Diabetes is one of the most common chronic ailments in the world. In fact, it affects more than 422 million people across the globe and caused roughly 1.5 million deaths just in 2019. It causes a wide range of serious health conditions, including heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, etc.

Also, diabetes increases your risk of developing severe complications from common infections. When someone is diabetic, it takes longer for their body to heal wounds and injuries. In the worst-case scenario, it could result in limb amputation.

Despite the prevalence of the disease, there’s an abundance of myths and misconceptions surrounding diabetes. Does eating excess sugar cause your blood sugar levels to spike? Should people with diabetes avoid exercise? Does everyone who has diabetes need to take insulin injections?

This is just a glimpse of questions that come to your mind when you think about diabetes. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s crucial to separate the facts from myths.

To begin with, you must know the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that damages the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Consequently, it affects the body’s ability to process and absorb glucose and results in elevated blood sugar levels.

On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas still produces insulin, but the body is unable to use the hormone. Consequently, glucose present in the bloodstream isn’t absorbed by the cells and results in higher blood sugar levels.

In this blog, we’ll take a look at the most crucial type 2 diabetes myths that you should watch out for. Let’s get started.

1. It Isn’t a Big Deal

This is the biggest mistake that many people make when they’re first diagnosed with diabetes. It’s easy to dismiss type 2 diabetes as just another outcome of our hectic, fast-paced lives. However, if you don’t start paying attention to your health early on, you could face a wide range of life-threatening complications in the long run.

From stroke and heart attack to nerve damage and hearing loss – diabetes can wreak havoc on your body. That’s why you should consult an experienced endocrinologist or diabetologist to figure out the best course of treatment for you. Make sure you do this as soon as you receive your diagnosis.

If you aren’t diabetic, but your family has a history of the disease, you should carefully watch out for common symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue
• Excessive hunger or thirst
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Frequent urination
• Poor wound healing

Make sure you regularly monitor your blood glucose levels and maintain a chart to identify any abnormalities. 

2. You Can Tell When Your Blood Sugar Levels Fluctuate

If you’ve had diabetes for a while, you could think that you’re an expert in understanding your blood sugar levels. For instance, if you’re feeling tired and dizzy, you might assume that you’re becoming hypoglycemic and amp up your sugar intake. However, you can experience weakness from a ton of other illnesses and infections.

That’s why it is always a good idea to check your blood sugar levels at least once a day. While run-of-the-mill glucometers might be more affordable upfront, they result in loss of finger sensitivity and don’t monitor your blood sugar round-the-clock.

If you’re tired of pricking your fingers every day to monitor your blood sugar, you should consider using a sophisticated continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device like the FreeStyle Libre Sensor.

It’s a nifty circular sensor that can be applied to your upper arm easily. It comes with a dedicated reader and even pairs with your smartphone via an app. The sensor monitors your blood sugar levels throughout the day and relays this information to your smartphone. It can record and store the data for up to 14 days.

This, in turn, makes it easier for you to monitor your health. You can even discuss the possibility of adjusting your medication accordingly with your doctor. If you’re skeptical about the cost of your first CGM device, make sure you check out GetDealRX for a FreeStyle Libre coupon.

3. Eating Too Much Sugar Causes Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes isn’t an outcome of consuming excessive sugar. If this were the case, eliminating sugar from your diet would have fixed the problem. But this almost never happens. It’s important to understand that diabetes is caused by a wide array of factors, including your lifestyle and eating habits.

Also, people belonging to certain ethnicities might be genetically predisposed to type 2 diabetes. Excessive stress and lack of physical exercise can also cause your pancreas to malfunction. So, the most effective way of keeping diabetes at bay is to embrace a healthy and peaceful lifestyle.

Getting diagnosed with diabetes isn’t a death sentence. Proper medication, insulin therapy, and lifestyle modifications can go a long way to keep your blood sugar levels in check and protect you from the long-term complications of diabetes. Instead of relying on myths, home remedies, and natural therapies, make sure you follow your doctor’s advice.