Day 3-Diabetes Myths

MYTHS ABOUT TYPE 1 DIABETES

Myth #1 You can catch diabetes from someone else.
Fact: No. Although we don’t know exactly why some people develop diabetes, we know diabetes is not contagious. It can’t be caught like a cold or flu.

Myth #2 People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate.
Fact: If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes. There are no more “off limits” to people with diabetes, than they are to people without diabetes.

Myth #3 Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
Fact: No. Diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar. Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. However, being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Myth #4 I'll know if I have diabetes because I'll feel sick.
Fact: One third of the 21 million people with diabetes don't know they have it. Uncontrolled diabetes damages blood vessels and other parts of your body.

Myth #5 Diabetes can be cured by a diet.
Fact: This is another huge misconception. No diet can cure diabetes. For that matter, diabetes cannot even be controlled with a diet. The most a diet can do is to keep the blood sugar level in a healthy state.

There are many misconceptions about diabetes. Education is ONE of the key elements in diabetes management. Our two boys did not ask for this disease! They didn't eat too many cookies or drink too much kool-aide to develop diabetes. A "miracle" diet, special herb or pill cannot cure them from diabetes. And you will not "catch" diabetes if they sneeze, cough, breathe, or bleed on you! Take time out today and learn something you didn't know about diabetes and comment back to us.