When was the last time you checked your blood sugar? If you feel healthy, you may not think there is any reason to.
But some changes in blood sugar can develop gradually, and people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes may have few or no noticeable symptoms at first. That is one reason paying attention to blood sugar is an important part of preventive health (CDC).
What is blood sugar?
Blood sugar, or blood glucose, is the main type of sugar found in your blood. Your body uses glucose as an important source of energy.
Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from the bloodstream into your cells, where it can be used for energy. When the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively, blood glucose can become too high. (World Health Organization)
Why does high blood sugar matter?
Persistently high blood glucose can damage blood vessels and affect different parts of the body over time.
Diabetes is associated with serious complications involving the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and blood vessels. It can increase the risk of conditions such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and vision loss (World Health Organization). The important point is that these problems do not necessarily begin with a dramatic warning sign.
In particular, symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be mild or absent and may take years to become noticeable (World Health Organization).
What Signs Should You Pay Attention To?
- Feeling very thirsty or hungry
- Urinating more often than usual
- Persistent or unusual tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Unexplained weight loss
These symptoms can have many possible causes and do not automatically mean that someone has diabetes.
However, persistent or unusual changes are worth discussing with a qualified healthcare professional. (World Health Organization)
Who May Have a Higher Risk?
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is influenced by several factors which can include:
- Having overweight or obesity
- Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
- Being physically inactive
- Increasing age
- Having previously had gestational diabetes
- Having certain health conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Some risk factors, such as age and family history cannot be changed. Others can be influenced through lifestyle and health-supporting choices (CDC).
Having a risk factor does not mean that you will develop diabetes. It simply means that understanding your risk and discussing appropriate screening with a healthcare professional may be worthwhile.
Why testing matters
You cannot reliably know your blood sugar level simply by how you feel.
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can occur without obvious symptoms, which is why blood-glucose testing can be important, particularly for people with relevant risk factors (CDC).
Common tests include the A1C test, which gives an indication of average blood glucose over approximately the previous two to three months, and other blood-glucose tests such as fasting blood glucose (CDC).
The appropriate test and testing schedule depend on your individual circumstances. A qualified healthcare professional can advise you on what is appropriate and help interpret your results.
What Can You Do To Support Healthy Blood Sugar?
There is no single habit that guarantees healthy blood sugar. However, several lifestyle choices can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and support overall health.
Eat a balanced diet
Aim for a varied diet that includes nutritious foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes, while limiting excessive amounts of added sugars and unhealthy fats (World Health Organization).
Stay physically active
Regular physical activity can help support healthy blood glucose levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. WHO recommends regular physical activity as part of type 2 diabetes prevention (World Health Organization).
Maintain a healthy weight
For people who have overweight or obesity, achieving and maintaining a healthier weight can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (World Health Organization).
Avoid tobacco
Not using tobacco is another important step in protecting your overall health and reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications (World Health Organization).
Keep up with appropriate health checks
If you have risk factors for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, speak with a healthcare professional about whether you should be tested and how often testing may be appropriate (CDC).
Feeling fine is not the same as knowing your numbers
It is easy to assume that if nothing hurts and you feel energetic, everything must be okay. But preventive health works differently.
Some health conditions can develop quietly. In the case of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, symptoms may be mild or absent, which means testing can identify changes that you might not notice yourself. (CDC)
You do not need to wait until you feel unwell before taking your health seriously.
- Know your risk.
- Know your numbers.
- Take action when it matters.
Your health deserves attention before a problem becomes an emergency.
For more practical health information and resources, visit vitaguardiaonwellbeing.com.
VitaGuardia Wellbeing Foundation
Promoting Sustainable Health and Wellbeing
This article is intended for general health education and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Diabetes. Updated 1 September 2026. (World Health Organization)
- World Health Organization. Diabetes Fact Sheet. (World Health Organization)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes Testing. (CDC)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes Risk Factors. (CDC)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A1C Test for Diabetes and Prediabetes. (CDC)