Every year on November 14, World Diabetes Day is celebrated. This date is an important day to remember that this chronic disease is increasing worldwide. However, in many cases, it is preventable and manageable. It is not just a symbolic day; it is also an opportunity to reflect on the impact of diabetes on health, to better understand its causes, symptoms, and complications, and to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis.

The slogan “Pay Attention to Diabetes” highlights early detection and emphasizes that people of all ages have the right to access clear information, regular medical check-ups, and proper care that enables them to lead a healthy life.

The Source of the Problem: A Silent and Growing Disease

According to the International Diabetes Federation, many adults with diabetes are unaware of their condition. In fact, FID estimates that about half of adults with diabetes are undiagnosed; this means that approximately 193 million people are undiagnosed. This situation means that millions of people live with uncontrolled high blood sugar levels, which increases the risk of serious complications in the medium and long term.

Type 2 diabetes is particularly problematic because it can remain undiagnosed for years. During this time, a person may not show any obvious symptoms, but hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar) gradually harms the body. By the time it is finally diagnosed, in many cases, there are already damaged organs such as the eyes, kidneys, heart, or blood vessels.

This global increase in cases has led to the assessment of diabetes as a real world epidemic. Over the past few decades, the number of people with diabetes has increased exponentially, and the disease has begun to rank among the leading causes of death and disability in many countries. This is closely related to changes in lifestyle: sedentary behavior, unhealthy diets, excess weight, and obesity.

Moreover, diabetes not only affects the individual but also harms the health system and economy of countries. Treatment increases the need for hospitalization, loss of workforce, and long-term care. A large part of these problems can be prevented through prevention, early diagnosis, and good disease management.

Given all this, detecting diabetes as soon as possible is essential. Early diagnosis allows for the initiation of treatment, such as adjusting caloric intake, increasing physical activity, and using medication or insulin when necessary; this occurs before irreversible damage to the body takes place.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot effectively use the insulin produced.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, and its primary function is to allow glucose to enter cells. Glucose is essentially the primary fuel that we obtain from food and that cells use to produce energy.

When the body does not produce enough insulin or this hormone fails to function properly, glucose accumulates in the blood. This condition is called hyperglycemia. If hyperglycemia persists for a long time and is not treated properly, it can cause damage to various organs and systems such as the eyes, kidneys, nervous system, heart, or blood vessels.

All types of diabetes increase the risk of serious complications and early death if not well managed. Additionally, they increase the likelihood of developing other risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, or high cholesterol, which worsens the prognosis.

The good news is that healthy eating, regular physical activity, weight control, and not smoking can delay or prevent many cases of type 2 diabetes, and the complications of all types of diabetes can be significantly reduced.

Types of Diabetes

There are many types of diabetes, but the most common ones are:

  • Type 1 Diabetes. Typically occurs in children and adolescents but can also be diagnosed in young adults. Its causes are related to genetic factors and autoimmune mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. The immune system destroys insulin-producing pancreatic cells. As a result, the body stops producing this hormone, and the person requires lifelong insulin injections. This condition is difficult to prevent as it is not associated with lifestyle.
  • Type 2 Diabetes. Usually diagnosed in adults, but increasingly seen in adolescents and young people due to excess weight and obesity. In this type, the pancreas produces insulin, but it is not enough or the body cannot use it properly (insulin resistance). Treatment relies on nutritional education and healthy lifestyle habits, regular physical activity, and in many cases, the use of oral or injected medications that help lower blood sugar levels. Insulin may also be required in advanced stages.
  • Gestational Diabetes. A type of hyperglycemia that is first detected during pregnancy. It can occur in women who have not previously had glucose issues and is often associated with hormonal changes during pregnancy. It requires close monitoring as it can affect both the mother and the baby’s health. After birth, glucose levels may return to normal, but the woman is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Each of these types of diabetes is a chronic disease: it does not completely go away, but it can be managed with appropriate treatment and healthy habits. When glucose is maintained within the correct ranges, complications may never occur or may appear much lighter and later.

Diabetes can affect people at every stage of life: childhood, adolescence, reproductive age, working life, and old age. Each stage presents special challenges, so it is important for health services to adopt a comprehensive and continuous approach that is tailored to each age and situation.

Diabetes Symptoms: Signs to Watch For

Initially, the symptoms of diabetes may be ambiguous and can be confused with other ailments or daily fatigue. However, knowing the most common warning signs is important to consult a healthcare professional.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Increased urination: the kidneys filter faster to eliminate the excess blood sugar, producing more urine (polyuria). This can cause the person to wake up several times at night to use the bathroom.
  • Constant thirst: the body, losing more fluid through urine, tries to compensate with an increased sense of thirst (polydipsia).
  • Increased appetite: despite high glucose levels, cells may not receive the energy they need properly, leading to a feeling of extreme hunger (polyphagia).
  • Weight loss: it is possible to lose weight despite eating the same amount or more, as the body resorts to fat and muscle reserves because it cannot use glucose effectively.
  • Fatigue and weakness: a lack of energy in cells can create a constant feeling of tiredness, lethargy, or weakness.
  • Delayed wound healing: small wounds or scrapes may take longer to heal due to deterioration in blood circulation and the body's defense mechanisms.
  • Dry skin and sometimes, especially on the limbs, itching.
  • Blurred vision: changes in glucose can temporarily affect the eye's focusing ability and can damage the retina in the long term.

