Diabetes is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin to maintain the sugar level in the body. Insulin is secreted by the organ pancreas which is present in our body and looks just like a leaf. Pancreas sits across the back of the abdomen behind the stomach. When pancreas fails to produce enough insulin to maintain the sugar level in our body, it leads to a metabolic disorder which is known as Diabetes or Diabetes mellitus which is caused due to the increased blood sugar level in our body. Diabetes is very common now-a-days. But there are some myths related to it which needs to be busted.
Myth no. 1:Diabetes is caused by excess intake of sugar
Truth- Diabetes is not caused by excessive intake of sugar or glucose. There are mainly two types of Diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes is caused when pancreas fails to produce insulin that maintains the glucose level in the body. The exact cause of Type 1 Diabetes is still unknown, but according to some researches, it is caused by environmental factor, genetic or viruses, but is never caused by excessive intake of sugar.
Type 2 Diabetes is that type of Diabetes which occurs in people who are above 40 years of age, overweight and have a family history of Diabetes. This type of Diabetes is also caused when the pancreas stops secreting insulin. But these days it is increasing in the younger generation as well.
Myth no. 2: Taking insulin means that you’ve failed
Truth- Taking insulin will you better in managing your Diabetes level and keep you free from complications, which are sometimes caused when you take excessive amount of Diabetic medications. Intaking of excessive amount medications sometimes have adverse effects on your organs.
If you have Type 1 diabetes, you are bound to take insulin as you have no other option. But if you have Type 2 diabetes, then your diabetes can be controlled by healthy eating and physical activity.
Myth no. 3: If you have Diabetes, you cannot have an active lifestyle
Truth- This myth is particularly problematic because many long-term studies have shown the positive impact regular physical activity has on lowering glucose. Naturally, any physical fitness program needs to be approved by your diabetologist prior to starting, but once you’ve settled into a program, being active and healthy with diabetes is absolutely possible and is definitely encouraged!
Myth no. 4: Injecting insulin is painful
Truth- Injecting insulin necessarily doesn’t have to hurt. In fact, it shouldn’t hurt. Practice good injection technique and the experience will be virtually painless. If you inject insulin with syringes, Andrea Penney, RN, CDE, of Joslin Diabetes Center, offers this advice: "After selecting and cleaning an injection site, firmly--but not tightly--pinch up an area about 2–3 inches wide. Inject at a ninety-degree angle while the skin is pinched. Leave the needle in while you relax the pinch. Count to five slowly. Then remove the needle. Do not massage the area after the injection."
