Diabetes is a huge issue in the African-American community. Out of all adults 20 years or older, over 13 percent have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Not only is the risk almost double than that of whites, but it’s also more likely that life-threatening complications occur. So, proper education on diabetes is not just helpful, but essential.
Here are seven common myths about diabetes:
1. Myth: “It’s not even that serious.”
Truth: As the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S., diabetes is definitely serious. It can be controlled, but its severity shouldn’t be challenged.
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2. Myth: “You get diabetes from eating too much sugar.”
Truth: Although excessive sugar in your diet can cause you to gain weight, it’s not sugar alone that causes diabetes. Being overweight does increase the risk for type 2 diabetes, though. (Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors.)
3. Myth: “If you have diabetes, you can’t really exercise.”
Truth: It’s a myth that if you can’t exercise with diabetes because of low blood sugar caused by insulin. You may not even be on insulin — metformin and sitagliptin are both common oral medications that don’t lower your blood sugar. And, exercise can help you control your weight and symptoms.
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4. Myth: “Instead of candy and sweets, I can just eat a lot more fruit.”
Truth: Although you can eat some sugar, you still have to make sure that you don’t consume too much. Along with fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients, fruit is high in carbohydrates that turn into sugar. So, it’s important to check with your doctor to determine how much you should safely incorporate into your diet.
5. Myth: “You shouldn’t get pregnant if you have diabetes.”
Truth: You can have a healthy pregnancy and birth with diabetes. The key is to keep your blood sugar within the target range. The American Diabetes Association has suggestions for before, during, and after pregnancy.
6. Myth: “Insulin is bad for you.”
Truth: It’s true that insulin is difficult to manage for some people, but checking your blood sugar throughout the day helps you know how your body is responding to it. This lowers your risk of any complications.
7. Myth: “I can feel when my blood sugar level is off.”
Truth: How you feel isn’t a 100 percent indication of your blood sugar level. The symptoms you think you have may be coming from other common illnesses, and your perception isn’t always accurate. The only way to be sure is to test your blood sugar to see if it’s too high or too low.
