If you or someone you know has diabetes, it’s time to set the record straight. From old wives’ tales to obvious misinformation, the myths surrounding diabetes are everywhere!
But first, let’s lay the groundwork. As you probably know, diabetes can affect people in two forms, type 1 and type 2. The first type involves the pancreas failing to make insulin, while type 2 means your body makes less insulin than you need. Both types affect how your body makes use of glucose or blood sugar.
General symptoms include increased thirst, weight loss, frequent urination, fatigue, irritability, and slow healing, to name a few. According to the Office of Minority Health, Black Americans are roughly 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than white Americans.
Alright, now that that’s outta the way (and we realize the importance), let’s go right into 10 common myths about diabetes.
1. Too Much Sugar Causes Diabetes
This one’s straight from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). While they acknowledge that too many sweets can contribute to developing diabetes, the truth is a little more complicated.
Type 1 is largely due to genetics, and type 2 is often triggered by unhealthy lifestyles, high blood pressure, and obesity. Sugar plays a role, but it ain’t the end-all-be-all!
2. You’re Gonna Lose a Limb
Yes, amputations do happen, and a large percentage of non-accident related amputations are due to diabetes - that’s true. But losing a limb surely isn’t a guarantee.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), diabetics have a 25 percent lifetime likelihood of getting a foot ulcer, and roughly 20 percent end up with an amputation. It is important to note, though, that some studies show Black diabetics have a nearly three times greater risk of amputation than other races.
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3. You Can’t Eat Carbs
While too many carbs can jack your blood glucose levels, avoiding them entirely isn’t necessarily the answer. In moderation, they can be beneficial. Ask your doctor, as research indicates Black folks tend to eat more carbs and less total fat and fiber than white folks.
4. Obesity Is the Main Cause
Just like people say sugar directly causes diabetes, they also say being overweight causes it. Here’s the short and skinny: being obese is a risk factor, but many factors lead to diabetes.
Even so, it’s a good idea to slim down. The NIH finds that almost half of non-Hispanic Black adults are considered obese.
5. Insulin Causes Vision Loss
This one sounds scary, but fortunately, it’s far from true! While Black Americans have among the highest rates of vision loss and blindness, it’s not because of insulin.
Yes, changes in treatment may cause temporary blurriness, but it typically returns to normal within weeks. Diabetes itself, however, can cause blindness over time!
6. Insulin Is For Severe Diabetes
Nope! Diabetics take insulin for various reasons, whether for certain symptoms like weight loss and excessive urination, or because their blood sugar levels are averaging high. Your type of diabetes can also impact insulin requirements.
7. Diabetes Isn’t a Big Deal
While you shouldn’t be alarmed if you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you shouldn’t treat it like it’s nothing either. Regardless of your symptoms and type, diabetes can cause serious issues if not managed.
According to the Office of Minority Health, non-Hispanic Blacks are about two times as likely to die from the disease as non-Hispanic Whites.
8. Medication Can Be Stopped When Controlled
There are certainly many ways to manage your diabetes, outside of medication. However, if you are on meds, your safest route is to continue the meds and make appropriate lifestyle choices. Thinking you can stop your meds because your blood sugar is stable is often poor reasoning. Oftentimes, the reason your levels are stable is because of the meds!
9. I’m Symptom-Free, So I’m Fine
Not having symptoms can make your life a lot easier - absolutely. But be careful. Many times, you may not show obvious symptoms, even if your blood sugar is higher.
Remember, diabetes is a lifelong, progressive disease. That means there are no cures and it can worsen over time. Always follow your treatment plan, and speak with your doctor about concerns and changes.
10. I Can Skip a Meal to Manage My Blood Sugar
False. If your levels are already high, skipping a meal can do more damage than good. At the end of the day, what matters most is your overall calorie intake. Simply skipping out on carbs on a whim isn’t going to cut it.
As always, speak to your physician about your individualized treatment plan. What works for others may not work for you, but with a proper approach, you can get your diabetes under control and live the life you deserve!
