Some myths about diabetes

Diabetes is caused by eating too many sweets, cakes, etc.
Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors and not from eating too sweets, cakes, etc.  Although, a high sugar diet can cause obesity which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetics are fat.
While obesity is a cause of type 2 diabetes, diabetics come in all shapes and sizes.

You can catch diabetes from someone else.
Diabetes is not contagious. There seems to a genetic link but you cannot catch it from someone.

People with type 1 diabetes can wean themselves off insulin and become type 2 diabetics.
This myth was spawned by Halle Berry but it is definitely not possible and doctors say she was simply misdiagnosed with type 1 diabetes instead type 2 to begin with.

People with diabetes can’t drive.
So long as someone has good control of their diabetes they can drive safely, however there is legislation that prevents people who treat their diabetes with insulin from driving certain vehicles but Diabetes UK is campaigning against this.

People with diabetes can't play sport.
People with diabetes can take part in sports and should exercise regularly as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Rower, Sir Steve Redgrave, has type 1 diabetes and is an Olympic gold medallist.

People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.
People with diabetes are no more likely to get a cold or another illness. However, they are advised to get flu jabs because any infection interferes with blood glucose levels and diabetics have an increased risk of flu (including swine flu) developing into pneumonia or bronchitis.

People with diabetes can't eat any sweets or chocolate.
People with diabetes can eat sweets and chocolate as part of a healthy diet just like everyone else.

People with diabetes should eat special diabetic food.
Diabetic versions of foods offer no special benefit, but food that has artificial sweeteners in rather than sugar are better.

People with diabetes have to have their injections at specific times.
Slow release insulin types, like Levemir, should be given at a specific time but there’s no need to panic if it’s a few minutes late. Fast release insulin types, like novorapid, are designed to work with food so need to be taken before meals which do not have to always be at the same time, though it is important that diabetics do not miss meals to avoid low blood sugars.

When a diabetic has low blood sugar (a hypo) it’s best that they stay home in case they fall into a diabetic coma.
This is not necessary, when a diabetic has low blood sugar it is usually because they haven’t eaten for a while or miscalculated an insulin dose, they should have a cereal bar or some glucose tablets to correct their sugar levels, then after a few minutes then should check their sugar levels and if they are ok then they can carry on their day as normal.

When a diabetic has low blood sugar (a hypo) the best thing for them to have is chocolate.
Chocolate is not recommended for a hypo at all because it releases sugars too slowly, it is far better to have glucose tablets, glucose energy drink, a small glass of regular soft drink (not diet) or glucogel to raise the blood sugar level quickly.