Do You Believe These Diabetes Myths?

Diabetes is a disease that affects the way bodies turn food into energy. Normally, when food is eaten, it’s broken down into sugar and released into the bloodstream. From there, the pancreas makes insulin, which is used to create energy. If you have one of the three main types of diabetes, this process doesn’t happen. Type 1 diabetes is triggered by an autoimmune reaction and completely stops your body from making insulin. Type 2 diabetics can’t produce a sufficient amount of insulin, or are unable to use insulin efficiently to maintain and control blood sugar levels.    Gestational diabetes impacts pregnant mothers who can’t develop enough insulin during their pregnancy, but haven’t had diabetes before.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30 million people in the United States are currently living with diabetes and 84.1 million people have prediabetes in the United States. One in four of those people don’t realize they have it yet. While there are so many people affected by this disease, the CDC points out that there are just as many myths when it comes to the disease as truths. Let’s debunk a few of these myths. Do you believe any of these diabetes myths?

Myth: If no one in my family has diabetes, I don’t have to worry about having it.

Fact: While diabetes can be genetic, a lot of people diagnosed don’t have family members who also have it. Actually, lifestyle choices and even certain viruses might impact your risk for the disease.

Myth: I’ll know that I have diabetes because of my symptoms.

Fact:  Only a blood test can really determine if you have diabetes. If you have Type 1 diabetes, the symptoms are usually obvious because of the inability to produce insulin. This results in little to no insulin levels in the body, which can lead to increased thirst, urination, headaches and feeling weak. On the other hand, people with Type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes show fewer or sometimes no symptoms because they still produce some insulin.

Myth: Insulin is the cure for diabetes.

Fact: There isn’t a cure for diabetes, but insulin does help your body control it by keeping your blood sugar level from increasing.

Myth: You can take an insulin pill to control your diabetes.

Fact: Insulin is a protein, so it can’t be taken in pill form because your stomach wouldn’t digest it correctly. The only way to use insulin is through an injection or pump through the skin.

Myth: My doctor hasn’t prescribed diabetes medication, so my diabetes can’t be that serious.

Fact: While a lot of people diagnosed with diabetes do take medication, not everyone does. If your body produces some insulin, you can help insulin be more effective in your body through weight loss, healthy eating and regular exercise.

Myth: I won’t be able to eat any sugar if I get diabetes.

Fact: Too much sugar isn’t good for anyone, but to moderate blood sugar levels, all carbohydrates should be controlled. This includes starchy foods like bread and sugary foods like candy. If you plan well enough, you can replace some small amount of other carbohydrates with sugar in a meal.

*Consult your healthcare provider before making any dietary changes.

While there isn’t currently a cure for diabetes, you can make healthy lifestyle changes and stay educated on the disease to reduce its impact on your life.