Myths And Facts

Diabetes is a widespread and poorly understood condition.

Diabetes majorly affects the quality of life of the patient and now with India topping the world with the highest number of people with Diabetes Mellitus, it is extremely important to disregard the Myths and get a better understanding of the Facts about Diabetes.

Common Myths

Myth: A lot of my family members have diabetes, I will inevitably get it!
Fact: Though diabetes has a strong genetic co-relation there are other factors which contribute to it.

In today’s lifestyle, with much more availability of processed food and a lot less activity due to increase in the number of desk jobs, genetic history alone cannot be blamed and a change in lifestyle and reduce your chances of getting affected.

Myth: Diabetes is contagious.
Fact: False!

Diabetes is not contagious and cannot be passed on from one person to the other.

Myth: I do not need to worry as I only have borderline diabetes.
Fact: You need to make lifestyle changes as you are highly likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Borderline diabetes or Prediabetes means that your sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be categorized as diabetes. This means you are at a risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The chances of developing diabetes can be reduced by lifestyle changes such as losing weight if your over-weight, incorporating moderate exercises like walking in your daily routine and dietary changes which will help you to control your sugar levels

Food Myths

Myth: Eating too many sweets is the cause of diabetes.
Fact: Actually it doesn’t!

Eating too many sweets can cause weight gain, which can increase the risk for developing the disease but in itself doesn’t cause diabetes. Diabetes is caused by a genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors, or by an autoimmune reaction of the body. If you have the gene for diabetes, eating excess amounts of sweets may accelerate the onset of diabetes by burdening the cells producing insulin.

Myth: Diabetics can never eat sweets.
Fact: Sweets can be eaten in moderation.

Sweets only contribute to calorie intake and not too much nutritional value. Patients with diabetes can eat sweets in moderation as a part of a balanced diet.

Myth: Diabetics should completely give up potato & rice.
Fact: Diabetics can eat these foods in moderation by following an effective meal plan.

A good meal plan for a diabetic patient can be filling half the plate with vegetables low in carbohydrates (asparagus, broccoli, sprouts), filling one-third of the plate with carbohydrate rich foods (potatoes, rice, beans) and the remaining one-third with proteins (chicken, fish). Meals planned like this will naturally have moderate carbohydrate intake.

Medical Myths

Myth: Starting insulin is the beginning of the end!
Fact: Actually, if it’s time for you to take insulin, it’sonly because that’s the best way to manage your blood sugar.

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease and insulin is a logical step for treating when oral medicines no longer helpful.

Myth: Insulin causes complications.
Fact: Starting insulin earlier infact can even prevent thecomplications related to diabetes.

Myth: Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, kidney disease or losing a limb.
Fact: “Poorly controlled diabetes” is the leading cause of blindness, kidney disease or losing a limb.

Patients who manage their diabetes well by means of dietary changes, exercise regimens, following prescribed medicine routine can continue to lead a healthy life without complications.

Pysch Myths

Myth: There’s nothing good about having diabetes.
Fact: Actually, many people find diabetes to be a wake-up call to lead a healthier lifestyle.

People diagnosed with diabetes start living a healthier life by getting rid of the junk food, watching their portions, shedding some kilos, drinking in moderation, getting committed to regular evening walks.

Myth: I can’t ever take a break from dealing with my diabetes.
Fact: Actually, not only can you take a break, it’s highly recommended to take a break every once in a while with due precautions.

You can take safe breaks by learning how to adjust your medication when there’s a change of routine or exercise. You can have a cheat day once a week where you don’t have to stick to your diabetes-friendly meal plan.

Practice Myths

Myth:Once I begin using a bottle of insulin, it has to be refrigerated.
Fact: Actually, once you begin using a bottle of insulin, it can be kept at room temperature for up to twenty-eight days.

Though unused insulin bottles must be stored in the fridge, once opened a bottle can safely stay effective in the temperature range of 15ºC and 30ºC for up to 28 days owing to the preservatives present in the insulin preparation. During summers, be well aware of your room temperature and refrigerate the open insulin bottle if the temperature crosses 30ºC.

Myth: Insulin injections are painful.
Fact: Newer insulin pen needles are very small and thin causing negligible pain.

Common Questions

When adjusting with diabetes will make you think on many questions:

Questions	Answer
Does living with diabetes mean I can’t take sugar?	All foods can be included in meal plan
Do I need to go for gyming ?	Do simple exercises
Is there any need to give shots everyday?	No not at all
What to do If I feel low?	Take care of your emotions