Celebrated on June 26, National Diabetes Day draws attention to the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and monitoring of the disease. Although it may present some signs, diabetes often goes unnoticed, especially in the early stages.

Symptoms such as constant tiredness, intense thirst, increased hunger and frequent need to urinate are often associated with stress, the fast pace of daily life or even heat. However, these signs may be related to changes in blood glucose levels.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, around 16.6 million Brazilian adults live with diabetes. illnessequivalent to approximately 10.6% of the country’s adult population, placing Brazil among the nations with the highest number of cases in the world. The trend is for growth: the estimate is that this total will reach 21.5 million by 2030, driven mainly by type 2 diabetes, responsible for around 90% of diagnoses and directly associated with factors such as obesity and sedentary lifestyle.

Signs that diabetes may be advanced

Even without apparent symptoms, the disease can cause progressive damage to the body, affecting blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, nerves and heart. When signs become more evident, such as blurred vision, recurring infections, difficult-to-heal wounds or tingling in the extremities, the condition may already be more advanced.

“Type 2 diabetes does not usually cause symptoms at the beginning. Glucose rises little by little, over years, without clear signs, and many people follow their routine normally, without realizing that something is wrong”, explains the endocrinologist at Vera Cruz Hospital, in Campinas (SP), Maria Beatriz Dias.

Impact of lifestyle on health

The increase in diabetes cases is directly related to the current lifestyle, marked by a sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep quality, high levels of stress and frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks. This context favors weight gain and insulin resistance, a condition in which the body needs to produce increasing amounts of the hormone to keep glucose under control.

“Despite advances in treatment, including medications that also help with weight loss and, in some cases, can lead to remission of type 2 diabetes, control of the disease still depends, mainly, on the routine of the doctor. patient. And it’s not about perfection, but about consistency”, adds the endocrinologist.

Habits that help control diabetes

In clinical practice, some habits make a real difference in controlling the disease. They are:

• Practice physical activity regularly, prioritizing exercises that are possible to maintain;
• Combine aerobic activities and strength training;
• Maintain adequate weight;
• Reduce sugar consumption;
• Decrease food consumption ultra-processed;
• Take care of the quality of your sleep;
• Avoid a sedentary lifestyle and smoking;
• Control other health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

“There is no magic solution. What works is what the patient can sustain over time. Small changes, when maintained, have much more impact than radical measures that do not last”, reinforces Maria Beatriz Dias.

Continuous care is essential

When uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to serious complications, such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss and amputations. Therefore, regular medical monitoring and routine exams are essential, even in the absence of symptoms.

After the diagnosis, the routine undergoes adjustments, which include a balanced diet, physical activity, weight control and constant health monitoring. With proper guidance, it is possible to maintain quality of life and prevent the disease from progressing.

“Diabetes is not a sentence, nor should it be viewed with guilt. It is a chronic condition that can be treated and controlled. The sooner a person understands the disease and learns to take care of themselves, the better the chances of a healthy life”, concludes the specialist.

By Aline Telles