1. Diabetes is contagious. False: Diabetes is an endocrine disease and is basically caused by a problem with the amounts of insulin produced by the beta cells in the pancreas. Diabetes tends to be an inherited trait that runs in families -- it is not contagious.
2. If children get diabetes, they'll eventually outgrow it. False: When children get diabetes, it is usually type 1, or insulin dependent diabetes. This form of diabetes is caused by the destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas.
3. Kids with diabetes can't exercise. False: Just the opposite is true. In fact, food intake, insulin, and physical activity is the basis for treatment of type 1 diabetes. Exercise lowers the amount of blood sugar, which results in a person feeling better, helps avoid becoming overweight, and losers the chances of developing the long-term complications associated with diabetes.
4. People with diabetes should avoid parties. False: There is no reason to do this since everyone needs to relax and socialize. In fact, parties are a great way to lower or avoid stress which can affect blood sugar levels.
5. Insulin cures diabetes. False: Insulin is a medicine that helps to keep the levels of blood sugar in the near-normal range. Insulin itself does not cure diabetes.
6. Pills for diabetes are oral insulin. False: Pills for diabetes work to affect the ability of the body t o use insulin better -- they are not oral insulin.
7. People with diabetes can't eat carbohydrates. False: Not true. However, when a person is diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to meet with a dietitian who is aware of the medical treatment planned. The dietitian can then help you balance medication with physical activity, life-style, and the amount and types of food that you eat.
8. Diabetes in women prevents them from having children. False: In the past, few technologies existed that would help people keep bloods sugars in the normal range. We now know that if a woman with diabetes becomes pregnant, she can deliver a healthy baby by maintaining normal blood sugar levels both before conception and throughout the pregnancy.
9. If my insulin dose is increased, my diabetes must be getting worse. False: The most important goal for people with diabetes is keeping near-normal blood sugar levels in order to feel well and avoid long-term diabetes complications. Tod do this, each person needs different amounts and types of food, activity, and medicines like insulin.
10. There are many jobs that people with diabetes can't do. False: Almost all jobs can be done by people with diabetes. In the past, some positions in the military, and occupations like airplane pilot or interstate truck driving were not available to people with diabetes. Today, many of these professions are changing those requirements.

There is no diabetes in my family, so I don't have to worry. Diabetes does run in families, but many people diagnosed with the disease have no close family members who have it. Lifestyle, heredity, and possibly other factors, such as certain viruses, may increase risk for the disease.

It's called sugar diabetes, so it must come from the sugar I eat. When you eat food, the body turns it into a form of energy called glucose, also known as "blood sugar." Glucose is not the refined sugar that you buy in stores. Insulin helps move the blood glucose into the body's cells for energy. When the body's own insulin does not work well or when not enough is made, the blood glucose level rises. Then the person has diabetes.

I'll know that I have diabetes by my symptoms. A person with type 1 diabetes, usually seen in children and young adults, will have obvious symptoms, because they have little or no insulin, the hormone that controls the blood glucose level. However, people with type 2 diabetes, which usually occurs later in life, or women who have gestational diabetes, the special diabetes that only appears during pregnancy, may have few or no symptoms. Their symptoms are milder since they still produce some insulin. Unfortunately, they don't make enough insulin, or it is not being used properly. Only a blood test can tell for sure if someone has diabetes.

My doctor says I have "borderline" diabetes. Since I have just a "touch of sugar," I don't have to worry. There is no such thing as borderline diabetes. To many people, "borderline" means they don't really have the disease, so they don't have to make any changes to control it. This is wrong. If you have diabetes, you have diabetes. Diabetes must be treated and taken seriously.

By drinking water, I can wash away the extra sugar in my blood and cure my diabetes. Although you can wash away sugar spilled on a table, you cannot wash away a high blood glucose level by drinking water. However, you can control diabetes by eating healthy food, being physically active, controlling your weight, seeing your medical team regularly, taking prescribed medications, and monitoring your blood glucose often.

Insulin is a cure for diabetes. Insulin is not a cure for diabetes. At this point, there is no cure; there are only medicine and behaviors that can control diabetes. Insulin helps to control diabetes by keeping the blood glucose from rising.

My friend takes insulin pills to control her diabetes. Insulin is a protein; it cannot be taken by mouth because the stomach would not digest it. Insulin must be given by injection or insulin pump through the skin. Diabetes pills help by making the body produce more insulin, use its own insulin better, produce less blood glucose from the liver, or limit carbohydrate absorption after a meal.

If I don't take diabetes medicine, my diabetes must not be serious. Not everyone who has diabetes takes diabetes medicine. If the body produces some insulin, weight loss, healthy eating habits, and regular physical activity can help insulin work more effectively. However, diabetes does change over time, and diabetes medicine may be needed later.

If I get diabetes, I will never be able to eat any sugar. To control one's blood glucose, all sources of carbohydrates must be controlled. Carbohydrates include starchy foods like pasta and bread as well as sugary foods like candy. Even juice, milk, and fruit all contain carbohydrates, so they must be eaten in moderate amounts. With careful planning, small amounts of sugar can replace other carbohydrates usually eaten at a meal. Too much sugar is bad for everyone. It provides only empty calories.

I have diabetes, and I've seen its effect on family members. I know there is nothing I can do about it. Remember that diabetes is serious, common, costly, and CONTROLLABLE. There are many things people with diabetes can do to live a full life, while preventing or delaying complications. You can control your diabetes by eating healthy foods, staying active, losing weight if needed, taking medicine as prescribed, testing your blood glucose, and seeing your health care team.

And still more myths:

1. Once you start taking diabetes pills or insulin for type 2 diabetes, you can never get off them. False: Sometimes, there are temporary circumstances that cause elevated sugar levels. With passage of time, and the resolution of a temporary stress, plus continued emphasis on meal planning and exercise, some people who had been started on diabetes pills and/or insulin may find that they can control their blood sugar without medications.
2. You must use alcohol on the skin before fingersticks or insulin shots. False: cleansing with warm water is sufficient.

More Myths

What are some of the myths about flu?
Myths and truths about diabetes and smoking
10 Myths about Diabetes by Martha M. Funnell MS, RN, CDE, at Diabetes Digest
Medical myths involving diabetes at theclinics.com
Diabetes Myths at DiabetesDek

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