Misconceptions and truths about diabetes Q&A
Diabetes is no longer a mystery. It's a chronic disease that has become commonplace in our lives. Despite the fact that so many people are living with diabetes, there are still a lot of misconceptions and misinformation out there. What are some of the myths and truths about diabetes that we don't know?
According to the Korean Diabetes Association, about 30 to 70 percent of the risk of developing diabetes is determined by genetics. Children are more likely to develop diabetes if their parents have the disease. But genetics isn't everything.
Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While it is true that eating a lot of sweets can raise blood sugar, it does not cause diabetes by itself if insulin is secreted normally.
However, eating a lot of sugary foods over a long period of time can lead to obesity, which can lead to insulin resistance, which in turn increases the risk of developing diabetes. So remember, it's important to eat sweets in moderation.
There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin injections because their bodies don't produce insulin. However, people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugar with oral blood sugar-lowering medications in the early stages.
People with type 1 diabetes
If you have good blood sugar control while taking diabetes medication, you can stop taking the medication at some point. Diet and exercise are often enough to manage diabetes.
However, stopping your medication doesn't mean you're cured of diabetes - it's a chronic disease that needs to be managed. If you don't take care of it, your blood sugar can rise again at any time, so regular testing and lifestyle management are essential.
Q1. Is diabetes inherited?
This is half true and half false.According to the Korean Diabetes Association, about 30 to 70 percent of the risk of developing diabetes is determined by genetics. Children are more likely to develop diabetes if their parents have the disease. But genetics isn't everything.
Even without a family history, environmental factors - such as obesity, lack of exercise, poor diet, and medications - can play a big role in the development of diabetes. Therefore, regular blood sugar testing and lifestyle changes are key to preventing diabetes.
Q2. Do thin people not get diabetes?
No, even thin people can develop diabetes.
Many people think of diabetes as a disease that only affects obese people, but anyone can develop diabetes, regardless of weight. The reason for this is insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance is a condition in which insulin doesn't work properly in the body, and in a condition called lean obesity, you can become insulin resistant if you weigh at least as much as you do if you lack muscle mass and have a lot of body fat. In other words, even if you're thin, you're at risk for diabetes.
Many people think of diabetes as a disease that only affects obese people, but anyone can develop diabetes, regardless of weight. The reason for this is insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance is a condition in which insulin doesn't work properly in the body, and in a condition called lean obesity, you can become insulin resistant if you weigh at least as much as you do if you lack muscle mass and have a lot of body fat. In other words, even if you're thin, you're at risk for diabetes.
Q3. Does eating a lot of sweets cause diabetes?
Eating a lot of sweets does not necessarily mean you will develop diabetes.Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While it is true that eating a lot of sweets can raise blood sugar, it does not cause diabetes by itself if insulin is secreted normally.
However, eating a lot of sugary foods over a long period of time can lead to obesity, which can lead to insulin resistance, which in turn increases the risk of developing diabetes. So remember, it's important to eat sweets in moderation.
Q4. Do I have to take insulin injections if I have diabetes?
Not all people with diabetes need to take insulin injections.There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin injections because their bodies don't produce insulin. However, people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugar with oral blood sugar-lowering medications in the early stages.
People with type 1 diabetes
- If your blood sugar is not controlled by diet, exercise, or oral medication
- Have a rapid rise in blood sugar due to surgery or infection
- Have poor liver or kidney function and can't use oral medications
- Gestational diabetes requiring medication
Q5. Once I take a diabetes medication, do I have to take it for life?
Not necessarily.If you have good blood sugar control while taking diabetes medication, you can stop taking the medication at some point. Diet and exercise are often enough to manage diabetes.
However, stopping your medication doesn't mean you're cured of diabetes - it's a chronic disease that needs to be managed. If you don't take care of it, your blood sugar can rise again at any time, so regular testing and lifestyle management are essential.