Debunking 10 common diabetes myths
Learn the truth behind 10 common myths about diabetes, including misconceptions about causes, treatments, and complications. Educate yourself and others to better understand this prevalent condition.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 (10%) – DM1 – where the pancreas does not produce any insulin. This type is usually diagnosed when you are young
- Type 2 (90%) – DM2 – where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin. This type usually affects older people.
Here are 10 myths about diabetes (mainly concerning type 2 diabetes).
1. Myth: Diabetes is caused by eating sugar.
Fact: A high-calorie die – whether from sugar or other sources – contributes to weight gain, which can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
It’s not just about sugar. Excessive intake of any food that leads to obesity raises the risk of type 2 diabetes.
2. Myth: If you are overweight, you will definitely develop type 2 diabetes.
Fact: While being overweight is a significant risk factor, other factors also play a role, such as family history, ethnicity, and age. Many people with type 2 diabetes are of normal or moderate weight, so it’s not solely about body mass.
3. Myth: People with diabetes cannot eat chocolate or sweets.
Fact: People with diabetes don’t need to completely avoid any particular food. The key is moderation. Treats like chocolate can be enjoyed in small portions and reserved for special occasions, allowing patients to maintain a balanced diet.
4. Myth: People with type 2 diabetes do not produce insulin.
Fact: Most people with type 2 diabetes still produce insulin when they are first diagnosed, but it doesn’t work effectively (insulin resistance). Over time, the pancreas may produce less insulin, and some patients might need insulin injections.
However, whether a patient needs insulin or not does not indicate the severity of their condition, and type 2 diabetes is not necessarily milder than type 1 just because many patients are managed on tablets alone.
5. Myth: You should not get pregnant if you have diabetes because it is inherited (especially type 2).
Fact: Diabetes, especially type 2, has a hereditary component, but there’s no reason why a person with diabetes cannot plan a pregnancy. It’s true that there may be more complications, and babies might be larger than average.
However, with proper medical support, these risks can be managed effectively. Healthcare professionals will monitor and manage both mother and baby throughout pregnancy.
6. Myth: People with diabetes will have to give themselves injections.
Fact: Whilst patients with type 1 diabetes (and some with type 2) do require insulin injections, newer technologies are available. Devices that can deliver insulin continuously and monitor blood glucose levels automatically are now common, reducing the need for frequent injections and finger-pricks.
7. Myth: You cannot live an active life if you have diabetes; you should rest.
Fact: Physical activity is an essential part of managing diabetes. Exercise helps muscles use glucose without relying on insulin and is beneficial for overall cardiovascular, brain, and organ health.
Patients should be encouraged to stay active, and healthcare professionals can help design suitable exercise plans.
8. Myth: You do not need to test your blood sugar because you will know when it’s high or low.
Fact: Symptoms alone are not a reliable indicator of blood glucose levels. Various conditions can cause similar symptoms, such as frequent urination due to a urinary tract infection or fatigue from an upcoming cold.
The only accurate way to know blood glucose levels is through testing, making regular monitoring essential for effective diabetes management.
9. Myth: People with diabetes always feel unwell.
Fact: Many individuals with type 2 diabetes have no noticeable symptoms or experience only mild ones – especially in the early years – making it a ‘silent disease’, similar to hypertension.
Blood sugar levels slightly above normal (e.g., 7-10 mmol/L, compared to the normal range of 4-6 mmol/L) may not cause any symptoms.
When symptoms do appear, they can include increased thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, blurry vision, slow-healing cuts or bruises, and recurring infections.
10. Myth: People with diabetes will inevitably lose limbs, go blind, or need dialysis.
Fact: While diabetes can lead to complications such as blindness, kidney failure, limb amputations, heart attacks, and strokes, these outcomes are not inevitable.
Approximately 40% of people with diabetes may experience one or more of these complications, which tend to be interconnected.
However, proactive steps can significantly reduce the risks:
- Early diagnosis of diabetes
- Early treatment of diabetes (and prediabetes)
- Regular check-ups with diabetes specialists, and routine blood tests to monitor kidney function
- Effective blood pressure control
- Regular eye and foot screenings.
Understanding these myths and facts will help you educate patients accurately, support them in managing their condition, and dispel common misconceptions around diabetes.
Summary
We have described 10 common diabetes myths. We hope you have found it helpful.
Other resources
Halle Berry, her keto diet and diabetes
References
- American Diabetes Association (ADA). (2018). Classification and diagnosis of diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. Diabetes Care, 41(Supplement 1), S13-S27.
This article provides comprehensive guidelines on the classification and diagnosis of diabetes, explaining that Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance and is not solely caused by sugar consumption. - Hu, F. B., & Malik, V. S. (2010). Sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes: Epidemiologic evidence. Physiology & Behavior, 100(1), 47-54.
This study explains that while excessive sugar intake can increase the risk of obesity (a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes), it is not the sole cause of diabetes. Other dietary and lifestyle factors also play a role. - Colberg, S. R., Sigal, R. J., Yardley, J. E., Riddell, M. C., Dunstan, D. W., Dempsey, P. C., … & Tate, D. F. (2016). Physical activity/exercise and diabetes: A position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care, 39(11), 2065-2079.
This position statement highlights the benefits of physical activity for individuals with diabetes, debunking the myth that those with diabetes cannot live an active life. It stresses that exercise helps improve glucose control and overall health. - Norris, S. L., Engelgau, M. M., & Narayan, K. M. V. (2001). Effectiveness of self-management training in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Care, 24(3), 561-587.
This review supports the need for regular blood glucose testing and self-management to effectively control diabetes, challenging the misconception that one can rely solely on symptoms to gauge blood sugar levels. - Gregg, E. W., Li, Y., Wang, J., Burrows, N. R., Ali, M. K., Rolka, D., & Williams, D. E. (2014). Changes in diabetes-related complications in the United States, 1990–2010. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(16), 1514-1523.
This study documents a decline in diabetes-related complications due to improvements in early diagnosis, treatment, and management, debunking the myth that all individuals with diabetes will inevitably suffer severe complications like limb amputation or blindness.
