Diabetes Myths Debunked

If your loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, there may be several myths that you hear or have heard from others about the condition. To properly manage your loved one’s diabetes it helps to debunk some of those myths and replace them with helpful information.

The Top 5 Myths About Diabetes Debunked

Myth #1: Diabetics Can Only Eat Foods Labeled “Diabetic”

Some of the foods that are labeled as specially designed for diabetics aren’t always healthy. They can still raise blood sugar levels or they might be foods that aggravate other health conditions for your loved one. They can also be really expensive. A better alternative is to plan out a healthy eating plan full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Related Article: Diabetes Diet: Best and Worst Foods for Diabetics

Myth #2: People with Diabetes Get Sick Easier

Another common misconception is that once your loved one has diabetes, he’s likely to get sick faster or easier with other illnesses. This isn’t always true because the likelihood of contracting other illnesses is more about your loved one’s immune system. Being sick can make your loved one’s blood sugar tougher to control, though, so talk to your loved one’s doctor about techniques for blood sugar control when he’s got a cold or other illness.

Myth #3: Having to Take Insulin Means You Didn’t Manage Diabetes Well

A lot of people look at adding insulin to their diabetes management plan as a failure of some sort for not having managed their blood sugars better in the earlier stages. This isn’t true because diabetes is a progressive problem. As your loved one ages, his body naturally produces less and less insulin, regardless of how well or how poorly he managed his diabetes in the past.

Myth #4: If You’re Overweight, You’ll Definitely Develop Diabetes

Being overweight is a risk factor for a lot of different health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, but it’s no guarantee that someone will indeed suffer from those conditions. Factors such as a family history and other health issues may actually contribute more to the development of diabetes than someone’s weight.

Myth #5: Diabetes Isn’t that Big a Deal

Diabetes, even milder cases, can cause quite a few complications for people who have it. Nerve damage, a greater risk of heart disease, eye damage, kidney damage, and hearing problems are only a few of the complications that can arise from uncontrolled diabetes. It’s a condition that your loved one really needs to get a handle on as much as possible.

Contact Sonas for Home Health Care Services in Florida

Work with your loved one’s home care providers and medical team to keep his diabetes under control as much as possible.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Florida, contact the caring staff at Sonas Home Health Care. Call today (888) 592-5855.

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.