The presence of several of these symptoms, especially if they are persistent or if there are risk factors (e.g., obesity, family history, or inactivity), makes it important to consult a healthcare professional.

Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

There are some risk factors that we cannot change, such as genetics or age, but there are also other factors that are completely controllable. Keeping these under control is one of the keys to managing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

  • Obesity or excess weight: especially excess fat in the abdominal area is directly related to insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes.
  • Sedentary lifestyle: lack of physical activity promotes weight gain and reduces the body's ability to use glucose effectively.
  • Unhealthy diet: a diet rich in simple sugars, saturated fats, and processed foods, and low in fruits, vegetables, and fiber increases the risk of hyperglycemia and obesity.
  • Family factors: those with type 2 diabetes in first-degree relatives (father, mother, sibling) have a significantly increased likelihood of developing this disease.
  • Older age: the risk increases with age, especially over middle age, but cases are increasingly being diagnosed in younger individuals as well.
  • Previous gestational diabetes: women who had diabetes during pregnancy are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.
  • Smoking: smoking is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and worsens its complications. Quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of developing this disease.

Controlling these factors with healthy lifestyle habits not only helps prevent diabetes but also prevents other related diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer.

How is Diabetes Diagnosed?

Diabetes screening is based on assessing risk factors and possible symptoms. Healthcare professionals use various tools to score different items (age, body mass index, family history, presence of hypertension, etc.) and predict a person's risk of developing diabetes.

Additionally, laboratory tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Some of the most commonly used tests include:

  • Fasting blood sugar: measures blood sugar levels after a fasting period. Repeated high values may indicate diabetes.
  • Oral glucose tolerance test: a known amount of glucose is given, and measurements are taken over several hours. It assesses how the body responds to the sugar load.
  • Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c): indicates the average blood sugar level over the past few months, making it very useful for assessing long-term control and detecting diabetes or prediabetes.

These blood tests allow for a definitive confirmation of the presence of the disease. After diagnosis, regular check-ups are necessary to adjust treatment and detect early complications; these complications may include kidney damage, eye problems, or foot issues.

Complications, Treatment, and Management of Diabetes

If poorly managed, diabetes can become one of the leading causes of significant health issues such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and lower limb amputations. It is also associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis and other infections and can affect the course of many chronic diseases.

Despite this, diabetes can be effectively treated. Good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, along with regular check-ups, helps prevent or delay many complications.

Individuals with diabetes need to undergo regular tests to detect complications, including:

  • Kidney function tests: blood and urine tests to detect early damage to the kidneys.
  • Regular eye examinations: retina checks to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy.
  • Foot assessments: examination of circulation and sensitivity to detect early problems and prevent ulcers and amputations.

Treatment may include lifestyle changes (nutrition, physical activity, quitting smoking), oral medications, injectable medications, and in many cases, insulin. A multidisciplinary healthcare team (doctors, nurses, nutritionists, etc.) along with self-care education is critical for the individual to make informed decisions in their daily life.

November 14: World Diabetes Day

The celebration of World Diabetes Day is the most important awareness campaign about this disease. It was created in response to the increasing number of patients and emphasizes the need to keep diabetes in the public and political spotlight.

This day brings together millions of people in dozens of countries; children, adolescents, and adults with diabetes, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the media. Throughout this day and before and after, many local, national, and international events are organized to raise awareness, promote prevention, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

Some commonly organized events include:

  • Radio and television programs to provide information about diabetes and answer frequently asked questions.
  • Sports events (walks, runs, bike rides) to promote physical activity.
  • Free screenings and diabetes screening campaigns to promote early detection.
  • Informational meetings and talks open to public participation, with the involvement of professionals and patient associations.
  • Exhibitions, workshops, poster, and brochure campaigns in health centers, schools, businesses, and public spaces.
  • Illuminating important buildings in blue; this is the representative color of diabetes.
  • Creating blue circles; these are events where people come together to form the symbol of diabetes.

The World Diabetes Day campaign has a well-recognized logo: a blue circle. This symbol was adopted by a United Nations resolution and represents the unity of the international community against the diabetes epidemic. The circle symbolizes life and health, while the blue color evokes the sky that unites all nations and the color of the UN flag.

Each year, a main theme related to diabetes is proposed (for example, the importance of nursing staff, care at every stage of life, or access to education and healthcare related to diabetes), which focuses on different aspects of the disease and strengthens the necessity of public policies to provide inclusive, equitable, and quality care.

Often, the public is encouraged to actively participate in the campaign; for instance, they are asked to place a blue circle on their social media profiles or to show their support by using “selfie” applications specific to World Diabetes Day. These symbolic actions, combined with educational and screening events, help to create global awareness and promote changes that will improve the quality of life for those living with diabetes.

If you want to participate in the digital initiative, the International Diabetes Federation offers an application to create a ‘selfie’ with a blue circle. Basic instructions:

  1. Download the app to your device: iOS or Android.
  2. Allow the app to access your photo so you can share it on social media.
  3. Take a selfie or choose an image from your gallery.
  4. Move and adjust the blue circle over the image. Use your creativity!
  5. Share your ‘selfie’ on social media with a support and awareness message.

I already have my blue circle and my support photo for World Diabetes Day. How about you? Are you ready to take action to protect your health and share the message?

Every November 14, but also throughout the rest of the year, diabetes reminds us of the importance of adopting healthy habits, knowing our risk factors, and having regular check-ups; these small steps can make a big difference over time in the prevention, early detection, and management of this disease.