Myths about Diabetes ! There
are a lot of myths and misconceptions about diabetes. So how much do you
really know about diabetes? Read on to sort out fact from fiction.
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1.
You can catch diabetes from someone
else.
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A: No. Although we don’t
know exactly why some people get diabetes, we know that diabetes is not
contagious – it can’t be caught like a cold or flu. There seems to be
some genetic link in diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes. But
environmental factors also play a part.
2.
Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
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A: No. Diabetes is caused
by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. However, being
overweight does increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, so if
you have a history of diabetes in your family, a healthy diet and
regular exercise are recommended to control your weight.
3. People with diabetes eventually
go blind.
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A:
Although diabetes is the
leading cause of blindness in people of working age , research has
proved you can reduce your chances of developing diabetes complications
– such as damage to your eyes – if you:
 control
your blood pressure and glucose levels
keep
active
maintain
your ideal body weight
give
up smoking.
4.
People with diabetes should eat special
diabetic foods.
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A: The healthy diet for
people with diabetes is the same as that recommended for everyone – low
in fat, salt and sugar, with meals based on starchy foods like bread and
pasta and plenty of fruit and vegetables. Diabetic versions of
sugar-containing foods offer no special benefit. They still raise blood
glucose levels, are usually more expensive and can also have a laxative
effect.
5.
People with diabetes can't eat sweets or
chocolate.
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A: Sweets are no more out
of bounds to people with diabetes than they are to the rest of us, if
eaten as part of a healthy diet, or combined with exercise. And people
who take certain tablets or insulin to treat their diabetes may
sometimes need to eat high-sugar foods to prevent their blood glucose
levels falling too low.
6.
Diabetics are more likely to get
colds and other illnesses.
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A: No. You are no more
likely to get a cold or another illness if you’ve got diabetes. However,
people with diabetes are advised to get flu jabs. This is because any
infection interferes with your blood glucose control, putting you at
risk of high blood glucose levels and, for those with Type 1 diabetes,
an increased risk of ketoacidosis.
7.
Type 2 diabetes is mild diabetes.
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A: No. There is no such
thing as mild or borderline diabetes. All diabetes is equally serious,
and if not properly controlled can lead to serious complications.
8.
It's not safe to drive if you have diabetes.
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A: Providing you are
responsible and have good control of your diabetes, research shows that
people with diabetes are no less safe on the roads than anyone else.
Nevertheless, the myth that people with diabetes are not safe persists.
9.
People with diabetes can't play sport.
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A:
Tell that to Steve
Redgrave, Olympic gold medal-winning rower; Gary Mabbutt, ex-captain of
Tottenham Hotspurs; or the many other people with diabetes who take part
in the London marathon every year. People with diabetes are encouraged
to exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Keeping active can help
avoid complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease.
However, if you
treat your diabetes with insulin or certain tablets, you should be
careful to avoid having a hypo (low blood glucose level) when doing
strenuous exercise. You may need to reduce your insulin dose and should
carry a high-sugar snack with you in case your blood glucose levels fall
too low. It is a good idea to discuss strenuous exercise with your care
team before embarking on any new exercise plan.
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