There are many misconceptions out there when it comes to diabetes.
Here are just a few:
- ● Diabetes only affects people who are overweight.
- ● People who are active and healthy can’t get diabetes.
- ● If you don’t have a family history of diabetes, then you’re safe.
- ● Diabetes only occurs in adults.
- ● Diabetes is just an inconvenience and not serious.
- ● It’s your fault if you have diabetes because you’re not eating properly.
At Quest Health Solutions, one of our top priorities is diabetes education, and we are here to help set the record straight.
Diabetes Differences
First, it’s important to understand the differences in diabetes to learn what can and can’t be controlled. This understanding can help clear up some of the misconceptions.
Type 1 Diabetes
The immune system creates antibodies that destroy insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is needed for cells to take up glucose. If insulin is lacking, as is the case with Type 1, then this raises blood glucose levels and results in diabetes. A person living with type 1 diabetes requires insulin therapy because they lack the cells needed to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes CAN NOT be prevented.
Type 2 Diabetes
Considered to be the more common form of diabetes, Type 2 occurs when cells in the body become more resistant to the effects of insulin, so less glucose is taken up by the cells. This raises blood glucose. Cells in the pancreas try to produce and release more insulin to overcome this resistance. Over time, the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin and blood glucose levels remain high resulting in diabetes. Type 2 diabetes CAN be prevented.
Diabetes Risk Factors
Next, let’s take a look at the risk factors associated with diabetes to help resolve some common misconceptions and myths about diabetes. While being overweight is certainly a risk factor for developing diabetes, it’s not the only one. It is quite possible for people who are considered to be of average weight to have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes so it’s important to understand the factors that actually do put a person at risk.
- ● Family history. While your risk for diabetes increases if a parent, sibling or immediate family member has diabetes, anyone can get it regardless of history, background, ethnicity or any other factor.
- ● Age. “You can develop diabetes at any age, even during childhood. Type 2 diabetes, in particular, occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults.”1 While the risk increases with age, anyone is susceptible to developing diabetes at any stage of life. Type 1 diabetes can occur in infants and toddlers.
- ● Physical Activity. Physical inactivity can put you at a higher risk of developing diabetes, however, even athletes and those living a physically active and healthy lifestyle can develop diabetes.
- ● Weight. While being overweight does raise the risk for type 2 diabetes and other health issues, it is not the only factor. Diabetes affects people of all shapes and sizes. It does not discriminate.
- ● Diet. Food plays an important role in developing diabetes. Foods that are high in sugar, carbs and are overly processed can be a contributing factor and put people at higher risk. But if other risk factors are present even the healthiest eater can develop symptoms.
- ● Current Health Situation. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are both linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Both can be caused by diet, heredity or a host of other factors and should not necessarily be misconstrued with being unhealthy.
Diabetes Numbers
Here are a few facts and figures to help dispute the common misconceptions about type 1 and type 2 diabetes even further and to show its impact around the world. Diabetes is a serious disease and should be taken seriously.2,3
- ● There are 463 million adults (20-49) living with diabetes worldwide and that number is expected to increase to 700 million by 2045.
- ● In 2019, diabetes caused 4.2 million deaths globally. It’s the 7th leading cause of death in the US.
- ● One in 5 people aged 65 and over have diabetes.
- ● More than 1.1 million children and adolescents are living with Type 1 diabetes.
- ● 374 million people are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
- ● Diabetes cost approximately USD 760 billion dollars in healthcare expenditures.
Diabetes Resources
At Quest Health Solutions, our mission is to create awareness, clarify misconceptions, provide support and education to our patients and healthcare providers. By working together, we can all spread the message clearly and accurately. Whether you are a patient, healthcare provider, diabetic educator or a loved one looking for more information, we are here to support you. To learn more, contact us 1-800-993-9996, email ben@questhealthsolutions.com or schedule an appointment today. In the meantime, please continue to check our blog for more information and let us know about any topics you would like to learn more about in the future.
1. (2017) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Type 2 Diabetes. Available at Click Here accessed on 12 July 2022.
2. (2020) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at Click Here Accessed on 13 July 2022.
3. (2020) International Diabetes Federations. About Diabetes. Available at Click Here Accessed on 13 July 2022.