New Delhi: The most common health conditions today are diabetes, but it is also frequently misunderstood. From well-wishers in the families that offer “miracle cures” to WhatsApp forwards filled with myths about diabetes, it spreads faster than sugar in a cup of hot tea. Dr Pradeep Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher & Founder of StemRx Hospital & Research Centre, debunked some of the most common myths about the chronic condition that can cause irreversible damage in the long run.
Myth 1 – Eating sugar causes diabetes. However, consuming excessive sugar/carbohydrates leads to weight gain, leading to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. Sugar by itself is not the only culprit.
Myth 2 – People with diabetes can never eat sweets. The truth is, people with diabetes can consume sweets in moderation, along with a balance in healthy eating and regular exercise. A slice of cake on a special birthday or anniversary won’t ruin your health, but consuming it daily will cause trouble.
Myth 3 – Diabetes only affects older people. Type 2 diabetes is commonly seen in adults over the age of 40, while in recent times it is being diagnosed in younger adults, teenagers, and even children as well, because of their unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity.
Myth 4 – Weight is another area surrounded by confusion. Several of us believe that people who are obese are guaranteed to get diagnosed with diabetes, which is false. While being overweight increases the risk, it is not true that those who are obese only develop this condition, while some people fall in a normal weight range and have this condition.
Myth 5 – Once treatment is completed, the individual will in the future suffer complications. However, with the necessary attention towards one’s health, a nutritious diet, physical exercise, and frequent clinic check-ups, several patients live healthy, complication-free lives.
Myth 6 – Diabetes is cured with home remedies. Currently, there is no permanent cure with conventional medicine. Individuals with type 2 diabetes can bring their blood sugar levels back to normal through disciplined changes in lifestyle, which also requires lifetime maintenance.