Diabetes Alert Day

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system destroys insulin‑producing cells in the pancreas, so people almost always need insulin from the time of diagnosis.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body stops using insulin effectively (insulin resistance) and, over time, may also make less insulin; it is strongly linked with excess weight, physical inactivity, and genetic risk.

Type 2 diabetes is usually managed first with lifestyle changes and oral medications, and insulin is added if blood glucose remains high. Both types can lead to similar long‑term complications if not well controlled.  

Prediabetes often can be reversed, meaning blood glucose can return to the normal range and the onset of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed.

Large studies show that losing about 5–7% of body weight, being physically active at least 150 minutes per week, and improving diet can cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by roughly half or more.

These changes are usually more effective than starting metformin alone for most adults with prediabetes.  

Current expert consensus is that type 2 diabetes is not considered “cured,” but some people can achieve remission, where blood glucose stays in the normal or near‑normal range without glucose‑lowering medication for at least several months.

Remission is most likely early in the disease and is usually achieved through substantial weight loss from intensive lifestyle programs, very low‑calorie diets, or bariatric surgery.

Even in remission, diabetes can return, so ongoing monitoring and healthy habits remain important.  

The best evidence supports a combination of modest weight loss, regular physical activity, and dietary changes.

In the U.S. Diabetes Prevention Program, losing 5–7% of starting weight and getting at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (such as brisk walking) reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 58% in adults with prediabetes.

Eating more whole grains, vegetables, and legumes, limiting sugary drinks and refined carbohydrates, and reducing overall calories and saturated fat all contribute to lowering risk.  

Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are typically diagnosed with a fasting plasma glucose test, an A1C test, or an oral glucose tolerance test.

Major medical groups recommend routine testing for adults starting in midlife, and earlier for people who have excess weight plus additional risk factors such as a family history of diabetes, a history of gestational diabetes, or belonging to certain higher‑risk ethnic groups.

People with symptoms like unusual thirst, frequent urination, unintended weight loss, or blurred vision should talk with a health professional about testing regardless of age.  

Diabetes is a major global health issue that affects countries at every income level.

The World Health Organization estimates that the number of adults living with diabetes has risen from about 108 million in 1980 to over 420 million worldwide, with the fastest growth in low‑ and middle‑income countries.

Urbanization, reduced physical activity, changes in diet, and limited access to preventive care all contribute to rising rates and to serious complications where diagnosis and treatment are delayed.  

Common myths include the ideas that eating sugar alone causes diabetes, that only people with obesity are at risk, or that type 2 diabetes is always mild and inevitable with age.

In reality, type 2 diabetes arises from a mix of genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors; people at any weight and age can develop it, though excess weight and inactivity increase risk.

Untreated diabetes is serious and can damage the heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes, but early diagnosis and treatment greatly reduce these risks.