next visit

Add questions as you explore. You can print your list or save it as a PDF using your device's print menu.

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This list clears when you reload or close the page.

Your care, your questions.

Your results are information to guide your care. If something is difficult, tell your healthcare team. You deserve support.

Clinical note and information sources

This page gives basic information. Speak to your healthcare provider about your own treatment, targets and check-ups.

The 4Bs and 4Cs framework was informed by Living with Diabetes: Starting Insulin, Tshwane Insulin Project, University of Pretoria (2019), edited by Paul Rheeder and Tessa Marcus, with Patrick Ngassa Piotie among the contributing authors. The wording has been adapted for this introductory website experience.