Learn the facts about diabetes.
When it comes to diabetes, there are a lot of misconceptions. From vision loss to amputated limbs and even heart attacks and strokes, many health problems can occur if you follow inaccurate information about caring for your diabetes. It’s best to take diabetes advice and information from reliable sources, such as your doctors, certified diabetes educators and registered dietitians. Here are 10 common myths about diabetes — and the facts behind each one.
Myth: I don’t need to take medication for my diabetes.
Fact: It’s better to face the reality of a diabetes diagnosis right away. “You hear this myth a lot, especially in underserved populations,” says David Weingard, CEO of Fit4D in New York City, which teaches people how to live better with chronic conditions such as diabetes. Some people with diabetes take advice from well-meaning friends or family more seriously than their doctor, leading them to try unproven natural supplements or not take their medicine at all. “The truth is, the sooner you take your medications, the higher probability that you’ll avoid complications,” Weingard says.
Myth: If I have to take insulin, I’ve failed to control my Type 2 diabetes.
Fact: Plenty of people with Type 2 diabetes require insulin, but it’s not always clear why. “Sometimes it’s just a better therapy,” Weingard says. Unfortunately, Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, so some people may end up using insulin no matter what they’ve done to control their blood sugar. There is a related misconception that once you start insulin for Type 2 diabetes, you’ll always have to take it. The reality is that some people may no longer need it if they make changes like improving their diet and exercising. “It’s a very dynamic disease,” says Dr. Kashif Munir, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
Myth: Taking insulin is difficult.
Fact: With the right practice, it’s not. “Learning to inject and adjust insulin can seem challenging, but it can be taught to those ages 10 to 100,” says Dr. Joseph J. Schwartz, an endocrinologist in Englewood, New Jersey. He recalls a patient who was very resistant to learning how to take insulin. But when Schwartz and his staff taught her how to do an injection, she wondered why she didn’t start it sooner.
Myth: If I have diabetes, I’ll likely need to have my leg amputated.
Fact: Occasionally, a person with diabetes requires amputation of an arm or leg because of ulcers or circulation problems that develop. Weingard sees this myth as a chance to reinforce the importance of taking medications as prescribed. “People who don’t use their meds are in denial or have a fear of injectable medications,” he says. If you don’t take your medications as directed and make healthier lifestyle choices, it could lead to serious health consequences. However, you’re much less likely to reach that point if you keep your blood sugar under control.
Myth: I need to eat small, frequent meals because I have diabetes.
Fact: “The right diet is very individualized,” Munir says. For example, some of his patients have a normal blood sugar when they go to bed and a high blood sugar when they wake up — despite not eating all night. Others have an immediate blood sugar spike as soon as they eat. In the last example, eating several small meals a day would not be a good idea. Work with your doctor, certified diabetes educator or a registered dietitian to find the best approach to meal timing for your diabetes.
Myth: I can’t eat any sweets if I have diabetes.
Fact: “Before, the approach to eating with diabetes was very list-based, and people got sick of it,” Munir says. This has led to a more tailored approach to eating for each patient, with more of an emphasis on moderation and portion control. For instance, you may eat right all week and have one day a week where you indulge in a traditional dessert. “Turning anything into a ‘forbidden fruit,’ especially when it is readily available, is always a recipe for potential problems,” Schwartz says. “Ideally, no foods that the family regularly eats should be banned. ”
Myth: If a food is sugar-free, it won’t raise my glucose levels.
Fact: Carbohydrates actually play a large role in blood glucose levels. So if you eat a sugar-free diet but consume a lot of carbs, you could still have issues. (Foods that are high in carbohydrates include fruit juice, bagels, bananas and processed cereals that are low in fiber.) Schwartz recalls one patient who ran into problems: “His glucose levels were out of control until he was repeatedly made aware that carbohydrates of all types, except maybe fiber, can raise glucose levels.”
Myth: My child has Type 1 diabetes, so he/she shouldn’t play sports.
Fact: “There’s a huge myth that [children with Type 1 diabetes] need to live a limited life,” Weingard says. However, there are many examples of athletes who have lived with diabetes, including PGA golfer Scott Verplank and tennis legend Billie Jean King. The key is working with your doctor to help your child balance food choices and physical activity. Even if you’re an adult living with diabetes, physical activity is important. Weingard should know. He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 36 and continues to compete in triathlons.
Myth: I’m going to have an operation, so I should stop taking my insulin.
Fact: Talk to the doctor who treats your diabetes first. Hospital stays can be tricky because you may not be able to eat before surgery, and you’ll likely eat different foods, take new medications and have an altered level of activity, Munir says. All of these things can affect your diabetes — and not taking insulin can become a problem. Your doctor can help you plan if you need to cut back on your insulin before surgery. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your doctor should also know if you have any planned procedures or hospital stays.
Myth: If I follow my treatment plan, I will never have high (or low) blood glucose levels.
Fact: “This is another myth that unfortunately is not true,” Schwartz says. He says one of his patients has high glucose levels every time he has a bad dream, and another patient’s glucose spikes when she gets frustrated with her adult daughter. “One can try their best and still have elevated glucose levels,” he says. “We can only try our best by becoming more self-aware, trying to improve our lifestyles, checking our glucose levels and taking our medications.”
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10 Myths About Diabetes originally appeared on usnews.com
