Understanding the Cause

Diabetic Myths

“Arey Raju, do not eat sugar. You will get Diabetes”. How many times have we heard this? This and many others are rooted down in our psyche for year immemorial and now we will take a fresh and scientific look at these so called “Diabetic Facts” or shall we say the “Diabetic Myths”.

Myth No 1

Eating sugar will never cause diabetes. Diabetes is a disease caused by many factors-some genetic, some environmental etc, but never by eating sugar. Our body is well capable of dealing with excess sugar intake, if not a Diabetic already.

Myth no 2

No. Even though diabetes is a heritable disease, it is not a must that every one, whose parent is a diabetic, must be a diabetic themselves.

But yes, they do have a higher risk of being a diabetic than others who do not have a family history of Diabetes.

Myth No 3

Stress –the greatest scapegoat for all of our maladies, be it hypertension, heart problem or diabetes. There is no actual evidence that stress causes diabetes but, yes, it can worsen the situation by causing fluctuation of the sugar levels due to complex hormonal interplay.

Myth No 4

Partially correct. Diabetics need to keep their blood sugar under control and since the sweets and sugar is made of a type of sugar absorbed directly and almost wholly, we need to keep a check on its consumption. In addition the rice, wheat and tubers we eat are all sources of sugar (glucose), which also raise our blood sugar. If sweets are to be consumed, as on festivals etc, we have to take care that our other dietary sources of glucose like rice, tubers etc are cut down for that day.

Myth no 5

Except for some very sweet fruits like Mango, Guava, Grapes, Banana etc all other fruits can be taken, but again keeping in mind the total calories being consumed.

Myth no 6

Here again the same principle of balanced diet applies, keeping in mind that it is the totals which matter, not the type of food. Rice can be eaten.

Myth no 7

An emphatic no. Pulses in fact contain proteins needed for proper wound healing and must not be eliminated from people with diabetic ulcers etc.

Myth no 8

No, tablets are equally good, depending on the type of diabetes a person has. Type 1 is treated with Insulin alone and is not treated with tablets, so called as Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Type 2 is initially treated with oral drugs, but if not controlled or after many years of treatment with tablets, insulin can be used to treat type 2 also.

Myth no 9

No. Treatment for diabetes is for life and there is no escaping from that, except in cases where blood sugar was transiently elevated due to some other reasons.

Myth no 10

Although this is the goal for self-management of diabetes, this can be done only when the patient is educated and well knowledgeable about the side effects of hypoglycemia and it’s treatment.

Myth no 11

Though blood sugar control is the short-term target, it is not the goal. There are many other factors like eye, heart, kidney health etc, which need periodic screening to detect and treat the complications early. Hence periodic physician consultation is a must.

Myth no 12

Insulin and tablets are only one part of the treatment of diabetics. Diet control, weight control and exercise form inalienable part of the treatment and must be strictly followed.

Myth no 13

Periodic blood glucose monitoring is a must, since high blood sugar is a silent killer causing eye, heart, kidney and brain damage without any symptoms till it is too late.

Myth no 14

Impotence due to erectile dysfunction is an established complication of males but is not a definite companion of diabetes.

Myth no 15

No. Obesity is rather a risk factor for the onset of type 2 diabetes.

So with so many myths around and so many contradictory scientific discoveries doing rounds in the media, it is not unusual for a diabetic, even an educated one, to be confused. Best way out is to keep in touch with the family physician and discussing with him or her, every part of your health care.