Myths and truths about diabetes

There are many assumptions around diabetes.Many of them are only myths that distort reality about the treatment and causes of diabetes, and that when misinforming only do more damage.It is important to inform yourself directly with a specialist doctor to clarify any questions, since the lack of information can be dangerous.
Here are some of the most common myths about diabetes [1].

• Myth 1: "Insulin causes blindness or amputations"

False: sadly this is a common belief, which causes some patients to show reluctance to follow insulin treatments, which only further complicates the disease.

Insulin is a hormone naturally produced by the body when it is healthy, and therefore cannot be guilty of such complications, since its natural function is to reduce blood glucose levels.Insulin helps treatment, does not worsen the disease if it is administered correctly.

The possible cause of this myth is that the appearance of these complications in some cases usually coincides over time with the prescription of insulin, however, it is not linked to the application of insulin, but to a prolonged lack of control of the levels ofglucose that gradually affects the organs of the body.

• Myth 2: "Diabetes can be caused by strong emotions such as anger or fright"
FALSE: Diabetes is caused by a failure in the production and/or function of insulin segregated by the pancreas.This has nothing to do with experiencing strong or traumatic emotions.There is no single arte to date ■■■■ Validate scientist who proves that this disease is triggered in an instant due to an emotional shock state.The only factors that influence the appearance of this are: genetic and ethnic (which we cannot control), and lifestyle or environmental (food and physical activity) which we can control.In addition, it must be considered that years of bad habits are required to deteriorate the pancreas to such a degree that its operation deteriorates.

This myth has become very popular, but it is completely false.Cases of people who already suffered from this disease have been reported, but they had not been diagnosed until they presented discomforts after a traumatic experience (fright, anger, fear, etc.), and therefore related anger, or fear, withThe appearance of the disease.

• Myth 3: “If I'm diabetic I can't eat fruits

False: fruit is a healthy food.It contains fiber and many vitamins and minerals.Diabetes suffering does not mean that fruits are prohibited, they should only be controlled within the food plan since they contain natural sugars.If consumed in adequate portions and in the indicated times they are perfectly accepted.

• Myth 4: "Diabetes is a normal disease in older adults and cannot be prevented"

FALSE: Diabetes can occur at any age, although risks increase over time, which does not mean that it is a normal condition of aging.It is a disease that can be prevented if healthy lifestyles are taken.In the case of type 1 diabetes, it cannot be prevented, since it is a condition that occurs from childhood without bad health habits.

• Myth 5: "Alternative medicine cures diabetes"

FALSE: Various studies are currently conducted by international health organizations and research institutes in universities and hospitals worldwide about treatment and cure for this disease.However, although there is no cure to date, great advances have been made around treatment to offer patients a better quality oflife.

Unfortunately, there are techniques that make them happen to this disease and deceive people presenting "alternative" products (such as herbalist, naturist products without serious scientific bases, home remedies, and others).These far from healing the disease can cause more damage to those who consume them, because they make them believe exempt from medical treatment, being that their body continues to suffer from diabetes.

• Myth 6: "Being diagnosed with pre diabetes means that I still don't have to take care of me"

FALSE: If a doctor indicates that it is at risk of diabetes, strict precautionary measures should be taken to prevent this disease from developing.It is known that if healthy habits are adopted in time and have a constant control over a healthy lifestyle, it can be preventable.

• Myth 7: "Light products control glucose and can be consumed indiscriminately"

False: even reduced fat or sugar products, have calories that must be taken into account for daily intake.For example, sometimes sugar reduction is minimal, so we should not trust that these products are totally healthy and recommended.The secret is not to consume “light” food, but to learn to choose adequate portions to maintain healthy weight and stable blood glucose levels.

• Myth 8: "Only with exercise and food you can control glucose"

This myth is not entirely false, because it is true that a balanced and individualized feeding plan to adapt to the needs of each patient, coupled with a physical activity plan, greatly help maintain stable glucose levels.Once this disease is diagnosed, it is natural for the body to wear out over time (which is why it is defined as "chronic-degenerative"), so that the taking of oral medications or insulin are of vital importance to achieve adequate control.It takes all these actions together to prevent complications that can be lethal.

• Myth 9: "People with diabetes should not perform physical activity"
False: people with diabetes can and should perform physical activity regardless of their age (such activity must be adapted to the conditions of each patient).Some recommendations are to monitor glucose levels before, during and after exercise, to act quickly if hypoglycemia occurs, and carry a credential or identification with name, type of diabetes and medication under which it is in case you need help.Moderate exercises, like half an hour of walking a day, help improve health conditions and glucose levels.

• Myth 10: "Women with diabetes cannot be pregnant, or run the risk of infecting their children"

False: women with diabetes can have children like any other woman, but it is of great importance to their health, such as that of their child, who carry a strict control of their blood glucose levels before, during and after pregnancy.Because some drugs cannot be administered during pregnancy, it is important to follow a diet made by a diabetes specialist nutritionist, and constant monitoring with the pediatrician and the basic doctor.

