7 Myths About Diabetes You Should Ignore

Diabetes is a very common condition many people over the world suffer from. It is a very serious health complication that can last up to a lifetime. With the wide range of information about diabetes including its symptoms, causes, and treatments is very easy to confuse what’s true and what’s untrue. With that being said, getting the correct information from legitimate sources is crucial.
Read More:
- The 7 Most Common Menstrual Disorders
- Myth vs. Reality: What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like?
- Eid Al Adha: Healthy Tips for a Safe Celebration
With the wide amount of information regarding diabetes available on the internet, its very easy to get lost and blur facts and myths about diabetes. In this article, we’ll outline 7 myths about diabetes that you really should ignore.
Myths About Diabetes You Should Ignore

Myth 1: Insulin shots are painful
Depending on who you ask, all injections and shots will hurt. But it’s important to know that insulin shots aren’t your typical injection and are designed differently from the traditional needle.
Insulin shots are thin, short, with beveled tips that have a lubricant coating. The needle itself only injects into the fat layers under the skin and affect very few nerve ending. When administered correctly, it should be painless.
Myth 2: Obesity is the cause of diabetes
It is true that obesity can significantly increase the risk of diabetes, but it is a myth that obesity is the direct cause. This is because of the obesity rate around the world is much higher than that of diabetes. This means that obesity does is not a sure, guaranteed way to give you diabetes.
And though this may not be true, it is very important to maintain a healthy weight as being overweight or obese can put you at risk of many health complications including diabetes.
Myth 3: Being able to measure blood sugar by feeling
This myth has obviously come from people who have diabetes. Some people claim to be able to know whether their blood sugar levels are high or low based on their personal feeling and condition.
However, this simply isn’t true. Symptoms and warning signs of fluctuating blood sugar levels are noticeable but are not conclusive or reliable in measuring actual blood sugar levels.
Myth 4: Insulin causes weight gain
Many people believe that insulin may be the cause of weight gain because diabetics often gain weight quite easily after insulin therapy. Although it is still widely debated whether insulin itself is the direct cause of weight gain, there is a more detailed explanation and reason as to why people easily gain weight after insulin therapy.
When blood sugar levels become elevated, glucose is excreted in the urine, eliminating calories in the process. When insulin treatment begins, these calories end up staying in the body, resulting in weight gain.
Myth 5: Diabetics cannot eat sugar
Sugar does indeed have a strong correlation between the development and condition of diabetes in one’s health. And though it is an ingredient that should be heavily reduced and monitored for people suffering from diabetes, it doesn’t mean that it should completely be cut off.
The body needs glucose in every cell of the body to provide fuel for energy. And though the number of sugar diabetics can have will vary based on their personal condition, the belief that diabetics must completely cut off sugar consumption is a myth.
Myth 6: Insulin causes blindness
Insulin is extremely important for diabetics but it is also still widely debated whether one of its side effects is causing blindness. Many believe that using insulin medication later on after the disease is well in its course may be the reason for blindness.
Myth 7: Diabetics should not exercise
This is undoubtedly a myth. There is no physical limitation imposed by diabetes. The fact is that increased physical activity can lead to low blood sugar. Exercise can still be done by someone who is diagnosed with diabetes as long as medicine and diet can maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
When To See A Doctor?

With all the information online, it’s very easy to get lost or mislead on a very serious health matter. The safest way to go learn more about diabetes and whether it is relative to your personal health, speak with a specialist.
Speaking with a doctor will not only give you professional advice and facts on the disease but can also give you advice and tips on the prevention and management of diabetes.
Go to Okadoc.com or download our mobile app, and choose your preferred method of meeting your Diabetes and Endocrinology doctor.
- Click here to book an In-person consultation appointment
- Or here to schedule a secure Video consultation
More Articles
Back to School: Prepare Your Kids for School After COVID-19
With more kids going back to in-person classes this year, with the COVID-19 Delta variant on the rise, this year’s back-to-school won’t be as usual.
Fresh Recipes To Cool Down The Summer Heat
From the easiest summer salad recipe to simple desserts, these easy summer recipe ideas will keep your summery breezy.
Why Watching TV Is Good?
Do you ever think that spending hours in front of the TV is not a healthy option for spending time? What if we told you that this has several benefits?
How To Heal & Prevent Sunburn?
Sunburn is a skin burn that occurs if exposed to the sun for too long without precautions. Here are some tips on how to heal sunburn and how to prevent it.
What To Eat For Suhoor? Easy And Healthy Ideas
For people who fast in Ramadan, Suhoor is considered as body fuel, this is why it’s important to have a balanced meal. Here is our healthy recipes selection
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Could You Be At Risk?
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)? What causes it? How to detect it? And how to treat it? Learn more about how a billion people are impacted…
5 Reasons To Start Working Out Now
You’ve probably heard countless times how working out have many benefits for the whole body and mind. Here is 5 reasons why you should start working out now
Virtual Consultation With Doctors Through Okadoc
Okadoc now offers virtual consultation with trusted doctors and hospitals. Learn more here!
Reasons Why You Always Feel Hungry
Hunger is a natural signal to your body that it needs more food. There are many explanations why you constantly feel hungry, read more to discover them.
The 7 Most Common Menstrual Disorders
Some women have little or no problems during their periods, while others have different menstrual disorders due to many causes. Learn more about this topic.