Various Diabetes Myths That Are Often Trusted

There are many myths circulating in society about diabetes. So that you don’t get stuck with information whose origins are unclear, get to know the various myths about diabetes in full in this article.

Some Myths About Diabetes

When diagnosed with diabetes, you may be confused about the lifestyle that should be adopted. Not to mention there are myths circulating in society around this disease.

The following are some diabetes myths that you should not believe, including:

1. Diabetics Cannot Consumption of Sweets

Many people think that sweet foods should not be consumed by diabetics, considering that sufferers have high blood sugar levels.

Consumption of sweet foods is feared to trigger a spike in blood sugar levels. In the end, the patient is considered unable to control the disease.

However, this assumption is only a mere diabetes myth. In fact, people with diabetes are still allowed to eat sweet foods, as long as they are within reasonable limits.

2. Diabetes Is Only Caused by Consuming Too Much Sweet Intake

The next diabetes myth relates to the appearance of the disease. There are some people who think that the cause of diabetes is excessive sugar consumption. In fact, this assumption is not correct.

Please note, type 1 diabetes occurs not because of a certain lifestyle. The cause is the cells in the pancreas that do not function properly to produce insulin.

In fact, this hormone is needed to process sugar in the blood into energy. If production is hampered, an increase in blood sugar can occur.

Eating too much sweet is also not the main cause of type 2 diabetes, but factors that can trigger it.

When you eat too much sweet, you can be at risk of obesity. The problem of being overweight can lead to diabetes.

3. Diabetes Only Affects Obese People

Obesity is one of the trigger factors for diabetes. However, that does not mean that diabetes only afflicts people with obesity. This disease can occur in even thin people.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Diabetes Statistics Report in 2020, 11 percent of the incidence of type 2 diabetes occurs in people with obesity and people without obesity.

On the other hand, people with obesity also do not necessarily have diabetes. Still referring to CDC data, of about 39.8 percent of adults who are obese, only about 13 percent have diabetes.

Also Read: Eating Fried Food Can Cause Diabetes, Here’s the Explanation

4. Complications Lead to Blindness and Amputations

High blood sugar can trigger damage to the nerves in the eye. If this continues, sufferers can lose their sight.

Nerve damage can also affect the feet and legs. This can cause numbness in the affected area. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may suggest that this part be amputated.

However, despite the possibility of complications from diabetes, sufferers do not always experience blindness or amputations. So, this assumption is just a diabetes myth.

5. Diabetics are prone to illness

It is not true that people with diabetes are more susceptible to colds or other illnesses. So, this assumption is just a myth.

However, diabetes treatment to control blood sugar levels is quite complex. If not careful, a disease or infection can get worse.

6. Diabetes medication may not be used when blood sugar is under control

In people with type 2 diabetes, blood sugar control can be done only by changing lifestyles for the better, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and losing weight for those who are obese.

Therefore, there are those who think that diabetes drugs may not be used when the blood sugar target is reached.

In fact, diabetes is a progressive disease. Over time, drugs are still needed to control blood sugar.

7. Diabetes is not a serious medical condition

This one diabetes myth should not be trusted. The reason is, if diabetes is left without treatment, there are various risks of complications that can occur.

Diabetes can lead to a variety of other health problems, such as:

• Heart disease.
• Nerve damage.
• Disorders of the oral cavity.
• Chronic kidney failure.
• Foot problems.
• Hearing loss.
• Blindness.
• Mental disorders.

8. Diabetics are not allowed to donate blood

High blood sugar levels do not necessarily mean that diabetics cannot donate blood. So, if someone considers this as a taboo, there is no need to believe it.

In fact, people with diabetes can still donate blood, as long as the sugar level in the blood is under control. If you are still in doubt, you can first consult with your doctor regarding safety.

Also Read: Things that should be considered by diabetics when they want to drive

9. Diabetics Cannot Drive

This diabetes myth is not quite right. This is because sufferers are still allowed to drive, unless sufferers have complications that can interfere with the driving activity itself, such as blurred vision or low blood sugar levels.

You can consult a doctor to find out the safety of driving according to the diabetes condition you suffer.

10. Women with Diabetes Cannot Get Pregnant

A woman who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes is at increased risk of having a large baby, which can make delivery more difficult. The doctor may also recommend a caesarean section. In addition, women with diabetes are also more likely to have a miscarriage.

This condition triggers the notion that women with this condition should not get pregnant. However, this assumption is only a myth of diabetes.

If blood sugar is well controlled, women with diabetes can still conceive and give birth to healthy babies.

Now,, there are some myths related to diabetes that you should not believe. If you find confusing information about diabetes, you can ask your doctor directly.

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