Diabetes Alert Day Spotlight: Why Early Detection Matters

On Diabetes Alert Day, this conversation with Angel Alejandro, M.D., an endocrinologist with Baptist Health South Florida, highlights an important message for patients: Diabetes is much more than just high blood sugar. While many people think of diabetes as a condition defined by elevated glucose levels, Alejandro explains that blood sugar is only a marker, not the root cause. Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease involving insulin resistance, impaired insulin production, inflammation, weight-related factors and hormonal imbalances, including issues with incretin hormones like GLP-1.

A major concern is how many people are living with diabetes or prediabetes without realizing it. In the U.S., about 115 million people have prediabetes, and the vast majority are unaware. Millions more have diabetes and remain undiagnosed. Fortunately, screening has become much simpler. A routine blood test called A1c provides a three-month average of blood sugar levels and can help identify whether someone is in a normal, prediabetes or diabetes range. Importantly, Alejandro emphasizes that prediabetes is not a guaranteed path to diabetes; it’s a critical window for prevention.

While some risk factors like age, genetics and family history cannot be changed, many others can. Lifestyle changes, such as improving diet, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking and managing blood pressure, can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Even for those already diagnosed, these changes remain essential.

Encouragingly, Alejandro stresses that many of the complications people fear, such as kidney disease, nerve damage, vision loss and even amputations, are largely preventable. Early diagnosis and treatment are key. He points to the concept of the “legacy effect,” where intensive management early in the disease can lead to better outcomes years later, even if control fluctuates over time.

Treatment options have also advanced significantly. Newer medications not only help control blood sugar but also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease (major complications of diabetes). At the same time, technology is transforming care. Continuous glucose monitors allow patients to track their blood sugar in real time, while insulin pumps can automatically adjust insulin delivery based on those readings, improving both safety and control.

The takeaway is clear: Diabetes complications are not inevitable. With early detection, proactive care, and the use of modern tools and therapies, patients have more power than ever to manage their condition and protect their long-term health.