Diabetes is one of the most common disorders globally. While there is no cure to diabetes, you can keep it under check by following certain health tips and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Diabetes can cause several health complications and can worsen with time. Hence it is important to take preventive measures to avoid diabetes from worsening.
Here we debunk some of the common myths about diabetes:
- Diabetes is caused by having too much sugar
This is one of the most common myths about diabetes. In fact diabetes is caused when something disrupts your body’s ability to convert food you eat into energy. Type 1 diabetes is usually caused by genetics and some unknown factors, while type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics or lifestyle factors. Having too much sugar may contribute to diabetes, but it is often not the primary factor. However, sugar doesn’t serve much nutritional purpose, so it is good to have less of it.
- You can’t live an active lifestyle once you are diagnosed with diabetes
This is another myth about diabetes you need to avoid falling prey to. It has been proved that regular physical exercise and being active can have a positive impact on lowering your blood glucose levels. In fact, there have been many sportsmen who have had diabetes during their active career. This said, you should always consult your physician before engaging in strenuous physical activities.
- You need a special diabetes diet
Wrong. Yes, you need to be eating a bit healthier and keep your diabetes in check. But it is true even if you don’t have diabetes. Isn’t it? Good amount of whole grains, along with some fruits and vegetables and limiting your intake of fat and refined sugar can be helpful. Your dietician can understand your health condition & severity of diabetes.
- Diabetes is not a serious disease
It is often called as the silent killer as it may lead to several health problems if not kept under check. It may cause complications in heart, eyesight, kidney etc. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, usually a person needs to take insulin at later point in life.
- You can indulge in sweet and fattening stuff by just increasing the dose of your medicine
This is a strict no. While it might help temporarily, in long run it may not be sustainable. It is better to control your diet, rather than try to balance blood sugar levels with help of medicines.
One may not always have complete control over falling prey to diabetes. But one can always take some precautions to prevent diabetes and people with diabetes need to take precautions to prevent it from deteriorating and affecting other aspects of their health.
#Thinkhealth blog 