Diabetes continues to be a significant health concern in Texas, with physicians from the Texas Medical Association (TMA) highlighting the severe complications that can arise from undiagnosed or poorly managed cases. Dr. Brandon Cantazaro, an internist and member of TMA’s Council on Health Promotion, practices in the Rio Grande Valley, a region where one in four people are affected by diabetes—more than double the national average.
“The burden of the disease is profound,” said Dr. Cantazaro. He noted that many individuals are unaware they have diabetes until they develop serious issues such as nerve damage leading to loss of sensation in their limbs.
According to TMA physicians, over 38 million people nationwide—including 2.9 million Texans—are living with diabetes. More than one in ten Texans have been diagnosed with the condition, and about 90% of those cases are type 2 diabetes, which elevates blood sugar levels and can result in major health complications.
Dr. Jayesh “Jay” Shah, a wound care specialist in San Antonio and president of TMA, encounters patients facing some of the most severe consequences of diabetes. “Some of the most unfortunate end-stage complications of diabetes [include] end-stage kidney disease, having no circulation in the limbs, patients getting amputations, and patients having trouble with healing,” he said.
Drs. Shah and Cantazaro both recommend that individuals who are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or belong to higher-risk ethnic groups consult their physician for testing. They also pointed out that gestational diabetes affects up to 9% of pregnancies annually across the country and should be managed through medical screening and treatment plans.
While type 2 diabetes presents numerous risks, both doctors emphasized that many complications can be avoided through lifestyle changes and regular medical care. “Having the discipline of making sure you are following a healthy diet, you are taking the medication as prescribed by your doctor, and you are exercising—you can control diabetes and even reverse some of the conditions,” said Dr. Shah.
“You can start making small changes over time, little by little,” added Dr. Cantazaro.
He recounted working with a patient who regularly consumed several sugary soft drinks each day; by gradually reducing intake rather than eliminating it immediately, he encouraged sustainable progress toward lower blood sugar levels.
Another case involved a younger patient who committed to walking regularly, controlling food portions, and adhering to her medication plan. After several months these efforts led to significantly improved blood-sugar readings and reduced risk for future complications.
Managing diabetes independently can be challenging but is not insurmountable according to Dr. Cantazaro: “It is not your identity. With support and small lifestyle changes you can live a long, healthy, and active life.”
