1. Diabetes sufferers cannot eat candy or chocolate. There is no reason at all why people with diabetes should not eat candy and chocolate, or indeed such things as cakes and sweet desserts, as long as these are eaten in moderation and form just one part of a normal healthy diet plan.
2. Diabetes sufferers cannot exercise or perform strenuous work. It is more important for diabetics to exercise regularly to keep fit and their body weights in check. In fact, an Austrian mountaineer Geri Winkler became the first insulin-dependent diabetic to reach the top of Mount Everest in May 2006.
3. Eating too much sugar can actually cause diabetes. Although the causes of diabetes are not fully understood, excessive consumption of sugar is certainly not one of them. In general it is believed that diabetes is genetic in origin and is triggered by a combination of environmental and lifestyle factors. Eating too much sugar could of course lead to an individual gaining weight and excessive weight is certainly one factor that can increase the risk of developing type II diabetes. It is however the excess weight that you are carrying and not the sugar that can trigger diabetes.
4. Diabetes sufferers are required to eat a special diabetic diet. So called “Diabetic" or “Diatetic" versions of some foods which are commonly sold in health food stores are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Diabetics, like everyone else, should eat a normal balanced diet which is low in fat and which contains moderate levels of both salt and sugar. The addition of whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit is also beneficial.
5. Diabetes is contagious. It is sometimes said that you can catch diabetes in much the same way as you would catch a cold or flu. There is no truth in this at all. It is believed however that diabetes sufferers are genetically predisposed to the disease and that it is triggered by environmental factors which will include both viruses and drugs, including antibiotics. It is possible therefore that catching a common illness, or treating that illness with antibiotics, may lead to the onset of diabetes.
6. Taking insulin can lead to high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. In early tests there was some suggestion that insulin might play a role in triggering processes associated with the development of hardened arteries but time has shown that there is no evidence that insulin causes either high blood pressure or hardening of the arteries.
7. Diabetic suffers should only eat very small amounts of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates, from which the body gets much of the glucose required for energy, are found in a range of foods including beans, bread, cereals, pasta and rice and normally account for about half to three-quarters of our dietary intake. Diabetics can and should include carbohydrates in their diet, especially as they also contain essential fiber, and the secret here is to simply ensure that they are balanced with other foods and that portion sizes are reasonable.
8. Diabetes sufferers are prone to catching colds and flu. There is no evidence to show that people with diabetes are any more or less likely than anybody else to catch a cold or flu. Because, however, illnesses of this nature can often interfere with levels of blood sugar, and thus make the management of diabetes more difficult, diabetes sufferers are encouraged to try to avoid catching such illnesses and, in particular, to have an annual flu shot. There are of course a host of other myths associated with diabetes, including the fact that insulin causes obesity and that diabetics should eat large quantities of fruit, but the 8 listed here are perhaps the most commonly heard myths.
Epidemiology Of Diabetes Mellitus
The actual condition is caused by deficiencies in either the secretion of insulin from the pancreas or its action throughout the body. Insulin is a hormone that allows body cells to absorb and store glucose, which converts to instant energy. If the body becomes deficient in insulin, the body may succumb to one of several forms of diabetes mellitus. Cells have difficulty absorbing glucose, which then builds up first in the blood supply and then urine. Since those affected must urinate frequently, the water-solute balance in the body is altered. Sufferers grow increasingly thirsty. Without glucose, body cells will then begin to deplete other valuable sources of fat and proteins as alternate energy sources. Sometimes rapid weight loss is the outcome, as is ketone accumulation within the blood and urine. Such a condition can result in what is called ketoacidosis, which affect the acid-base balance and can interfere with normal brain function.
It is important to know about diabetes mellitus in order to prevent or slow its onslaught. Diabetes mellitus can lead to kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage. Diabetes is one of the major causes of strokes and coronary heart disease. This disease affects almost 8% of the American population, while another 6 million people may have the disease and not even be aware of it. Costs of battling diabetes mellitus are rising at alarming rates, with billions of dollars spent every year in treatment and drugs to fight symptoms, in addition to hospital stays and physician's visits. Diabetes mellitus is the third leading cause of death in the United States, only after heart disease and cancer.
Genetics is a factor in whether or not you're apt to develop diabetes mellitus, as is your ethnic background. African Americans and Native Americans have higher prevalence for acquiring the disease than Caucasians. Birth weight can also be a factor, and the lower the birthrate, the higher your chance of acquiring Type 2 diabetes. By far, however, the greatest contributor to acquiring diabetes mellitus is obesity. American's today are growing heavier than they've ever been before, which is a reason why diabetes mellitus is on the rise.
While diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition, it can be controlled through careful diet and exercise programs. Blood glucose monitors used daily can keep the disease under control for those instructed to inject insulin. For those diagnosed as borderline, maintaining a normal weight and diet are vital to prevent the disease from growing worse. Obesity is one of the most common causes of diabetes, so watching fat and sugar intake goes a long way toward prevention. While diabetes mellitus can also be inherited, careful diet and maintaining a healthy life style can slow its onset.
Both Mohammed Saleh & Chonticha Marijne - are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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