When you think of diabetes, certain images or assumptions might come to mind. Bias is part of the human condition, but misconceptions can give you a false sense of security. And if you or a loved one gets diagnosed with diabetes, having an inaccurate set of beliefs can make the experience more distressing.
“There’s no universal picture of what diabetes looks likes,” says Angelica Gronke, RD, CDCES, a registered dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. “Knowing the facts about diabetes can help you identify and address your risk factors and make living with diabetes feel more manageable.”
In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, Gronke is setting the record straight on common misconceptions surrounding diabetes.
Busting Diabetes Myths
1. Only people who are overweight or obese get diabetes.
While being overweight can increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, many people who are overweight or obese may never develop diabetes. Conversely, people who are normal weight can and do develop diabetes. Much of your risk for developing type 2 diabetes is tied to genetics and age. Maintaining a healthier body weight and increasing activity level may decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and can impact people of any age and actually is more common in people with normal weight. Type 1 diabetes is also strongly related to genetics.
2. Once you start insulin, you’ll be on it for the rest of your life.
Most often, people take insulin for type 2 diabetes for one of two reasons: their blood sugars are extremely high at diagnosis or other medications have been inadequate in controlling blood sugars. For type 2 diabetes, it depends on how much insulin resistance you have and how much insulin your pancreas still makes. Some people with type 2 diabetes can discontinue insulin use after they adopt significant lifestyle changes. These include altering their diet, exercising and losing weight.
People with type 1 diabetes cannot stop insulin, as their pancreas no longer makes it and they need it for survival.
3. People with diabetes should not eat desserts.
People with diabetes can enjoy dessert as part of a balanced carbohydrate eating pattern. Planning ahead is important.
Follow these steps:
- If you take insulin for diabetes, you can adjust your dosage for occasions like birthday parties with cake or a trip to the ice cream shop.
- If you have type 2 diabetes and don’t take insulin, you can swap out other starchy foods like potatoes or a bun for a dessert when needed. You can also plan to take a walk after that meal or treat to help your body use the extra carbohydrates better and prevent a spike in blood glucose.
- Anyone with diabetes can pair sweet or higher-sugar foods with protein or fiber to slow down the digestion of sugar to lessen the blood glucose spike.
4. Anyone who is prescribed insulin has type 1 diabetes.
People may take insulin for type 2 diabetes as well as type 1.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. People with type 1 diabetes typically must take insulin for the rest of their lives.
Type 2 diabetes involves a gradual decrease in insulin production over time due to insulin resistance. Treatments and remedies can include diet and exercise modifications, oral or injectable medications, and insulin injections.
5. You get diabetes from eating too much sugar.
Eating too much sugar in and of itself does not cause diabetes. However, consuming excess sugar can lead to weight gain, which can up your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle and genetic factors also increase the risk.
Risk factors for type 1 diabetes are mostly genetic and environmental. For type 2 diabetes, risk factors include family history, lack of physical activity and obesity. With obesity, fat cells decrease how insulin works — this is called insulin resistance. This resistance causes the body to make more insulin than normal and wears out insulin-making cells out faster.
6. My doctor says I have borderline diabetes, so I have nothing to worry about.
Hearing this message should be a call to action. People with prediabetes or a fasting glucose level of 100 to 125 or A1C of 5.7% to 6% are likely to develop diabetes within five to seven years if they do not make lifestyle changes.
Studies show that people who exercise 150 minutes a week and lose 5% to 7% of their body weight can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes within the next three to five years. Learning how to balance carbohydrates, increase fiber and lower fat intake has shown to be more effective than taking a diabetes medication called metformin.
If you haven’t been diagnosed, watch for these diabetes symptoms and talk to your doctor if you notice them:
- Excessive thirst, urination or hunger
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores
- Frequent infections
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
- Areas of darkened skin, most often in the armpits and neck
Here for You: Connect to Diabetes Support
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for a long time, the experience can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to manage it on your own. ThedaCare offers specialized support through our Diabetes Education and Resources services. To get started, ask your primary care team for a referral.
“We want everyone with diabetes to thrive,” Gronke says. “Empowering people with knowledge helps them take control of their health with confidence.”
Learn more about Diabetes Education and Resources through ThedaCare.
To schedule an appointment once you have a referral in place, call 920-738-6521.
