Internal medicine · Dubai

Diabetes Care in Dubai

Diabetes is a long-term condition, and good control depends on a clear plan that fits your daily life. Dr. Sheena Cherry, Specialist in Internal Medicine at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, diagnoses and manages diabetes in adults and explains every step along the way.

Because internal medicine looks at the whole person, your care also covers the conditions that often travel with diabetes, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and kidney health.

Checking blood sugar with a glucose meter

What this covers

  • Type 2 diabetes diagnosis and treatment
  • Prediabetes and raised blood sugar
  • Review and adjustment of diabetes medicines
  • Blood sugar monitoring and targets
  • Diabetes with high blood pressure or cholesterol
  • Weight and lifestyle support

When to see a doctor

  • Feeling very thirsty or passing urine more often
  • Unexplained tiredness or weight loss
  • Blurred vision
  • Slow-healing cuts or frequent infections
  • A high blood sugar or HbA1c result on a recent test
  • A family history of diabetes and wanting to be checked
Noticing thirst, tiredness or a high sugar result?Early checks make diabetes easier to control. Book a review and get a clear plan.
Your care

How Dr. Sheena helps

  1. STEP 01

    Full assessment

    Your history, symptoms, current medicines and previous results are reviewed together.

  2. STEP 02

    Targeted tests

    Blood and urine tests show how well blood sugar is controlled and check for complications.

  3. STEP 03

    A plan that fits you

    Medicines, eating, activity and home monitoring are agreed in plain language.

  4. STEP 04

    Regular follow-up

    Results are reviewed over time and treatment is adjusted when needed.

Man checking his blood sugar with a glucose meter at home
Emirates Hospital Jumeirah
Questions about diabetes?Call 800 444 444
Whole-person care

Diabetes care that looks beyond blood sugar

Over time, diabetes can affect the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. As an internal medicine specialist, Dr. Sheena keeps the whole picture in view, so related risks are checked and treated together.

  • Heart and blood pressureBlood pressure and cholesterol are reviewed too, because they add to heart risk.
  • Kidney checksRegular blood and urine tests help spot early kidney changes.
  • One clear planYour medicines, targets and next review date are agreed and written down.
Book a consultation
In depth

Diabetes care: what to know

A closer look at the condition, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated.

Finger-prick blood sugar test with a lancet pen
Understanding diabetes
01 / 03

Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and what your numbers mean

Type 2 diabetes happens when the body stops using insulin well, so sugar builds up in the blood. Prediabetes is the stage before, when levels are raised but not yet in the diabetes range. Both can be found early with simple blood tests.

  • PrediabetesA raised HbA1c or fasting sugar is a chance to act early, often with lifestyle changes alone.
  • Type 2 diabetesThe most common type in adults. It often develops slowly and may cause few symptoms at first.
  • Your HbA1cShows your average blood sugar over about three months. Dr. Sheena explains what your number means for you.
Patient sorting their medicines
Treatment
02 / 03

Medicines reviewed and adjusted with care

Many people with diabetes take several medicines for sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. Dr. Sheena reviews them together so your treatment is simple, safe and works as intended.

  • Medicine reviewDoses, timing and side effects are checked at each visit.
  • Fewer lowsThe risk of low blood sugar is discussed, with clear steps if it happens.
  • Ramadan and travelAdvice on adjusting medicines when fasting or crossing time zones.
Healthy meals portioned into containers
Long-term care
03 / 03

Protecting your heart, kidneys, eyes and feet

Good diabetes care is about preventing complications as much as lowering sugar. Regular checks find problems early, when they are easier to treat.

  • Yearly checksKidney tests, cholesterol, blood pressure and a foot check are planned at the right intervals.
  • Eye screeningYou are reminded when retinal screening is due and referred when needed.
  • Specialist referralIf you need an endocrinologist, eye or foot specialist, Dr. Sheena coordinates the referral.
Everyday health

Small steps that help with diabetes

Daily habits make a real difference to blood sugar. These general tips work alongside the plan Dr. Sheena agrees with you.

Woman preparing a fresh salad at home01

Build balanced meals

Fill half your plate with vegetables, then add lean protein and a smaller portion of whole grains.

Man walking along a tree-lined road02

Keep moving

A short walk after meals can help lower blood sugar. Aim for some activity on most days.

Glucose meter beside an apple and almonds03

Track your readings

If you test at home, note your results and bring them to your next appointment.

General information only. Dr. Sheena will tailor advice to your health and any medicines you take.

Dr. Sheena CherrySpecialist in Internal Medicine
Dr. Sheena Cherry, Specialist in Internal Medicine in Dubai
Specialist, Internal Medicine
4.93 / 510 reviews on Doctify
Your doctor for diabetes

Dr. Sheena Cherry

Specialist in Internal Medicine · Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, Dubai

Dr. Sheena manages diabetes alongside the conditions that often come with it, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, so you have one specialist who sees the whole picture.

