Diabetes Mellitus and Misconceptions

Diabetes Mellitus (DM)

• There are so many misconceptions about diabetes mellitus. We will discuss each of these misconceptions.

Do people claim that diabetes mellitus can be cured?

So many people claim that they have some medications that will cure diabetes mellitus. I have personnel experienced that a person who came to me asked to check their blood sugar, and after his treatment, blood sugar will become normal, and urine glucose will be absent. After his treatment, urine sugar was absent, but blood sugar was abnormal. When I did his renal functions, those were abnormal. So, his medication was damaging the kidneys. Net shell, there is no cure once someone gets diabetes mellitus.

• You can control DM by a change in lifestyle and medications.

In the case of DM, no sugary foods, including fruits, should not be taken?

This is the wrong concept. You can eat fruits, desserts, and even ice cream. Only you have to maintain the balance of calorie intake. Sweets should be taken in small quantities. You should avoid raw sugar and, if possible, take tea without sugar. Once you develop the habit of drinking tea/coffee without sugar, then, later on, you can not tolerate sugar in tea/coffee. You will love to take tea/coffee without sugar.

Fruits are good sources of fiber, and fruits have natural sugars. In case your blood glucose is high, look for other possible sources instead of fruits. Fruits have little sugar as compared to cakes, pastries, and candies.

Diabetes mellitus is not a serious disease?

It is, again, the wrong concept. Once you have DM, you will get complications that depend upon your DM’s control. DM is like a rat in the house. The rat will destroy so many good things in your home. Similarly, DM will damage your different organs. So you have to keep an eye on your kidneys, eyes, and heart.

There will be changes in the eyes, microalbuminuria, and may involve coronary arteries.

Diabetes Mellitus complications

I have mild diabetes mellitus. Do you have or do not have it?

There is no such terminology as mild diabetes mellitus. Either you have DM or don’t. There is no grade of DM. Once someone gets DM, then he is a patient of DM. Now, he should take all possible precautions and get treatment from a physician. You can delay the complications of DM. By strict control of diet and exercise, you may avoid medicines for some time. Ultimately, medications will be needed.

Do patients say they have no symptoms of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia?

There is no such S/S except when there is severe hypoglycemia. In the case of hyperglycemia, most patients have no alarming S/S. The body can tolerate a range of blood glucose levels. The best option is to monitor your blood glucose level regularly.

There is no history of diabetes mellitus in my family?

No doubt DM spreads in the families. If one of the parents has DM, 25% of the siblings may get DM; if both have DM, 50% of the siblings will get DM. But there is no exception that siblings will not get DM if there is no family history.

• One will make history and may get DM.

Will insulin increase my diabetes mellitus?

This is also the wrong concept that insulin will increase glucose (DM). Insulin will be the choice of treatment in case of uncontrolled DM.

• Insulin is the drug of choice in Type 1 DM.

Does sugar-free food good for diabetes mellitus?

In the market, you can find sugar-free candies, chocolates, biscuits, and sweets. But they do not tell about their fatty contents and other ingredients. These are loaded with saturated fats and calories. There may be sweeteners, which mostly have a laxative effect.

• Mostly, these products are costly.
• It is better to take a small amount of the standard preparation.

Only aged people get DM?

This is, again, the wrong concept. People may get DM in adult life, and even children may get type 2 DM.

Is obesity also linked with DM?

This is, again, the wrong concept. Obese people may not get DM because DM is related to genetics, age, and other factors.

Is DM a contagious disease?

This is another misconception that DM is a contagious disease. It can not spread through touching, coughing, or other close contact.

Regular check-up of DM is not necessary?

It is also the wrong concept; a regular check-up by the physicians is very important. A regular check-up will keep you aware of your DM status.

You should regularly check your glucose and HbA1c after every 3 to 6 months. Try to keep HbA1c in the range.

• In case of no diabetes = 5.6% or less
• Prediabetic                   = 5.7% to 6.4%
• Diabetics                       = 6.5% or more
• For Diabetic patients, try to keep HbA1c <7 %; that is the excellent control.