Myths and Facts of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus, though so common a disease, especially among the current generation, is not really quite well understood by laymen. This disorder is surrounded by an amazing lot of myths, which complicates matters even more. What exactly is diabetes and, more importantly, what is it not? Let us discuss the most popular myths of this disease.



Myth # 1 - Consuming sugar causes diabetes



Fact - Many people tend to think that eating a lot of sugar is the root cause of the disease. The fact is that this disorder is caused by either a deficiency of insulin or the body's inability to absorb it. When we consume sugar, it is actually converted into energy by the body. It is when the body is unable to fulfill this conversion process that one suffers from diabetes. A good deal of exercise and balanced diet helps you keep up your energy levels all day through and also prevents diabetes, no matter whether you consume sweets or not!



Myth # 2 - You have to have a family history to get diabetes yourself



Fact - This is not true at all. In fact, you might be born with much higher chances of developing it someday. There are many, many other factors that are responsible for the disorder. So it is not at all necessary that you will escape the disease if you never had a family history of the same.



Myth # 3 - My diabetes seems quite harmless and not at all dangerous



Fact - Diabetes is never to be taken lightly. Irrespective of your blood sugar count, it is always better to be extremely careful with your medication.



Myth # 4 - Diabetes makes itself known immediately, by way of illness



Fact - This is the most common myth of the disease. Most people the world over do not even realize they are suffering from it, unless it really manifests into something big. There are other times referred to as the 'honeymoon phase', where the body seems to have become completely cured and out of diabetes. But this is not so - this phase is only temporary and comes right back.



Myth # 5 - I feel too tired to exercise due to my disease



Fact - The fact is that those with the disorder need to exercise regularly. This will raise the body's immunity, control the disease and keep it at desirable levels. You would do well to consult your physician before signing up for an exercise program.



Myth # 6 - Diabetes diet is terribly boring



Fact - The presence of diabetes does not require you to consume a special diet as such. Just see to it that you eat a healthy, balanced diet, which includes all food varieties. Reduce fat-rich foods and increase fiber-rich foods instead. Also avoid processed and canned foods.



Myth # 8 - There is no need to change medication if I am under control



Fact - Your treatment for the disease might have to undergo a change if your blood sugar levels suddenly rise or drop steeply. Diabetes Mellitus is a dicey disease. So even if you think you are in control, make sure to take regular checkups and consult your physician regarding medication.

Type 1 Diabetes Causes - Myths and Facts

What Causes Type 1 Diabetes



Even with the modern technology and information available today, the causes remain a mystery to the medical world. There is no one certain cause that can be linked to the onset of diabetes. However, there are certain factors that are present among the majority of the people who have been diagnosed with this type of diabetes.



Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's defense system attacks and destroys its own cells. In diabetes type I, the immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, which is a hormone that is used by the body to convert sugars and carbohydrates into the energy that is needed for your body to maintain its normal function. Once these cells are destroyed, the body does not produce enough insulin to convert the sugars and carbohydrates that are consumed. This can lead to other, life threatening illnesses and diseases.



It is believed that one Type 1 Diabetes cause is genetics. Some people may be genetically inclined to develop the disease and viruses such as Coxsackie, rubella, and mumps can trigger the onset of the disease. The cause of this type of diabetes is not the viral infection, however the infection may trigger the symptoms of the disease. In other words, in people who are predisposed to contract diabetes, the disease may lay dormant until triggered by one of the factors that are believed to cause the onset of the symptoms.



What Does Not Cause Type 1 Diabetes



When a disease that is as prevalent in society as this has no known cause, myths become a part of the mystery. Human intelligence demands that we know a definite cause for all diseases and events, and in the absence of something that we can definitively "put our hands on", it is human nature to find something in our lives that may cause the disease.



Here are some of the myths surrounding Type 1 Diabetes causes:



o Eating two much sugar causes diabetes - this myth is based on the fact that diabetes involves a high content of sugars in your blood. Consuming too much sugar can trigger the onset of some of the symptoms of diabetes, however, the cause of the disease is not the intake of too much sugar.



o Stress causes diabetes - while stress can trigger some of the symptoms of diabetes, stress does not cause the disease.



o Diabetes can be caught from another person - diabetes is not a contagious disease and cannot be transferred from one person to another.



While there are many myths surrounding theses causes, there are just as many that involve the management of the disease. It is often believed that people who have been diagnosed with diabetes can never consume foods that contain sugars or starches, however these foods can be consumed within a healthy diet plan. Diet and other factors do not cause diabetes, but are often the triggers that cause the onset of the disease and the symptoms that alert you to the possibility of being diagnosed with this diabetes type.



Since one of the prevalent Type 1 Diabetes causes is genetics, there are certain things that a person can do in order to delay or possibly even prevent the onset of the disease. If your family has a history of diabetes, the best way to accomplish this is to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise. Starting a healthy diet as early in life as possible not only reduces the risk of the onset of diabetes symptoms, but also can reduce the risk of obesity and the illnesses and complications that are associated with obesity. While eating a healthy diet and maintaining a regular exercise regimen may not guarantee that the disease will remain dormant forever, it will help you to better manage the disease once the symptoms begin - and give you a chance to maintain a normal lifestyle. Knowledge and preparation is often the key to success.

Debunking Top 20 Myths on Diabetes

It can be frightening when you get the diagnosis that you have one of the two types of diabetes. When your friends and family hear about it, they deluge you with an encyclopedia set's worth of information on diabetes. They mean well, but often you can be left more frightened than before. It can hardly separate the facts on diabetes from the myths. Take a deep breath and learn about these myths on diabetes.



