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Diabetes is a much-misunderstood chronic health condition. For good reason, as doing the wrong things when living with diabetes can result in serious problems, including kidney disease, heart disease and even blindness. That said, having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t live an active and everyday life, contrary to some common diabetes myths and misconceptions that constantly do the rounds. 

The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Before going any further, it’s essential to understand that two types of diabetes exist and are different. Shattering a myth immediately — if you develop diabetes, you don’t automatically need insulin to live with it. 

If you’re diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, you will need insulin administration daily, but it is less common than Type 2 diabetes. It usually happens earlier in life, which is why it was previously known as “juvenile diabetes.” It develops when your body’s immune system attacks your pancreas, destroying the natural insulin-making cells. Logically, you’ll have to receive more insulin from somewhere for a healthy, fully functioning body.

The other type is way more common, with over 95% of those with diabetes diagnosed with the Type 2 condition. Historically, it was known as “Adult Onset diabetes” as symptoms only developed later in life. With more children, teenagers and young adults carrying diabetic histories nowadays, coupled with higher levels of physical inactivity and obesity, earlier diagnoses are more common. These factors contribute to inefficient glucose and insulin use in your body, resulting in high blood sugar levels. You can control these levels without extra insulin.

Now that you understand better, what are some common misconceptions concerning diabetes, and why are they myths rather than facts? 

1. People With Diabetes Can’t Eat Sugar

This statement is a total misconception. People with diabetes can eat sugar, but must enjoy a balanced diet to remain healthy. Every time you eat processed bread, salad dressing, packaged sauces and several other food types, you eat sugar unless otherwise specified. If you monitor your diet and glucose levels well, having the odd sugary snacks in front of the TV should be fine. Regular exercise helps to burn off any sugar intake, and it helps to reduce your adrenaline levels by meditating or regulating your breathing before you exercise.

2. Sugar Causes Diabetes

It’s a myth. Sugar isn’t what causes the diabetic condition. Type 1 is commonly due to immunity problems in your body, causing issues with pancreatic insulin production, while Type 2 comes down to several contributing factors. Sure, too much sugar can contribute to your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes, but only in conjunction with your genes, your age, diet, health, weight and activity levels. Ethnic background also plays a part, with a potassium deficiency among African-Americans making them more susceptible to Type 2 diabetes than caucasians, for example. 

3. You Mustn’t Eat Fruit With Diabetes

Nope. This statement is another myth. Experts suggest tropical fruits, including bananas, pineapples and watermelon, can spike blood sugar more than others. Even sugary fruit is healthier for people with diabetes than cookies, cakes and processed foods, as they contain natural sugars that your body processes differently. As long as you monitor your blood sugar, enjoy a balanced diet, and, preferably, mix your fruits with a protein like low-fat Greek yogurt, you can eat any fresh fruit you want. Your body benefits from fruit’s vitamins, fiber and other nutrients.

4. You Can’t Drink Alcohol With Diabetes

No, you can drink alcohol. Like for all people who enjoy drinking, moderation is the key word to maintaining better diabetic health. With Type 2 diabetes, you might take medication like metformin to balance your blood sugar. Overindulging in this case may cause lactic acidosis, resulting in decreased blood sugar and potential hypoglycaemia (hypos) — when your levels drop to below 4 mmol/l — so it’s important for men to limit their daily alcohol intake to two drinks per day and women to a single one.   

5. Don’t Drive With Diabetes

This statement is mythical — unless you’ve had more than your alcohol intake limit from the last point. You can safely drive with diabetes. If you do tend toward experiencing hypos, however, keep some snacks in your car to raise your blood sugars, as dangerously low levels could affect your driving ability. 

6. You Don’t Need Medicine to Cure Diabetes

Sadly, this statement is another myth. Bottom line — there is no recognized cure for diabetes, whether you’re taking medication or not. People with Type 1 diabetes will need insulin or an equivalent for life. In contrast, those with Type 2 may be able to reduce or completely drop their medicines through weight loss, more exercise and dietary and lifestyle changes. Doing so may allow you to live medicine-free, but you still have the condition. A relapse into former habits will likely necessitate a return to your previous status quo.

7. You’ll Know When You Have Diabetes

As a blanket statement, this is a misconception. Those with Type 1 diabetes will know sooner rather than later, as pancreatic underperformance will prompt a visit to a doctor. However, if you develop Type 2 diabetes with mild symptoms, you could go for months or even years without knowing you have the condition. Watch out for the following clues to identify Type 2 diabetes:

• Extreme thirst
• Hunger even after eating
• Frequent urination
• Abnormal fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Recurring infections
• Slow-healing bruises or cuts
• Diabetic neuropathy — tingling or burning sensations, often in the hands and feet, that turn to numbness over time.

Many people live with some or all of these symptoms for long periods without realizing their implications and seeking treatment.

8. Type 1 Diabetes is More Harmful Than Type 2 Diabetes

No, saying so is far from the truth. With properly managed Type 1 diabetes, you’re likely much better off than somebody with an untreated or unmanaged Type 2 condition. If you don’t know you have Type 2 diabetes, the harmful implications increase the longer you remain undiagnosed and untreated. Your condition may cause glaucoma, strokes, heart attacks or kidney damage. Diabetic neuropathy, if left, could result in limb amputation. 

Debunking These Diabetes Myths Provides More Facts

After understanding the myths and misconceptions surrounding diabetes, you should recognize it’s unnecessary to become a killjoy in life if you have the condition. Life goes on — as the saying goes, it is what you make it. If you have diabetes, apply the facts you’ve gleaned in this post to live your life to its fullest by adopting a lifestyle of moderation, health and planning.  Incorporate your diabetes into living, not the other way around.