10 Common Myths and Facts about Diabetes

Diabetes myths and facts

Diabetes is a very well known disease. The name itself puts a person under stress. In my view, stress is the most common reason for converting simple hyperglycemia to diabetes. A lot of myths are associated with diabetes that is not true. Some people read false information from somewhere and some people develop a lot of wrong perceptions about this chronic disease. A lot of information about diabetes is available on the internet but it is hard to tell how much of this information is accurate. Circulation of wrong facts is bad and unwanted. Therefore, this article tends to make readers aware of the top 10 myths and facts about diabetes. 

1. People cannot consume sweets and sugary items

People tend to think that diabetic patients can’t consume sweets and sugar as having it will worsen their health conditions. Well, the reality is far from it as diabetic patients are required to maintain a right balanced diet. They can consume sweets and sugar but at moderate levels like a few times every month.

2. People lose their vision and legs

It is one of the wrong perceptions that diabetic patients will lose their vision and legs. Diabetes can indeed cause blindness and other complications. However, if a person follows the right diet, quits smoking, controls his/her cholesterol levels, and maintains the glucose level, it can prevent all the complications of  this diseases. 

3. You will know about diabetes early through your symptoms

People think that they will notice the symptoms of diabetes. The symptoms of diabetes type 2 are not easily noticeable and you may get to know about it at a later stage. This type of disease occurs in people aged more than 40 years and its symptoms include a feeling of hunger, fatigue ness, and feeling thirst. Such symptoms do not come at the early notice of people. As per recommendation by DrKamlesh Patel, everyone should get regular testing for sugar after the age of 30, at least once a year.

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4. Diabetic patients are not eligible for jobs

It is a common myth that diabetic patients are deferred from getting jobs. The proportion of not getting a job is narrowed to some specific occupations. Only having diabetes cannot dissuade you from having a job.

5. Does all Hyperglycemia means Diabetes

If you reveal to someone that he is having high blood sugar, he directly accepts that he is having diabetes but this is not the fact.

Hyperglycemia doesn’t mean diabetes because transient hyperglycemia is a very common condition that may arise due to day to day life stress, rush driving, sudden trauma, and use of some medicines like steroids. It is like a primary stage where you are at risk of getting diabetes and if you take appropriate action on time and improve your lifestyle then you can avoid diabetes. However, if you are not careful and miss taking enough precaution measures then diabetes is on your way. 

6. I am fit so I can’t get diabetes

The most common reason why patients don’t test their blood glucose is a belief, “how I can be a diabetic”. Many times we hear from people that I am fit, no disease can harm me. A lot of people believe that since they are fit, they never got diagnosed with any disease so getting diabetes now is highly unlikely. If someone in your family had diabetes then there are more chances that you will get them too even if you feel you are fit enough. Hence, being precautious becomes very important; you should get a test of your blood glucose in every six months to get a clear idea of your health. The more you are careful, the better it is for your health. 

7. Spreading undue threat about diabetes 

Spreading the threat about diabetes by some people or by some companies for monetary gain. The group of people always try to get monetary benefit by spreading such types of threats in the common public. Due to which healthy people do tests for diabetes and spend their money unnecessarily. You should read more information about it on the internet and ask others before taking a test. 

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8. Why should I care for diet and exercise if I don’t have diabetes

Without careful management of it, diabetes may lead to a buildup of sugar in the blood, which can increase the risk of dangerous complications, including stroke and heart disease. Lack of physical activities and an unhealthy diet are some of the factors that lead to diabetes. According to Dr. Kamlesh, the cells become unresponsive to the insulin produced in the body and you would likely to develop type-2 diabetes. It is important to boost your immunity system and take good care of your body. Even if you don’t have diabetes you should try to maintain a healthy diet and do regular physical activities to prevent diabetes in the future. 

9. No worries because I do not have any diabetic in my family

The genetic association is only found in around 30 % of diabetics. Then, what about 70 % of cases of diabetes? There are a lot of factors that contribute to diabetes. If you are obese, aged above 40 years, and follow a poor sedentary lifestyle then you are at greater risk of getting diabetes irrespective of your non-diabetic family history. Diabetic causes and their type vary upon the health of an individual, his/her environment, immunity system along with family history with Lifestyle playing a major role in its causation. Hence, even if you have no one in the family who is diagnosed with diabetes that doesn’t mean that you cannot have that too.

10. Diabetes affects only fat people

It is a common belief that only fat and obese people are prone to diabetes. Media, newspapers, the internet has always associated diabetes with being obese and overweight. This creates a wrong opinion in the minds of people as they think diabetes affects those with overweight. However, according to various studies over 30% of diabetic patients are of normal weight or underweight. 

Conclusion

These were some of the common myths about diabetes that people have and pass on this fake information to others. False information about diabetes is spread that can create anxiety among many people. Taking the wrong medicine is more harmful to your body and can create a lot of complications in the future. Therefore, before taking any action based on the rumors it is important to consult a specialist and experienced doctor. The best thing is to be aware of all the facts and myths of disease and pay proper attention to your health. 

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