7 Common Diabetes Myths Debunked

Diabetes is a common health condition!

Every now and then, we see people around us getting affected by the condition. Diabetes is simply an increased blood sugar level that is harmful to you. Despite many causes of diabetes, we know that this condition runs in your family. Some people have an increased risk of suffering from diabetes than others.

Diabetes - What the Trouble is About?

Previously thought as elderly people’s disease condition is even impacting teenagers and even newborns. However, it is quite possible to manage the condition with the right lifestyle choices. People who have a higher risk of developing diabetes should be more considerate about this. For this, blood testing is a common thing.

I remember one of my classmates in college went for at-home testing which revealed a higher sugar level than expected. Then she consulted her doctor who asked her to go for the HbA1c test. We enquired about the HbA1c test price and decided to get one. The test results revealed that she was diabetic.

This was a life-changing experience for her. A diabetic diagnosis at such an early age was something huge to deal with. While she began her journey with diabetes I realized that there are many common myths about diabetes that we believe. So, I decided to write about debunking these myths about diabetes. If you are also looking for your answers on diabetes, then this article is the perfect read for you!

Common Myths About Diabetes

Here are some of the common myths about diabetes that you may need t to know about;

1- You can’t eat sugar because you have diabetes

Just because diabetes is characterized as a high blood sugar level, this doesn’t mean that you can’t eat sugar with the condition. Diabetes is just the inability of your body to process dietary sugar well but you can enhance this through medication. So, even if you are diabetic you can intake sugar in smaller quantities while sticking to your treatment plan.

2- Diabetes is contagious

Diabetes is not your ordinary flu or cough that can pass through touch, air or water.

The condition is in your genes and the only way it can transmit from one to another individual is through genetics. Yes, the genes for diabetes run in your families so there are chances that you will develop it if your parents or grandparents were diabetic.

3- Diabetes results in blindness

Though this is true that people who are diabetic have an increased chance of suffering from blindness or other eye-related complications. But be mindful that this only happens when your blood sugar levels are out of control to a greater extent. However, you can still minimize your chances of diabetes complications by keeping your blood sugar levels in your body.

4- Diabetes only affects obese people

This is not true. Though overweight or obese people have an increased chance of getting diabetes this is not the alone cause. Yes, you can have diabetes even if you possess a healthy body weight. This is possible because not all types of diabetes are because of your body weight. You can even develop diabetes due to some auto-immune reaction in your body.

5- Diabetic people only eat special foods

Well, diabetic people should be more considerate about their food choices but this doesn't mean that they only eat diabetic food. They can eat all like any ordinary person but keep their sugar levels in check. Some of the advice of good food for diabetics people are:

Go carb smart and choose the complex carbs that are difficult to process and don't increase your blood sugar level instantly
Add enough protein to your diet
Consume more fibre to your diet
Keep a check on your blood sugar level even if you are getting sugar from natural fruits.

6- Diabetes parents give birth to a diabetic child

Well, this is not true!

Many people believe that if a mother is diabetic her child will be diabetic too. But be mindful that I am not talking about gestational diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Even when a mother is diabetic her child can be normal. Females who are diabetic should need to be extra careful during their pregnancy to minimize their chances of complications, said the renowned gynecologist in Lahore while my cousin visited her for her pregnancy planning being a pre-diabetic.

7- You will always feel sick with diabetes

No, this is not true.

Diabetes will affect your health in many ways but you aren't always sick with diabetes. It all depends upon your lifestyle choices that determine your journey with diabetes.

Bottom Line!

Diabetes is a life-long condition that comes with no permanent cure. All you can do is manage the condition with the right dietary choices, practice workouts, sticking to your treatment plan alongside keeping a number on your eyes.