How You Get Diabetes



1. You only get diabetes from your genes. Not true! Although diabetes can run in some families, you do not have to be related to anyone to get Type II diabetes. This is one of the biggest myths on diabetes.



2. Diabetic mother have diabetic children. Also not true. See above.



3. Diabetes is contagious. This is one of the most persistent myths on diabetes. Both types of diabetes are non-contagious.



4. There is such a thing as borderline diabetes. Sorry - there is no such thing as borderline diabetes.



5. Eating too much sugar causes diabetes. It is not the sugar itself, but the blood sugar level being thrown off. You can eat a bowl of sugar and not get diabetes - but you will get one heck of a tummy ache.



Myths On Diabetes Diets



1. You can never eat sugar again. Not true. Sugar does not cause diabetes. You can still eat sugar, but in moderate amounts.



2. You have to go on a special diabetic diet for the rest of your life. Also not true. But you are encouraged to eat a healthier diet with lots of variety.



3. Diabetics can not eat carbohydrates. Pasta, bread and starchy foods do contain sugar. But, as we have seen above, sugar does not cause diabetes. You can still eat carbohydrates as part of a healthy, balanced diet.



4. Diabetics can not go to parties because of the food. You can still go to parties. Just be careful what you eat, eat in moderation and either avoid alcohol or drink in moderation.



5. If you drink lots of water, you can control your diabetes. Also not true. You can not drink enough water to influence your blood sugar levels.



Myths On Diabetes Cures



1. Insulin cures diabetes. If only it were that easy! This is perhaps the biggest myths on diabetes around. Insulin helps you regulate your blood sugar, but does NOT cure either kind of diabetes.



2. There are insulin pills. Who knows who started this urban myth? There are no such things as insulin pills. At least not till now. But, let me tell you that there is serious research going on in this area.



3. If I do not have to take medication, my diabetes can be ignored. That is too dangerous. By keeping your condition in mind, you can save your life.



4. There are no natural cures for diabetes. Well, eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly are natural cures in that they do not require extra medication. And, high quality natural supplements do help in controlling / treating diabetes and other body ailments by restoring the required balance in the body.



5. Diabetics must soak their feet everyday. This used to be thought helpful, but now has proven to not do much of anything.



Myths On Diabetes Management



1. Diabetics can not play sports. Nonsense. Keep your common sense about you, monitor your blood sugar, take any medication, eat a healthy diet and you will be fine. But, yes. There are certain precautions to be taken while engaging in sports or other physical activities. Some of these precautions are: monitor diabetes level regularly, keep some eatables handy in case the sugar level goes low, educate your team manager or members as to how to deal with an emergency in case you hit an extreme hypo or a hyper in your diabetes level and you become completely disoriented.



2. Diabetics should not drive. Also nonsense. See above. If you take the necessary precautions then you are fine.



3. I can ignore my diabetes. Not unless you want to die.



4. I will always feel when my blood sugar level is off. Not always. It is a good idea to check regularly. Symptoms can come on before you realize it.



5. Insulin causes erectile dysfunction. Nerve damage from high blood sugar levels causes it - not the insulin.

Diabetes Myths

Like all complicated matters there are certain misunderstandings regarding Diabetes.



Today I want to dispel some myths regarding diabetes.



Here is a list of the questions that I will be discussing:



Can I get diabetes from someone else?



Eating too much sugar causes diabetes



Type 2 diabetes is mild diabetes



People with diabetes eventually go blind



It's not safe to drive if you have diabetes



People with diabetes can't play sport



People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses



People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate



People with diabetes shouldn't eat bananas or grapes



People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods



Now for some serious myth bashing...



Can I get diabetes from someone else?



Although we don't know exactly why some people get diabetes, we know that diabetes is not contagious - You cannot get it from others. There is a chance that a person whose parents or brothers and sisters have diabetes might get diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes. But lifestyle factors also play a part.



Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.



Eating sugar does not cause diabetes. Diabetes is caused by a combination of inherited and lifestyle factors. However, eating a diet high in fat and sugar can cause you to become overweight. Being overweight increases 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.



Type 2 diabetes is mild diabetes.



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.



People with diabetes eventually go blind.



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:



o Control your blood pressure and glucose levels



o Keep active



o Maintain your ideal body weight



o Give up smoking



It's not safe to drive if you have diabetes.



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



People with diabetes can't play sports.



Pakistan's famous all-rounder Wasim Akram has diabetes; many other people with diabetes take part in active sports. 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. There may be some considerations to take into account with your diabetes before taking up a new exercise regime - talk to your doctor for more information.



People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.



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 vaccinations. 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.



People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate.



Sweets and chocolate can be eaten by people with diabetes just like the rest of us, if eaten as part of a healthy diet. Remember that confectionery foods tend to be higher in fat and calories too so for this reason they should be limited especially if you're trying to lose weight.



People with diabetes shouldn't eat bananas or grapes.



All fruit and vegetables are extremely good for you. Eating more can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, some cancers and some gut problems. You should aim to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. This also helps to improve the overall balance of the diet. Eating a variety of different fruit and vegetables ensure you get the maximum benefit.



People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.



Diabetic versions of foods offer no special benefit. They still raise blood glucose levels, contain just as much fat and calories, are usually more expensive and can also have a laxative effect. The healthy diet for people with diabetes is the same as that recommended for everyone - low in fat, salt and sugar, with meals including starchy foods like bread and pasta and plenty of fruit and vegetables.