Common Myths and Misconceptions about Diabetes

Article by Jared Wright

Diabetes is well known metabolism disorder where the body is unable to manage the sugar level in the body. There are two types of diabetes, known as type 1 and type 2 Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is called insulin dependent diabetes because the body cannot produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is called insulin resistant diabetes because the body cannot control the insulin level. There are many misconceptions about the disease which will be discussed in detail in this article.

The first myth is that people who are overweight will get diabetes sooner or later. There is some truth in it since obese people are predisposed to Type 2 Diabetes. To say that an overweight person will be diabetic is not accurate at all. There have to be other factors playing for diabetes to be acquired as there are many people who are overweight and with very healthy blood sugar levels.

Diabetes is not contagious. Simply having a family member with it or interacting with diabetics for a long time will not ‘transmit’ the condition to you. Diabetes can be inherited though, if a parent or a grandparent has it. The likelihood of this happening is not high all the time, especially if your parents are free of diabetes.

Having too much sugar in your diet causes diabetes. Perhaps this is one of the most widely known myths about the condition. Saying that someone with a sweet tooth will get diabetes is like saying someone with a backache will get arthritis; it’s just plainly inaccurate. Stuffing on cakes will make you gain weight but not give you diabetes. Diabetes is caused by genetics mostly, and some unhealthy lifestyle choices like regular consumption of saturated fats. Even people with diabetes can enjoy something sweet every now and then, though not with as much freedom.

It is not possible for diabetic patients to eat food high in carbohydrates. In fact, carbohydrates is essential for everyone because our body needs carbohydrates to function, being diabetic does not mean you cannot take carbohydrates. They simply need to adjust their servings, and include plenty of vegetables and fruits for fiber. In fact, some diabetic diets emphasize on the intake of carbohydrates.

If you are taking insulin shots, or some associated medications, it is a go-ahead for you to eat anything you want. This is totally a misconception as these insulin shots are only supposed to give your body more edge in keeping blood sugar levels at optimal ranges. If you decide to snack on junk food, and eat too many carbohydrates and sugars, you are adding insult to injury and the medications will not prevent your blood sugar levels from constantly rising.

Diabetes can be fully cured or you only have a slight diabetes condition. If your symptoms are not serious, it does not necessary mean that your diabetes is going into remission. Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, it won’t go away as it doesn’t have a cure. But diabetes is a manageable disease and as long as you keep your diet in check, exercise regularly and keep a happy lifestyle, then it will never be a problem for you.

The above are but some common misconceptions and myths about diabetes, the actual list is much longer. If you are unsure of your diabetic condition, be sure to consult a doctor and seek professional advice.