Diabetes is common, so are the myths about it

Diabetes is common in America, affecting 10.5% of the population, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Yet people are often confused by myths about this chronic disease.

Diabetes affects more than 34 million Americans and millions more who don't know they have it or are prediabetic.

“It's important to learn what you can and to know how to prevent diabetes,” said Dr. Robert Gabbay, chief scientific and medical officer, American Diabetes Association. “It's best to do it early. The American Diabetes Association website [diabetes.org] has a wealth of information that is medically and scientifically sound.”

Blame game

One of the most common myths about diabetes is that if a person is overweight they will automatically get diabetes. While obesity is a leading driver for developing diabetes, it's not the only one.

Other factors like a family history of diabetes, having high blood pressure or living a sedentary lifestyle also increase the risk, Gabbay said.

People should eat a well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and maintain a healthy weight, but it's a myth that people are to blame, he said.

“The social stigma that someone who is overweight or obese is slothful, lazy and gluttonous is wrong. A lot of this is biology. Don't blame someone for having diabetes the same way you wouldn't blame someone for having cancer,” Gabbay said.

`Not a death sentence'

Diabetes is a serious medical condition and the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, a number that may be underreported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But diabetes can be managed with knowledge, a good health care team and serious efforts to take care of yourself.

“Diabetes is not a death sentence. Keeping most of your blood sugars in the target range can help you to live a healthy life with diabetes,” said Shannon Knapp, manager of diabetes care and education at Cleveland Clinic.

“There are tools and resources available today for diabetes management that weren't available 20, 10 or even five years ago.

From new medications to the latest ways to monitor blood sugars, know what your options are and take advantage of them.”

Insulin is a lifesaver

Another common myth is that once a person begins using insulin to treat type 2 diabetes, they will need to take insulin forever because diabetes is progressive, said Dawn Noe, a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes care and education specialist at Cleveland Clinic.

It is possible to return to oral medications after starting insulin in some instances, as long as the pancreas is functionally able to produce enough insulin to maintain normal sugar levels.

“I actually see many people able to use insulin at the beginning or when needed to get their blood sugars down in the short term; however, if they still make their own insulin, they may be able to decrease or be able to stop taking insulin with lifestyle changes,” Noe said.

Lifestyle changes include managing diet, exercise and weight.

“I like to recommend my patients who have lived with type 2 diabetes for more than 10 years find out if they still make their own insulin. This can be done with a simple blood test, called C-peptide,” Noe said.