Diabetes Mellitus and Misconceptions

Diabetes Mellitus (DM)

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

The people claim that diabetes mellitus can be cured?

So many people claim that they have some medications it 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 should be taken?

This is the wrong concept. You can eat fruits, deserts, 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.

Diabetes mellitus is not a serious disease?

It is again the wrong concept. Once you have DM, you will get its 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 and microalbuminuria and may involve coronary arteries.

Diabetes Mellitus complications

I have mild diabetes mellitus?

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 by 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, 75% changes in the siblings, and if both have DM, 50% of siblings will get DM. But there is no exception that siblings will not get DM if there is no family history. One will make the history and may get DM.

The insulin increased my diabetes mellitus:

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

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 up on your glucose and HbA1c after every 3 to 6 months. Try to keep HbA1c in the range.