Diabetes is about more than what you eat or how often you exercise. It can affect your heart, kidneys, nerves and even your eyesight. And sometimes, the changes happening inside your body aren't easy to recognize until a complication develops.
November is National Diabetes Month, making it a good time to take a closer look at what diabetes is, what puts you at risk and what you can do to protect your health. It's also Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, an important reminder that managing blood sugar and keeping up with routine eye exams go hand in hand.
Whether you've been living with diabetes for years, recently learned you have prediabetes or simply want to understand your risk, there's a lot worth knowing.
Diabetes Doesn't Always Announce Itself
Type 2 diabetes can develop gradually. In fact, some people have the condition for years without realizing it. That's one reason routine screenings and conversations with your healthcare provider matter.
Diabetes develops when the body can't properly use insulin or doesn't produce enough of it. Insulin helps move glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into the body's cells for energy. When that process isn't working as it should, glucose builds up in the blood.
There are several types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the cells that produce insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin every day.
- Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't use insulin effectively or cannot produce enough to keep blood sugar in a healthy range. It is the most common form of diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and can increase the mother's risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Some common symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision and unexplained weight loss. However, symptoms aren't always noticeable, particularly in the early stages of Type 2 diabetes.
If you have concerns about your blood sugar or diabetes risk, talk with your healthcare provider about whether screening is appropriate.
Your A1C Is More Than Just a Number
If you've ever had blood work to check for diabetes, you've probably heard of an A1C test. Unlike a single blood sugar reading, which shows your glucose level at a particular moment, an A1C test provides an estimate of your average blood sugar over the previous two to three months.
The results can help identify prediabetes or diabetes and give your provider a better understanding of how well your blood sugar is being managed.
Generally, A1C results are interpreted as follows:
- Below 5.7%: Normal range
- 5.7% to 6.4%: Prediabetes range
- 6.5% or higher: Diabetes range
Your individual goals may differ depending on your health history and other factors. An A1C result is one piece of the picture, but it can be an important starting point for a conversation about your health.
The Complications You May Not Be Thinking About
When people think about diabetes, blood sugar is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But consistently elevated blood sugar can affect blood vessels and nerves throughout the body.
Over time, diabetes can increase the risk of:
- Heart disease and stroke: Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular problems, making blood pressure and cholesterol management especially important.
- Kidney disease: High blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, affecting their ability to filter waste from the blood.
- Nerve damage: Diabetic neuropathy can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain, particularly in the feet and legs.
- Vision problems: Damage to the blood vessels in the eyes can lead to diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions.
The important thing to remember is that these complications aren't inevitable. Regular monitoring, appropriate treatment and preventive screenings can help identify problems early and reduce the risk of serious complications.
November Is Also Diabetic Eye Disease Month
Here's something that deserves more attention: Diabetes can affect your eyesight long before you notice a change in how well you see.
High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. This damage can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that may cause permanent vision loss if left untreated.
Diabetes can also increase the risk of diabetic macular edema, glaucoma and cataracts.
What makes diabetic eye disease particularly concerning is that it often develops without early warning signs. You may not experience pain, blurred vision or other noticeable symptoms while damage is occurring.
That's why waiting until something seems wrong isn't a good approach.
If you have diabetes, schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year, or as recommended by your eye care provider. An exam can help detect changes before they begin affecting your vision. Christie Clinic Ophthalmologists are here to help. Click here to learn more about them and to schedule your appointment.
Keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control is also an important part of protecting your eyes. Your vision is worth protecting, even when everything seems fine.
Diabetes Management Is Easier When You Understand the Why
Managing diabetes involves more than checking your blood sugar and remembering to take medication. It means understanding how everyday decisions affect your body and knowing what to do with the information you're given.
For example, why does blood sugar sometimes rise after a meal? How does physical activity affect glucose levels? What should you look for when reading a nutrition label? How can you recognize when your blood sugar is too high or too low?
Having the right information and support can make these questions easier to navigate.
Christie Clinic Endocrinologists provide specialized care to help you manage diabetes and reduce your risk of complications. From medication management and insulin therapy to blood sugar monitoring and lifestyle modifications, they work with you to develop an approach that supports your individual health needs. Click here to learn more about the team.
Diabetes education is another important part of that process. Christie Clinic offers a Diabetes Education Class to help individuals build their knowledge and develop a better understanding of diabetes management.
Want to learn more?
Join us on November 20, 2026. Click here for more information.
Whether you're newly diagnosed or looking for additional guidance, diabetes education can help you make more informed decisions about your care.
A Better Understanding Starts With a Conversation
Diabetes is a condition that requires ongoing attention, but you don't have to navigate every question on your own.
Use Diabetes Awareness Month as an opportunity to check in on your health. Ask about your A1C, make sure you're up to date on recommended screenings and don't overlook your annual diabetic eye exam.
If you have questions about your blood sugar, diabetes risk or managing an existing diagnosis, start a conversation with your provider.
Because understanding what's happening in your body is an important part of knowing how to care for it.