20, Nov 2025
November is National Diabetes Month, raising awareness about diabetes and its prevention, early detection and management.
Diabetes mellitus affects how the body processes blood sugar.
In diabetic patients, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Sometimes, in diabetic patients, the body cannot effectively use insulin.
If left undiagnosed and then untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as nerve damage, vision loss, kidney failure, stroke, and heart disease.
A regular blood sugar reading is below 100. Patients are considered in a prediabetes state when their fasting blood sugar reading is over 100 and below 125. The prediabetes range after eating a meal is 140 to 199.
An important test used to measure overall glycemic control in a diabetic patient is the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test. It is a simple blood test measuring an estimated average blood sugar over the past two to three months. A1c is commonly used to diagnose both prediabetes and diabetes and is also the primary test to help health care providers assist patients in managing diabetes. The A1c (3-month test) range for Prediabetes is 5.7 to 6.4%.
Three main types of diabetes mellitus include Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes, usually diagnosed in children and young adults, is an autoimmune condition where the body cannot produce insulin. The most common form is Type 2 Diabetes, where the body becomes insulin-resistant or doesn't produce enough insulin. Risk factors include morbid obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and family history. Gestational diabetes that develops during pregnancy increases the risk of type 2 diabetes later on in life for both mother and child.
Diabetes affects over 38 million Americans, with 97 million more adults having prediabetes, a condition that often leads to Type 2 diabetes without intervention. Raising awareness helps individuals understand their risk, recognize symptoms, and seek medical advice.
Common symptoms of diabetes that need to be recognized early include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds and tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms, consult your medical care team for a diagnosis.
Although the exact cause of diabetes is not known, it is thought to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Some people with a family history of diabetes or those who are overweight or obese are more at risk for developing diabetes than others.
Diabetes is managed through diet and lifestyle changes, and also with medication. For Type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes are essential in prevention and management. Eat healthy and focus on a balanced diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits, while limiting processed foods and added sugars.
Regularly exercise for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle helps reduce the risk of developing insulin resistance.
Routine blood sugar monitoring is essential for at-risk people. Oral diabetic medications or insulin injections may be necessary to manage the condition if sugars are not controlled with diet and exercise.
For individuals living with diabetes, working with their provider to develop a personalized care plan is recommended. This plan often includes medication, blood sugar monitoring, and strategies to manage stress and avoid complications.
With additional resources for tracking and helping ensure effective treatment, including sensors, insulin actions are more predictable than before. The benefit of sensors is that they follow glucose in real time for those patients who are on insulin.
Talk to your provider for a diabetes education class or a lifestyle program aimed at helping with weight loss, food education, exercise, and health coaching that enables you to live a healthy and happy life.
Prediabetes is a red flag to make dietary and lifestyle changes to avoid the path to diabetes. Discuss with your health care provider at your next appointment if you don't know your blood glucose level.
Dr. Sue Mitra and her staff strive to offer their patients the best care, advice and services available in the medical field with the goal to keep patient healthy & happy.
Dr. Sue Mitra is board certified in international medicine. She is seen here with a Cologuard, which is a noninvasive colon cancer screening test. (Photo by: Tim Shortt/Florida Today)