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.

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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

Myths About Diabetes

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.

The Importance of Speaking to a Doctor

Myths About Diabetes

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 your doctor.

Speaking with your 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. 

Head over to the Okadoc app to immediately book an appointment with your health practitioner.