As for the baby, it is false that diabetes can be infected, since it is a systemic condition, that is, a failure of the pancreas specifically, not a virus or a contagious disease, so the baby is not intended to sufferThis disease.

• Myth 11: "A person with diabetes can consume what he wants, as long as he is injected correctly insulin and take his medications."

FALSE: Eating in excess is harmful to any organism.Weight gain,Triglycerides, cholesterol, high blood pressure, and liver problems are some of the consequences of poor diet that cannot be counteracted by applying insulin.A balance should always be sought between what is consumed and what is spent.
Those who suffer from diabetes should keep in mind that bringing a healthy eating plan is part of the treatment of the disease, and that this is equally important as the taking of medications.The fact of being under pharmacological treatment does not mean effective control of the disease, it is essential that the patient undertakes to follow treatment to the letter, and thus avoid complications.

I never understood much that many foreros proclaimed "whenever you injected the corresponding insulin amount, you can eat whatever you want," we know that it is not so:/

@Andresito is a phrase that I have read many times, it refers above all that compared to type 2 diabetes, which requires diet and insulin is not used, in type 1 the amount of insulin can be adjusted according to theCarbohydrates that you are going to eat, it is not an exact science, but that allows you to more flexibility with meals than with type 2, still, I agree with you that it is not easy, but it can be done.;)

In 20 years of diabetes, none of these false myths had never heard.

As much had read that stress could be a trigger for diabetes, but not "anger" or "fright",

And what a type1 diabetic can eat whatever, adjusting the dose is not a false myth, obviously within the limits of the action of insulin and of which a non -diabetic person also has (cholesterol, weight, weight,liver, etc).But that is already common.

Andresito said:
I never understood that many foros proclaim "whenever you injepe the corresponding amount of insulin, you can eat whatever you want", we know that it is not so:/

I say it, and for me it is like that.As I ate before being type1, I have not changed anything, more or less healthy and with some whim.A lot of proof and error and especially the MCG.

The best of all is that "women with diabetes can have children ".They forgot to add the words " with diabetes".
If your own child does the p ****** of transmitting your diabetes, then you did not know, you already knew what there was.

roar said:
The best of all is that "women with diabetes can have children ".They forgot to add the words " with diabetes".
If your own child does the p ****** of transmitting your diabetes, then you did not know what there was.

Is diabetes hereditary?

@Juan_Miguel1 because A.Mi told me yes, just like any other chronic disease.

Juan_miguel1 said:

roar said:
The best of all is that "women with diabetes can have children ".They forgot to add the words " with diabetes".
If your own child does the p ****** of transmitting your diabetes, then you did not know what there was.

Is diabetes hereditary?

There are several painful studies that doctors always support to say that there is only a small percentage of transmitting it to your child.

Then in practice you see how it is on subject and flips.Unite English -speaking International Facebook groups with thousands of diabetics and look at the brutal amount of type1 parents that your child ends up developing the disease within a few years, the best of all is that they then have another child and Zasca also type1 of young man.Recently, a mother put a photo of the Dexcom G5 app in which she was monitored to her 3 type1 children, all happy that the insurance in the US covers the Dexcom.

artories said:

Juan_miguel1 said:

roar said:
roar said:
the best of all is that "women womenWith diabetes they can have children ".They forgot to add the words " with diabetes".
If your own child does the p ****** of transmitting your diabetes, then you did not know what there was.

Is diabetes hereditary?

There are several painful studies that doctors always support to say that there is only a small percentage of transmitting it to your child.

Then in practice you see how it is on subject and flips.Unite English -speaking International Facebook groups with thousands of diabetics and look at the brutal amount of type1 parents that your child ends up developing the disease within a few years, the best of all is that they then have another child and Zasca also type1 of young man.Recently, a mother put a photo of the Dexcom G5 app in which she was monitored to her 3 type1 children, all happy that the insurance in the US covers the Dexcom.

But my family has only any type 2 diabetes none of a type if my family has type 2 diabetes (my grandfather from the maternal part, my grandmother from paternal, my uncle and my father.type 1 diabetic?

@Juan_Miguel1 is hereditary? Yes, but it doesn't mean it is always.In my house we were two diabetic girls and only my maternal grandfather was type II diabetic, but I played and the two type I from good girls.Perhaps the inherited gene came from before, healing was worse and Moria many people without knowing that, they are only assumptions ... I would prefer to have inherited millions, because yes !!But what will be done

Even what Yosé, type I, is not hereditary, is genetic, of selfimune origin, which is hereditary is type II.
The risk that the son of a diabetic parent is 17%, increasing if they developed it before 11 years to 25% and more if the diabetic is the father