World Diabetes Day: Why finding diabetes early can make a real difference

Early action can support prevention, prompt treatment and protection against complications.

In Short

• Prediabetes can signal worsening glucose regulation before diabetes fully develops
• Indians and South Asians may develop the disease younger without obesity
• Sustainable Indian meals should balance portions, fibre, protein and quality

Diabetes does not always announce its arrival. Many people can have high blood sugar for months or even years without feeling unwell. They may continue with their usual routine, unaware that high blood sugar is slowly affecting their health. Sometimes, diabetes is discovered during a routine health check. In other cases, the first warning comes only when a person develops a complication.
This is why, when we talk about diabetes, we must talk about early detection as much as treatment.

DIABETES CAN BE SILENT FOR YEARS

One of the biggest misconceptions about diabetes is that a person will know when their blood sugar is high.

That is not always the case.

Symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, unexplained weight loss or blurred vision can occur, but many people have no obvious symptoms at all.

Blood sugar can gradually rise over several years. Prediabetes is often an important stage during this process. It is a warning that the body is beginning to struggle with blood sugar regulation and an opportunity to take action.

The important point is simple: we should not wait for symptoms before checking our blood sugar.

WHO SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL?

Everyone should be aware of their diabetes risk, but some people need to be particularly alert.
Regular screening is especially important for people with:

• A family history of diabetes
• Excess weight, particularly around the abdomen
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal cholesterol levels
• A sedentary lifestyle
• A previous history of gestational diabetes
• Previous blood sugar readings in the prediabetes range

For Indians and other South Asians, this becomes even more relevant. We tend to develop diabetes at a younger age and sometimes even without being very overweight.

EARLY DETECTION GIVES US TIME TO ACT

The real value of detecting diabetes early is that it gives us time.

If a person is found to have prediabetes, there is an opportunity to make meaningful changes in diet, physical activity, weight and other lifestyle habits before diabetes develops.

If diabetes is diagnosed early, appropriate treatment can be started before high blood sugar has had years to affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels.

In my experience, people often become more serious about their health only after receiving a diagnosis. But we should ideally start making these changes before a health problem forces us to.

Prevention Does Not Mean Following an Extreme Diet
There is a tendency to believe that preventing diabetes means giving up everything we enjoy eating. It does not.

A healthy eating pattern can be simple and familiar. We can continue eating traditional Indian foods while paying attention to portions, food quality and overall balance.

A few practical changes can help:

• Include more vegetables and fibre-rich foods in everyday meals.
• Choose appropriate portions of rice, roti, dosa, idli and other carbohydrate-rich foods.
• Include adequate protein through pulses, dairy, eggs, fish or other suitable sources.
• Limit sugary drinks, sweets and highly processed foods.
• Avoid eating more simply because a food is considered “healthy”.
• Choose a diet that you can follow consistently rather than a short-term restrictive diet.
• There is no single diet that works for everyone. What matters is finding a sustainable eating pattern suited to the individual.

MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE TOO

Physical activity is another important part of diabetes prevention and management.

This does not necessarily mean spending hours in a gym. Brisk walking, cycling, swimming, strength exercises and other forms of regular movement can all help improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health.

Even small changes matter. Walking more during the day, taking breaks from prolonged sitting and staying physically active after meals can become part of everyday life.

DO NOT FOCUS ONLY ON BLOOD SUGAR

Diabetes management should never stop at checking glucose.

Once diabetes is diagnosed, regular assessment of the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and other aspects of health becomes important. Detecting complications early can allow timely intervention and help protect a person's quality of life.
This is why diabetes care is not just about bringing down a number on a blood glucose report. It is about protecting the person behind that number.

THIS WORLD DIABETES DAY, LET US ACT EARLIER

World Diabetes Day is a good reminder that diabetes prevention cannot begin only after a diagnosis.

We need to identify people at risk, screen at the right time and act when the first warning signs appear.

A simple blood test can tell us something important about our health. But the real difference comes from what we do with that information.

Know your risk. Get tested. Act early.

For diabetes, early action can mean fewer complications, better health and more years of living well.

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