Diabetes is one of the most common and most misunderstood chronic diseases.
Fredric Kraemer, MD, professor of medicine at Stanford University, said, “Even patients who make an effort to be informed can misunderstand the disease. Because diabetes is so common, it’s important to educate about it.”
Here are some truths about common diabetes misconceptions.
Myth 1: Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the same
Truth: Both types are related to insulin, but the two diseases are very different in nature.
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body stops making insulin and is more common in children. 5% to 10% of people with diabetes have type 1 and need regular insulin injections to convert food into the energy their bodies need.
- People with type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but their cells do not take it up, and factors such as obesity and physical inactivity increase the risk of developing the disease. Type 2 diabetes can be managed with diet and exercise, but most patients need medication, including insulin.
Myth 2: If you have diabetes, the person will know it themselves
Truth: Symptoms associated with diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, and blurred vision. Patients may experience some symptoms, or no symptoms at all.
To make a diagnosis of diabetes, your doctor will check for fasting blood glucose levels above 126 mg/dL on two different occasions, and the test can indicate a problem, but the value is not high enough to cause the associated symptoms.
If you are over 45 years old, overweight, or have a family history of high blood pressure and diabetes, Frederick recommends that these people need to see a doctor to check if they have diabetes.
Myth 3: If you’re overweight or obese, you must have type 2 diabetes
The truth: About 69% of American adults are overweight, but less than 10% have diabetes. Losing weight can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health showed that people who exercised 150 minutes a week and lost an average of 13.6 pounds had a 58% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Myth 4: Consuming too much sugar can cause diabetes
Truth: While some studies have shown a link, the sugar in candy and soda is not the issue. Frederick says, “High-sugar diets don’t give people with normal weight and insulin levels diabetes.”
But eating too many sweets can lead to weight gain, which increases the risk of developing diabetes.
Myth 5: Using insulin means not controlling your diabetes well
Truth: Insulin is a life-saving drug, and using insulin does not mean a patient is doing a poor job of controlling the disease.
Frederick said, “The need for insulin injections does not mean treatment is failing, it just means the cells that make and secrete insulin are not working properly.”
While some people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugar levels with diet and exercise, over time the body reduces the amount of insulin it produces and needs to be supplemented with medications. If you have type 1 diabetes, you must use insulin to stay alive.
Consult your doctor
- What is the best treatment? The choice of treatment depends on whether the patient has type 1 or type 2 diabetes and the patient’s past medical history.
- What lifestyle changes are needed? Ask your doctor if a healthy diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and other lifestyle changes can improve your current health status.
- What complications should I know about? Diabetes affects more than just blood sugar; it can lead to other health problems such as heart disease, nerve damage, and vision.