It’s National Diabetes Week !! To raise awareness, there are many myths about diabetes which may make it hard to understand. To cut through the confusion, here are some of the common misconceptions broken down:
1. Myth- Diabetes is not serious
Fact- There is no such thing as “mild” diabetes. All types of diabetes are serious and can lead to complications if not well managed. Diabetes can affect quality of life and can reduce life expectancy.
2. Myth- All types of diabetes are the same
Fact- There are many different types of diabetes. The main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. There are also other forms of diabetes but they are less common. Each type of diabetes has different causes and may be managed in different ways but once someone has diabetes, it will need to be managed every day, except gestational diabetes which goes away once the baby is born. All types of diabetes are complex and serious.
3. Myth- Diabetes can be prevented
Fact- Not all types of diabetes can be prevented. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition; there is no cure and no prevention. We do not know what causes type 1 diabetes.
For type 2 diabetes, it is estimated that up to 58 percent of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by exercise and healthy eating. There is no single cause of type 2 diabetes, but there are well-established risk factors. Your risk of developing diabetes is also affected by things you cannot change such as family history, where you were born or your ethnicity.
4. Myth- You have to be overweight or obese to develop diabetes
Fact- Being overweight or obese is one risk factor for type 2 diabetes, it is not a direct cause. Some people who are overweight may not develop type 2 diabetes while some people who are of a healthy weight will develop type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is not preventable and not associated with lifestyle factors.
5. Myth- You only get type 1 diabetes when you’re young
Fact- Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age but it often occurs in children and young adults.
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