She previously worked as a Specialist in Internal Medicine at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, and holds a Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine from Apollo Hospital, Chennai.

  • DHA licensedReg. No. 23662716
  • MD, Internal MedicineAnnamalai University
  • Cardiology certificateJohns Hopkins University
  • LanguagesEnglish and Malayalam
Lab tests

Tests that may be used

Only the tests that are useful for you are recommended.

  • HbA1c
  • Fasting blood glucose
  • Kidney function and urine albumin
  • Cholesterol profile
  • Blood pressure check

Ramadan Fasting Tips for People with Diabetes

More videos on YouTube
The process

From booking to follow‑up

What to expect when you see Dr. Sheena for diabetes, step by step.

  1. 01

    Book your visit

    Call 800 444 444, book online with Emirates Hospitals or use the Okadoc app.

  2. 02

    Bring your history

    Bring recent HbA1c or sugar results, your glucose meter or readings and all current medicines.

  3. 03

    Consultation

    Dr. Sheena takes a full history, examines you and explains what she thinks is going on.

  4. 04

    Tests and a clear plan

    Only useful tests are ordered. Results and next steps are explained in plain language.

  5. 05

    Follow-up

    Diabetes is reviewed regularly, often every three to six months, with HbA1c checks to track progress.

Patient reviews

What patients say about Dr. Sheena

Verified patient reviews from Doctify, shown word for word. They describe Dr. Sheena's care in general, not treatment for a particular condition.

4.93
10 reviews on Doctify

Doctor called me to follow up how I was, personal care appreciated.

Verified patientDoctify · July 2022

Very friendly and provides detail and clear clarifications

Verified patientDoctify · July 2022

Very supportive and have helped me a lot. I'm very grateful.

Verified patientDoctify · June 2022
FAQ

Diabetes: common questions

What is the difference between an internist and an endocrinologist for diabetes?

An internal medicine specialist manages diabetes alongside related conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and kidney health. If your diabetes needs more specialised hormone care, Dr. Sheena can refer you to an endocrinologist.

How often should my diabetes be reviewed?

This depends on how well your blood sugar is controlled and the treatment you use. Many people have their HbA1c checked every three to six months. Dr. Sheena will suggest a schedule that suits you.

Can type 2 diabetes be managed without medicine?

For some people, especially early on, changes to eating, activity and weight can bring blood sugar into the target range. Others also need medicine. The right approach depends on your results and overall health.

Can prediabetes be reversed?

Often, yes. For many people, changes to eating, activity, sleep and weight can bring blood sugar back into the normal range. Regular checks show whether the changes are working.

Do I need to fast before my diabetes blood tests?

HbA1c does not need fasting. Fasting glucose and some cholesterol tests may. You will be told exactly which tests need fasting when they are booked.

Can I fast during Ramadan if I have diabetes?

Many people can fast safely with planning, but it depends on your treatment and control. Speak with Dr. Sheena before Ramadan so medicines and timings can be adjusted if needed.

How do I book an appointment for diabetes?

Call 800 444 444, book online through Emirates Hospitals, or use the Okadoc app. Appointments are at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai.

Is my consultation covered by insurance?

Cover depends on your insurance plan. Call 800 444 444 to check before your visit, and bring your insurance card and Emirates ID or passport.

Book a consultation with Dr. Sheena

Appointments at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai.

Diabetes Doctor in Jumeirah, Dubai

Dr. Sheena Cherry provides diabetes care in Dubai for adults with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Care includes diagnosis, HbA1c monitoring, medicine reviews and checks for complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes and feet.

Because diabetes often comes with high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and weight gain, an internal medicine specialist can manage these together in one plan. Advice on fasting during Ramadan and travelling with diabetes is also available.

Appointments are at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, close to Jumeirah 2, Umm Suqeim and Al Wasl. Call 800 444 444 or book a diabetes consultation.

Signs of high blood sugar include thirst, passing urine often, tiredness, blurred vision, slow-healing cuts and frequent infections. Many people have no symptoms, so screening matters if you have a family history, are overweight or had diabetes in pregnancy.

Tests used in diabetes care include HbA1c, fasting glucose, kidney function, urine albumin, cholesterol and liver tests. Targets are set for you, and your plan covers medicines, eating, activity, home monitoring and follow-up.

Related care: weight loss and insulin resistance, hypertension and heart risk, annual health checks and fatty liver. Referral to an endocrinologist, eye or foot specialist is arranged when needed.

Internal medicine services: High blood pressure and heart · Thyroid disorders · Iron deficiency and anaemia · Digestive health · Weight and metabolic health · Healthy ageing · Post-COVID care · Fever and infections. Areas served: Jumeirah 1 · Jumeirah 2 · Jumeirah 3 · Umm Suqeim · Al Wasl · Al Safa · Al Manara · Al Satwa · Dubai Canal. Dr. Sheena Cherry, Specialist in Internal Medicine, Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 2, Dubai, UAE · 800 444 444 · Directions

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