Diabetes mellitus myth and what you should do?

There are so many myths about diabetes mellitus, and we will discuss them one by one.

1. In diabetes Mellitus, don’t eat sugar or sweets:
   1. It doesn’t seem right that once you develop diabetes and can not eat sugar or sweets.
   2. You can eat sweets but keep in mind your meal plan.
   3. Eat a minimal amount of sweets.
   4. Fruits as sweets are an excellent alternative to chocolates, bakery products, and other varieties of sweets.
   5. According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes can still have sweets, chocolate, or other sugary foods as long they are eaten as part of a healthful meal plan or combined with exercise.
      1. Healthful meal plan: This will have limited saturated fat. Contain moderate amounts of salt and sugar.
   6. Some of the recommendations for diabetic (diabetes mellitus)  patients are:
      1. Always read the content of the sweets you are buying and check sugars and added sugars.
      2. Granola bar (no added sugar) and fresh fruits.
      3. Trail mix with nuts, seeds, roasted pepitas, and dried cranberries.
      4. Graham crackers with nut butter.
      5. Sugar-free cake.
      6. Pudding made with chia seed.
      7. Avocado made sweet with low sugar.
      8. Frozen yogurt (with plain Greek yogurt and berries).
      9.  Research has shown that starches like potatoes and white bread affect blood glucose levels much like sugar,  causing sometimes dangerous spikes in blood sugar.
         1. Oats are the best alternative to white bread or chapati.
         2. When managing diabetes, experts agree that based on current evidence, sugar-free (candy/biscuits) is a better choice than candy made with regular sugar.
         3. Eating sugar-free candy will not give glucose spikes and may satisfy your craze for sweets.
2. If I eat sugar, any chance to develop diabetes (diabetes mellitus):
   1. There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
   2. We know that sugar does not cause type 1 diabetes, nor is it caused by anything else in your lifestyle.
      1. In type 1 diabetes, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system.
   3. Sugar also does not cause type 2 diabetes. Some people eat a lot of sugar and sweets, but they don’t develop diabetes.
   4. How to manage sugar intake in diabetes mellitus:
      1. Not exceeding the maximum amount of calories per day:
         1. 2,000 calories per day for women.
         2. 2,500 calories per day for men.
         3. Reducing sugar intake to a maximum of 6 teaspoons per day (25g).
3. I have mild diabetes (diabetes mellitus):
   1. There is no such terminology; either you are diabetic or not diabetic.
   2. You may not need insulin injections in type 2 diabetes.
   3. In literature, people have used the language of mild, moderate, and severe diabetes.
   4. You may control diabetes by diet and exercise if your blood glucose does not shoot high.
4. Is diabetes mellitus is a serious disease:
   1. Diabetes is a serious disease because of its complications.
   2. Diabetes is like a rat in your house, who will destroy your wires, make the fridge nonfunctioning, and may eat clothes.

You can see this diagram where no organ is spared:

Diabetes Mellitus complications

5. Any effect of blood glucose level:
   1. Most of the time, high or low blood glucose levels don’t produce any symptoms.
   2. One hour after the meal will be the maximum level of blood glucose.
   3. Ideally, check blood glucose after 2 hours of the meal.
   4. Regular monitoring of blood glucose is the key to the better control of diabetes.
      1. It is ideal for checking the blood glucose level before going to sleep.
      2. Checking the fasting glucose level is also helpful to monitor the breakfast.

What you should do once you develop diabetes:

1. Regular checking:
   1. Regular checking of the blood glucose will keep your blood glucose level in the range.
   2. Regular checking will delay the complications.
   3. Should check blood glucose at least once daily.
   4. Advised every 3 to 6 months HbA1c.
   5. HbA1c
      

      HbA1c value	Interpretation
      4% to 5.6%	Normal
      5.7%  to  6.4%	Prediabetic
      >6.5%	Diabetes

      1. Fasting glucose level = <100 mg/dl (5.6 nmol/L) is normal.
         1. Fasting glucose level = 105 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 nmol/L) is considered prediabetic.
         2. Fasting glucose level = >126 mg/dL (>5.6 nmol/L), at two occasion is considered diabetes.
         3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371451
      2. A random blood sugar level of less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal.
      3. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after two hours indicates diabetes.
   6. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) indicates prediabetes.

Expected glucose level:

2. Eat smarter:
   1. The right diet is the tool to control your blood glucose level and weight.
   2. You need not quit your favorite diet.
   3. Please see these links, and you will get a guide on how to regulate your diet.
   4. https://labpedia.net/diabetes-mellitus-and-calculation-of-the-calories/
   5. Diet for Diabetics and Counting of The Carbohydrates (Carbs) – Labpedia.net
3. Try to lose weight if you are overweight:
   1. Obesity predisposes to diabetes.
   2. Losing weight is the essential action you can take.
   3. If you lose excess pounds of weight will help to control diabetes.
      1. At all ages, the risk of type 2 diabetes rises with increasing body weight.
      2. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is three to seven times higher in those affected by obesity than in normal-weight adults.
      3.  20 times more likely in those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m.
   4. Although there’s no cure for type 2 diabetes, studies show that some people can reverse diabetes.
      1. Diet changes and weight loss may keep your blood glucose level under control.
      2. After losing weight and the exercise, you may not need the drugs.
      3. In case you are not taking any medicine, it does not mean that your diabetes is cured.
4. Regular exercise is very important for diabetics (diabetes mellitus):
   1. Regular exercise help to control the spike of blood glucose.
   2. The exercise may be variable in intensity but need to be done regularly every day or 5 times a week.
   3. Exercise improves blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes.
      1. Exercise reduces cardiovascular risk factors.
      2. Exercise helps to reduce weight.
      3. Excercise gives a sense of well-being due to the release of endorphins.
      4. Regular exercise may delay the development of diabetes type 2 or even may prevent it.
5. Role of treatment:
   1. Once someone develops diabetes, then he/she should take medications regularly.
   2. Medications will be accompanied by diet and exercise.
      

      Diabetes Mellitus triangle