Busting Top 5 Myths on Diabetes

Diabetes is a very common disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. It is not an easy one to manage and has its own complications. If you have diabetes or anyone around you has it, you might have questions about it.

There are a number of myths ad misconceptions about this disease and its management. But a lot of them are false or just made up. In order to know what is true and what is not, you need to keep reading the article. 

Besides it being on the rise worldwide, it is best to know what is true and what is not. 

The best endocrinologist in Pakistan even says that people don’t have any proper idea about diabetes and its symptoms. 

Myth 1: No one in my family has Diabetes, so I won’t have it. 

It’s true that having a parent or sibling with diabetes increases your risk of getting diabetes. In fact, family history is a risk factor for both Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. 

However, there are also a lot of people with diabetes that have no close family members suffering from diabetes, yet they get it from nowhere. 

There are certain factors that can increase your chances of getting diabetes. These include:

  • Being obese or overweight
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • Having prediabetes
  • Being older than 45 years of age
  • Gestational Diabetes

You can reduce the risk of diabetes by staying healthy and keeping a healthy weight. Exercising at least 3 times a week, and eating a healthy diet can make a huge difference to your overall health. 

Myth 2: People that eat sugar, get diabetes

Eating sugar can never be linked with diabetes. It can never be a cause. But it is always best to cut down on sweet and sugary beverages for the sake of your health. 

It is not a surprise that people get confused about whether sugar causes diabetes or not. This confusion might come from the fact that when you eat food, it is converted into a sugar called glucose. 

Glucose is also commonly known as blood sugar levels. It is a source of energy for the body. Insulation moves glucose from the blood into the cells so it can be used as energy. With diabetes, the body doesn’t produce as much insulin, or the body does not use insulin well. 

As a result of this, extra sugar stays in the blood, and the blood glucose level increases. With people that do not suffer from diabetes, the consumption of sugar and sweets can increase their weight and can make them overweight. 

Myth 3: You cannot exercise with diabetes

Getting regular exercise is a part of your diabetes management. Exercise helps a lot in boosting your body’s sensitivity to insulin. It can also help in lowering your A1C, which is a test that helps in telling how well your diabetes is controlled. 

A great attainable goal is to aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous exercise like brisk walking. You can also add 2  sessions of strength training as part of your exercise routine. 

If you haven’t exercised in a while, walking at a brisk pace is a great way to slowly build your fitness. It is best that you discuss this with your doctor before starting the exercise program. So, keeping a check on your diabetes, it is best that you keep a  close check on your exercise as well.  

Myth 4: Borderline Diabetes is not dangerous at all

Prediabetes is the term that is used for those whose blood sugar levels are not in the diabetes range but are too high to be called normal. 

Prediabetes means that you are at a high risk of developing diabetes within 10 years. You may be able to lower your blood sugar to normal levels by lowering your body weight and exercising for 150 minutes a week.  

It is recommended again to talk to your provider and discuss the pros and cons that might impact your body’s function with diabetes. 

Myth 5: You need to eat a very special diet if you have diabetes

People that have diabetes eat the same food just like people that dont suffer from diabetes. New studies suggest that there is no need to eat specific amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. 

But it is also suggested that people suffering from diabetes should get their carbohydrates from fruits, whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. Avoid foods that are high in sodium, sugar, and fat. 

Only overweight or obese people can develop diabetes. Fact: While being overweight or obese is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, it is not the only one. Thin people can also develop diabetes, and genetics can also play a role in the development of the disease.

Conclusion

Diabetes is one such disease that is mostly neglected and not taken care of. A lot of people misunderstand it and believe in the false information spread about it that is not true. It is important that you know the facts and work on making your life better and healthy with diabetes.