Written by Lindsey Wright, RN, CDE
Diabetes: The diagnosis can be devastating, the management stressful and the information overwhelming. The reality is diabetes stinks, but with the proper education, tools and support, this chronic disease can be controlled.
Many who are newly diagnosed will turn to their friends, family, coworkers or the Internet. As a result, they’re left filtering through an excessive amount of information that isn’t always true. While friends, family and coworkers can be great support, a diabetes health care team will provide the safest and most reliable information.
Here are four common misconceptions about diabetes:

MYTH 1: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
FACT: While studies show that sweetened foods can increase the chances of developing diabetes, excess sugar alone is not enough to cause diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown elements.  Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors.

MYTH 2: Type 2 diabetes isn’t as serious as type 1 diabetes.
FACT: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are serious diseases that can lead to the same complications, which include high blood pressure, heart disease, nerve damage, limb loss, kidney failure and blindness if not managed appropriately. Both types of diabetes should be taken very seriously.

MYTH 3: People with diabetes can eat as many sugar-free foods as they want and it will not raise their blood sugars.
FACT:  “Sugar-free” doesn’t always mean carbohydrate- or calorie-free. Carbohydrates make the largest impact on blood sugars. This doesn’t mean carbohydrates should be eliminated from the diet, but those with diabetes should pay particular attention to labels.

MYTH 4: When people with diabetes are placed on insulin, it means they have failed to properly care for themselves.
FACT: Even with the best effort, sometimes diet, exercise and medications fail to keep blood sugar levels in a suitable range in people with type 2 diabetes. Insulin injections give the control they need to enjoy a healthy life.

Lindsey Wright is a certified diabetes educator in the Department of Internal Medicine at SIU School of Medicine. To make an appointment with a member of the diabetes education team, call 545-8000.