Myths and misconceptions about diabetes can make managing the condition even more challenging. Understanding the facts is essential for anyone affected by diabetes, whether newly diagnosed or having lived with it for years. By learning fact from fiction, you can best take control of your health and make informed decisions that support your well-being.
Myth: Diabetes isn’t a serious disease.
Fact: Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease. However, diabetes can be controlled with proper medication and lifestyle changes.
Myth: Diabetes is caused by eating too much sweet food.
Fact: Not necessarily. Diabetes is a chronic disease that is the result of many complex factors. Although eating sweet food may not cause diabetes, a diet high in sugar and fat can lead to obesity, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Myth: Diabetes can be cured.
Fact: Diabetes is a chronic disease with no cure. However, the condition can be managed to prevent complications from arising.
Myth: People with diabetes cannot eat sugar.
Fact: People with diabetes certainly need to manage their diets carefully. Monitoring carbohydrate intake is important. However, they can still incorporate treats.
Myth: Diabetes requires giving yourself lots of shots.
Fact: While injectable medication requires shots, there are many other treatments available. These include insulin pens, blood sugar meters, and oral medication. Your endocrinologist can help you find the right medication for you.
Myth: People with diabetes should not drive.
Fact: A diabetes diagnosis does not automatically mean that someone needs to stop driving. Most people with diabetes safely operate motor vehicles without creating any meaningful risk of injury to themselves or others.
Myth: You can catch diabetes.
Fact: Although we don’t know exactly why some people develop diabetes and others don’t, we know diabetes is not contagious. It can’t be caught like the flu or a cold.
Myth: People with diabetes need to eat special food.
Fact: You do not need special food. A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as healthy eating for anyone. A healthy eating plan for diabetes will include lots of non-starchy vegetables, limited added sugars, whole grains, and prioritization of whole foods over highly processed food when possible.
Myth: Only old people get diabetes.
Fact: Type 2 diabetes was once called “adult-onset diabetes.” Doctors diagnose people between the ages of 45-64 the most. However, over 5,300 children are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes every year, and 18,200 are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Myth: If you have Type 2 diabetes and your doctor says you need to start using insulin, it means that you are failing to take care of your diabetes properly.
Fact: Using insulin to get blood glucose levels to a healthy level is a good thing, not a bad one. Type 2 diabetes is a PROGRESSIVE disease. When first diagnosed, many people with Type 2 diabetes can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with a combination of meal planning, physical activity, and taking oral medication. But over time, the body gradually produces less and less of its own insulin, and eventually, oral medication may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels in a health range.
Understanding the realities of diabetes is crucial for effective management and a healthier life. Remember, managing diabetes isn’t just about taking medication; it’s about maintaining a balanced lifestyle and making informed daily choices.
At Southern New Hampshire Diabetes and Endocrinology, our dedicated care team is here to help you live a full, active life. We’ll work with you to develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. Whether you need support with diabetes, thyroid issues, osteoporosis, or any other endocrinology-related condition, our expert team is ready to assist you. With diabetes education and nutrition counseling, we empower you to take an active role in your health, preventing illness and managing your condition with confidence.