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Diabetes Myths and Facts |
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You
have probably heard a lot of things about diabetes, true and untrue.
The list below contains 10 commonly believed myths about diabetes,
along with some facts that will answer your
questions:
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MYTH 1: Diabetes is contagious.
Diabetes is
an endocrine disease and is basically caused by a problem with the
amounts of insulin produced by the beta cells in the pancreas.
Diabetes tends to be an inherited trait that runs in families?it is
not contagious.
MYTH 2: If children get diabetes, they'll
eventually outgrow it.
When children get
diabetes, it is usually Type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes. This
form of diabetes is caused by the destruction of the beta cells in
the pancreas that produce insulin. At this time, beta cells cannot
be regenerated, nor is it practical to have them transplanted. Until
a cure for diabetes is found, childhood diabetes will continue into
adulthood.
MYTH 3: Kids with diabetes can't
exercise.
Just the opposite is true. In fact, food intake (meal plans),
insulin, and physical activity or exercise is the basis for
treatment of Type 1 diabetes. Exercise lowers the amount of blood
sugar, which results in a person feeling better, it helps to avoid
being overweight, and lowers the chances of developing the long-term
complications associated with diabetes. However, it is important to
test blood sugar levels before and after exercise in order to avoid
hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
MYTH 4: People with
diabetes (kids, adolescents, and adults) should avoid
parties.
There is no reason to do this since everyone needs
to relax and socialize. In fact, parties are a great way to lower or
avoid stress which can affect blood sugar levels. People with
diabetes just need to be careful about the amounts of food or
alcohol that they use. It's important to discus the use of alcohol
with your doctor, diabetes educator or dietitian. Your dietitian can
also show you how to substitute various foods in your meal plan, and
what types of foods to avoid.
MYTH 5: Insulin cures
diabetes.
When used properly, insulin is a medicine that
helps to keep the levels of blood sugar in the near-normal range. In
Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes, insulin must be used because
the pancreas is not producing] the insulin the body needs. In Type 2
diabetes, diet (meal plan), exercise, and oral diabetes medications
are used, with insulin sometimes used for additional control.
Insulin itself does not cure diabetes.
MYTH 6: Pills for diabetes are oral insulin.
Pills for diabetes (oral hypoglycemic
agents or anti-diabetic oral hypoglycemic agents) work to affect the
ability of the body to use insulin better?they are not oral insulin.
There are several types of pills that work differently, so it is
important to work with your health care team to be sure that you get
maximum effect of this kind of treatment.
MYTH 7: People with diabetes can't eat carbohydrates.
Not
true?however, when a person is first diagnosed with diabetes it is
important to meet with a dietitian who is aware of the medical
treatment planned by your doctor. The dietitian can then help you
balance medication (if you take any) with physical activity,
life-style, and the amount and types of food that you eat. This will
help you keep blood sugar levels at near-normal levels, feel
healthy, and prevent long-term complications.
MYTH 8: Diabetes in women prevents them from having
children.
In
the past, few technologies existed that would help people keep blood
sugars in the normal range. We now know that if a woman with
diabetes becomes pregnant, she can deliver a healthy baby by
maintaining normal blood sugar levels both before conception and
throughout the pregnancy.
MYTH 9: If my insulin
dose is increased, my diabetes must be getting worse.
The most
important goal for people with diabetes is keeping near-normal blood
sugar levels in order to feel well and avoid long-term diabetes
complications. To do this, each person needs different amounts and
types of food, physical activity, and medicines like insulin.
MYTH 10: Insulin must be injected directly into the
vein.
When
patients first learn that one area used for insulin injection is the
arm, they may envision inserting the needle directly into a vein in
the antecubital area as in blood withdrawal. The patients must be
reassured that insulin is injected into the fat tissue on the back
of the arm (or on the abdomen, thigh or hip) and that the needle is
much shorter than that used for vein puncture.
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