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World Diabetes Day 2023: Diabetes is a chronic ailment that affects millions of people across the world annually. Thousands of people are struggling with diabetes even without knowing that they are diagnosed with this health ailment. To raise awareness about diabetes and its management, every year, World Diabetes Day is observed on November 14.

When we talk about diabetes, we come across several myths that we may have believed to be true. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Dilip Gude, Senior Consultant Physician, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad explained some common myths surrounding diabetes that need to be busted now.

Watch the video below for diet modifications for diabetic patients: 

Myths About Diabetes

1. Diabetic patients should not exercise as sugar levels may fall

According to Dr Gude, diabetes patients must exercise as good exercise controls sugars well, and improves peripheral uptake of sugars. A combination of cardio exercises such as treadmill/brisk walk/swimming and weights/resistance training definitely helps a diabetic patient from various cardiometabolic and renal disorders.

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2. Eating lots of sugar will get you diabetes

While it is usually discouraged to eat sugars for everyone including non-diabetics, just eating a sugar-rich diet will not predispose one to develop diabetes.

3. I have no family history hence I will not get diabetes

Having a higher body mass index as in overweight/obesity, stress levels, lack of sleep/exercise/high calorie diets etc will put one at high risk of diabetes regardless of one’s family history.

Myths about diabetes that need to be busted now (Image Credits: Freepik)

4. Once on insulin, I will have to be on it forever

Dr Gude says that with the advent of newer antidiabetic agents’ insulin use can be brought down significantly and in a good 30-40% percentage of insulin-using diabetics the total amount of insulin use in a diabetic patient can be significantly brought down by 70% or more. In some patients, insulin can be stopped. This is possible with good diet/exercise and the use of newer antidiabetic agents.

5. Seeing a doctor once a year is ok as my sugars seem to be okay

Regular follow-up with a doctor is important at least more frequently than once in 3 months even with good control as there are various end organ damage control tests that may need to be done to gauge the onset of nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy and heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and brain stroke risk etc.

ALSO READ: World Diabetes Day 2023: Expert Lists Common Mistakes That Make One Prone To Diabetes

6. Any diabetic drug is ok as long as sugars are in control

American Diabetic Association has recommended the use of a specific group of antidiabetic agents such as SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP 1 Ras, metformin etc which apart from controlling sugars improve one’s heart attack risk/heart failure risk, kidney disease risk, apart from lowering weight and controlling blood pressure. Guidelines to control BP in a diabetic are more stringent as in 130mm systolic or less and 85m diastolic or less and the use of ACE inhibitors or ARBS is a must in diabetic hypertensives.

7. My cholesterol levels are similar to my nondiabetic colleague and it is okay

According to Dr Gude, LDL and other lipid parameter goals are more stringent in a diabetic patient and accordingly, statins, ezetimibe, and PCSk9 inhibitors must be used to get to the desired LDL goals in a diabetic patient.

 

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)

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