According to the International Diabetes Federation, 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes worldwide in 2024. About 252 million of them were unaware they had the condition. At a recent briefing, Almaty endocrinologists outlined the warning signs of diabetes and explained how elevated blood sugar levels can damage the body for years without causing noticeable symptoms.
Living with diabetes
Doctors emphasize that one of the main dangers of diabetes is that it can develop without noticeable symptoms. A person may feel healthy even as elevated blood sugar levels gradually damage their internal organs and tissues.
Svetlana Kazaryan, an endocrinologist at Almaty City Hospital No. 7, noted that modern medicine has made significant progress in understanding and treating diabetes.
The discovery of insulin more than 100 years ago has saved millions of lives. Once considered a death sentence, type 1 diabetes can now be effectively managed, allowing people with the condition to live long, active lives, pursue careers and raise families.
Warning signs to watch for
According to Ayman Oshanova, an endocrinologist at Almaty Polyclinic No. 28, several symptoms may indicate diabetes.
These include persistent thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination (especially at night), increased appetite with unexplained weight loss and weakness or fatigue. Other warning signs include blurred vision, slow-healing wounds and frequent skin or fungal infections.
However, experts warn that type 2 diabetes may cause no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. People may feel well and continue their daily routines while elevated blood sugar levels gradually damage blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and nerves. This makes regular health screenings particularly important.
Doctors recommend preventive measures
Doctors say a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They recommend eating a balanced diet, limiting sugary drinks and foods high in added sugar, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.
Quitting smoking, managing blood pressure and undergoing regular medical checkups are also important.
