Diabetes Myths

 

Globally, diabetes is becoming increasingly prevalent, as are the myths and misconceptions that surround it:

1. Eating sugar causes diabetes

Eating sugar does not directly cause diabetes. However, consuming a sugary diet can lead to overweight and obesity, which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

This is a common myth, perhaps understandably — blood sugar levels play an essential role in diabetes. Sugar itself, though, is not a causal factor.

2. Diabetes is not serious

Perhaps because diabetes is so common, some people believe that it is not a serious disease. This is incorrect. There is no cure for diabetes, and there are a host of complications that can occur if a person does not manage the condition well. 

Complications include cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, blindness, skin conditions and hearing impairment. 

In 2018, diabetes was the underlying cause of 84,946 deaths in the U.S. The World Health Organization estimate that diabetes caused the death of 1.6 million people in 2016.

3. Diabetes only affects people with obesity

Overweight and obesity are risk factors for type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, but the condition can occur in people of any weight. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Diabetes Statistic Report 2020, 11% of people with type 2 diabetes in the U.S. are neither overweight nor obese. 

Type 1 diabetes has no associations with body weight. 

4. Obesity always leads to diabetes

Although obesity increases the risk of diabetes, it does not inevitably lead to the disease. According to the CDC, an estimated 39.8% of adults in the U.S. have obesity, but 13% have diabetes. 

5. People with diabetes cannot eat sugar

People with diabetes certainly do need to manage their diets carefully: monitoring carbohydrate intake is important. However, they can still incorporate treats. 

The American Diabetes Association explain: 

“The key to sweets is to have a very small portion and save them for special occasions.” 

Individuals with diabetes need to carefully plan what and when they will eat to ensure that their blood sugar levels remain balanced. 

A related myth is that people with diabetes need to eat special “diabetes-friendly” foods. However, these products are often more expensive, and some can still raise glucose levels.

6. Diabetes always leads to blindness and amputation

While it is true that diabetes can lead to blindness and amputations in some cases, it is not inevitable. And for individuals who manage their condition carefully, these outcomes are rare. 

The CDC estimate that 11.7% of adults with diabetes have some level of vision impairment. Lower-extremity amputation occurs in around 0.56% of people with diabetes in the U.S. 

Experts have identified several risk factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing diabetes-related complications. These include obesity and overweight, smoking, physical inactivity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. 

7. People with diabetes should not drive

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation: 

“People with diabetes are able to drive unless they are limited by certain complications of diabetes. These include severely low blood glucose levels or vision problems.” 

8. Prediabetes always leads to diabetes

Lifestyle changes can turn the tide. Regular physical activity and a more healthful diet can stop diabetes in its tracks. 

9. People with diabetes cannot be active

Once again, this is untrue. In fact, exercise is an important component in the management of diabetes. Among other things, exercise helps drive weight loss and reduces blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for complications. It can also help the body use insulin better. 

However, exercise can impact blood sugar levels in various ways, sometimes increasing it and, at other times, decreasing it. 

10. You can ‘catch’ diabetes

This is a myth. Pathogens do not cause diabetes, so a person cannot pass it to someone else. Doctors classify it as a noncommunicable disease