By Marie T. Niemeyer, RLD, CDE
Hannibal Regional Hospital is highlighting awareness of diabetes during November – National Diabetes Month. Diabetes is a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.
There are approximately 24 million people with diabetes and a quarter of them do not know they have the disease. With this many people having diabetes there are a myriad of myths and misconceptions that abound. Let’s explore some:
Myth: You can catch diabetes from someone else.
No, diabetes is not contagious. It cannot be caught like a cold or the flu. For Type 2 diabetes there appears to be a genetic link. Lifestyle plays a critical part.
Myth: Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar.
No, diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. Family history can be one factor. Being overweight and sedentary increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. So if there is a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy diet and enjoying regular exercise will help you manage your weight, which in turn may delay the onset of diabetes.
Myth: People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.
No, a healthy eating is the same as for everyone. Eat a diet low in fat, moderate in salt and sugar, with an emphasis on whole grains, fruit and vegetables. Diabetic and dietetic foods offer no special benefit. They still raise blood glucose levels, are more expensive and can have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.
Myth: People with diabetes cannot eat sweets or chocolate.
If eaten as part of a healthy diet and combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten. There are no off-limit foods. Remember balance and moderation. Portion control must be taken into account when planning your meals and snacks
Myth: Fruit is a healthy food; therefore, it is ok to eat as much as you wish.
Fruit is healthy, containing fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals, but fruit also contains carbohydrate. It needs to be included as part of a healthy meal plan.
Myth: I don’t need to take my diabetes medication if I am barely eating due to illness.
You should always take your medications as prescribed. Your blood sugar is likely to rise from the stress of being sick. You should try to maintain a steady eating schedule.
Diabetes can be better managed with education. Hannibal Regional Hospital offers classes to help people with diabetes learn to cope with the disease. Classes are offered at different times during the week in order to better suit patient’s schedules. A flexible payment option is available. Classes are covered by most insurances and Medicare. A physician referral is required. For more information contact Hannibal Regional Hospital Diabetes and Wound/Ostomy Center at 573-406-5823.