Diabetes affects over 65 million people across India. Despite this, the understanding of diabetes is poor, with many people believing in myths rather than facts. Many fail to understand that a simple diet and good exercise plan can prevent diabetes from occurring or worsening.
It is this belief that makes managing diabetes a lot more difficult for both doctors and patients.
So what are some of the common diabetes myths? Here are some...
1. Eating a lot of sugar causes diabetes
This is not true. Eating sugary foods does not cause diabetes, but it can worsen diabetes. Diabetes is usually caused due to genetic problems or a family history of diabetes. Being overweight can increase the risk. However, it is still important that you keep a check on your sugary food intake, as these can cause weight gain.
2. Diabetes is not a serious problem
You may not believe it, but a large proportion of the population suffering from diabetes tend to ignore it as they feel diabetes is not a serious problem. After all, they may not have any symptoms, so it must not be serious, right?
Wrong! Diabetes can silently affect the kidneys, eyes, heart and nerves and can cause debilitating disease if left untreated or ignored.
3. Insulin is a bad thing
It is a common belief that if you need insulin for diabetes, then it is a bad thing; a sort of taboo, so to speak. The fact is insulin helps achieve excellent control of your blood sugar levels, and it is easy to self manage blood sugar levels through altering your dose of insulin. After all, all you
are taking is a hormone that is produced in lesser quantities in your body.
4. Thin people do not get diabetes
Another common myth. While most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight, there are many people who are thin and who have diabetes. This is related to the presence of ‘invisible fat’ that is inside the abdomen.
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