In today's Diabetes Daily Dose I wanted to share with everyone the common myths and misconceptions about Type 1 Diabetes. As a mother to a T1 it's hard on me when people say "Well she can't be eating that candy, why are you letting her eat candy with diabetes"? I know myself that she IS ALLOWED to eat candy or whatever she wants but it's hard trying to explain and dismiss all the "old time thinking" of diabetes. On one hand you know the truth and know your right but on the other hand it makes you feel like a mad mother....it's a no win situation for me anyways!! So I'm hoping this will "clear" the air for some.
Myth: Diabetes is not that serious of a disease.
Truth: Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke
Myth: Diabetes is caused from eating to much/ being fat!
Truth: Yes being over weight has been know to trigger type 2 diabetes but it has nothing to do with Type 1 Diabetes.
Myth: That insulin is the cure!
Truth: Insulin is in no way the cure. Insulin is only thing keeping diabetics alive, it's the medicine to CONTROL it not CURE it!
Myth: The most common myth is diabetics should never eat sweets!!
Truth: Lets be honest to many sweets isn't good for anyone, BUT with the right amount of insulin you can eat anything! Plus sweets are a major roll in a diabetics life. If your sugar gets low sweets, juices, etc are what helps raise your sugar back up.
Myth: People with diabetes shouldn't play sports (HaHa)
Truth: YES THEY CAN! That's just a silly myth in my opinion. Exercise is key for diabetics, it keeps their sugar levels down and with diabetic kids it shows them they can still do anything and builds up more confidence!!
Myth: Women with Diabetes shouldn't get pregnant
Truth: Today's medical advancements have changed everything. It does take extra commitment and more education but it can be done!
Myth: Kids can outgrow diabetes.
Truth: Kids do not outgrow diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin are destroyed. Once they're destroyed, they will never make insulin again. Kids with type 1 diabetes will always need to take insulin (until a cure is found)
I know this isn't all the myths out there but they are the most common.
For more information on Diabetes please visit American Diabetes Association and JDRF
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