12 Common Diabetes Myths Debunked
There are many misleading myths surrounding
diabetes. Unfortunately for me, I took some of these myths at face
value and believed them to be true. Coming across this article really
helped me to separate fact from fiction about the disease which affects
millions around the world. Here are 12 diabetes-related myths debunked:
Myth 1: Diabetes Isn't a Serious Disease
Fact: Diabetes IS a serious, chronic disease. However, its effects can
be controlled if managed properly. Nevertheless, it still kills more
people annually than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three
people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.
Myth 2: Diabetes Is a Death Sentence
Fact: This isn't true. The better diabetics take care of themselves, the
longer they will live. The doctor’s recommendations with regard to diet
and exercise should be followed closely, ensuring that medication is
taken correctly.
Myth 3: You Can't Do Too Much Exercise if You Have Diabetes
Fact: While it’s true that diabetics who take insulin or other
medications that increase insulin production in the body have to balance
exercise, insulin levels, and diet, those who are taking oral
medications such as metformin and sitagliptin can exercise as much as
they like.
Myth 4: You'll Get Diabetes if You're Overweight or Obese
Fact: While weight is a risk factor for
diabetes, there are other factors at play too, such as family history.
Many overweight people never develop Type 2 diabetes. There are also
many Type 2 diabetics with a normal weight.
Myth 5: Insulin Will Do You Harm
Fact: Insulin is actually a lifesaver, but what makes it challenging is
that many people find it difficult to manage. Taking insulin safely
requires testing blood sugar levels many times a day to avoid harmful
low blood sugar reactions.
Myth 6: Diabetes Means You Don't Produce Enough Insulin
Fact: This is true for people with type 1 diabetes – their pancreas
stops producing insulin completely. Those who have the more common type
of diabetes, type 2, tend to have sufficient insulin when they’re first
diagnosed. The main problem type 2 diabetics have is that their insulin
doesn’t cause the cells in their bodies to absorb glucose from the food
they eat. Their pancreases may also stop producing enough insulin with
the passage of time, which means they’ll need injections.
Myth 7: Diabetes Means You Have to Inject Yourself
Fact: Injections are only applicable to diabetics who inject their
medications. These days, insulin pens that don’t require injections are
available. Furthermore, drawing blood to measure blood sugar is painless
thanks to the latest blood sugar meters. Many new diabetes medications
can also be taken orally.
Myth 8. Eating Too Much Sugar Causes Diabetes
Fact: The only shred of truth in this myth
is that recent research has indicated those who were already at risk of
developing diabetes increased their risk of developing it further by
drinking lots of sugared drinks. Sugar in itself, doesn’t cause
diabetes, however, it does contribute to obesity, which is a major cause
of the disease.
Myth 9: "I Know Exactly When My Blood Sugar Level Is High or Low"
Fact: This one is particularly dangerous because some diabetics tend to
rely on how they’re feeling as a gauge for whether their blood sugar
levels are low. While certain symptoms are indicative of low blood sugar
levels, they tend to become less accurate over time. The only sure-fire
way of knowing whether they’re low or not is to actually check.
Myth 10: Diabetics Can't Eat Sweets
Fact: Diabetics can eat whatever they want, as long as they pay
attention to portion sizes and how often they’re eating their favorite
treat. What they cannot do is eat too much of what they like. An example
of this is having a smaller piece of cake than usual for dessert, and
not having dessert as often.
Myth 11: Diabetes Makes You More prone to
Colds or Flu
Fact: While diabetics are no more vulnerable to contagious illnesses
than anyone else, getting flu shots is important, because diabetics are a
lot more likely to suffer serious complications from the flu than those
who do not have the disease.
Myth 12: Diabetics on Insulin Haven't Taken Care of Themselves
Fact: During the early stages of the disease, or just after diagnosis,
insulin levels can be controlled adequately through eating a healthy
diet, exercising and oral medications. As the disease progresses, your
pancreas may begin to produce less insulin or stop producing insulin
completely, which means that you’ll require insulin injections.