More than 10% of Americans ó 34.2 million ó have diabetes. Out of the 34.2 million, about 90% to 95% have Type 2 diabetes and nearly 1.6 million have T1D (Type 1 diabetes).The above statistics are from the 2020 National Diabetes Statistics Report, cited on the American Diabetes Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites.According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, T1D is an autoimmune sudden-onset disease that strikes both children and adults ó the body just stops making insulin. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle, nothing can be done to prevent it and there is no cure. Insulin must be taken daily.The ADA states that Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and occurs when the body doesn’t use insulin properly and cannot regulate blood sugar levels. While some people can control their blood sugar levels with healthy eating and exercise, others might need medication or insulin to manage it.Dana Slack, development manager with the Mountain West Chapter of the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, said the biggest public misconception about diabetes is that it is just one disease. But the two diseases are vastly different: one is an autoimmune disease and the other is a metabolic disorder.She said it is common for people to believe foods like cinnamon or celery water, for example, can cure Type 1 diabetes, but there is nothing a person can do to get their pancreas to start working again.Another misconception is thinking T1D is caused from eating too much sugar. ìThis is not true, and we canít stress enough that there is nothing they did or ate to get diabetes (Type 1),î Slack said.Slack said the perception that people are responsible for getting diabetes because of diet, lack of exercise or weight, etc., is harmful. She said it is especially hard for the kids she works with when they hear jokes or jabs about diabetes on social media and television, especially when their friends make fun of them, too. ìSaturday Night Live, in particular, makes a lot of jokes about diabetes that are hurtful and untrue,î she said.She also said the news often reports that Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or reversed, but there are other factors related to Type 2; itís not just all lifestyle and diet. Slack said this misconception also interferes with doctors making appropriate diagnosis; many kids and youth are initially diagnosed with Type 2, because of their age, weight, lack of family history and other factors ó when they might have T1D.While there is some truth that Type 2 can be prevented or reversed, there is a huge genetic component that goes with Type 2 more so than Type 1. ìWeíre finding that only 10% of people with T1D have a family history of diabetes,î Slack said. ìI know people who are 35, very fit, very active people and they still have Type 2 diabetes; their parents had it, and itís genetic.îIn the article, ìMyths about diabetes,î from the American Diabetes Association website, several questions and answers are discussed particularly about Type 2 diabetes.If youíre overweight, will you develop Type 2 diabetes? Being overweight is a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes, but other risk factors such as level of physical activity, family history, ethnicity and age also play a role.Do sugary drinks cause diabetes? Research has shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to Type 2 diabetes, but not to T1D.Do people with diabetes need to eat special foods? No, they donít need special food.†In general, a healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as healthy eating for anyone.†Do people with diabetes need to avoid carbs, sweets or chocolate? People with diabetes do not need to completely avoid carbs or sweets if eaten as part of a healthy meal plan. These foods do raise blood sugars, so insulin will be needed for T1D.Can you catch diabetes from someone else? No, although we don’t know exactly why some people develop diabetes and others donít, we know diabetes is not contagious.If you have Type 2 diabetes and need to start using insulin, does it mean you’re failing to take care of your diabetes properly? Using insulin to get blood glucose levels to a healthy level is a good thing, not a bad one; for most Type 2 diabetics, the disease is progressive and may require insulin at some point.Slack said, ìPeople with diabetes can never take a break from it. Itís one thing to intellectually understand that and another to live it. They have to think of it every day, on vacation and holidays, during a pandemic and before they go to sleep.î She said it is important for people to know the facts and get their information from reputable sites like ADA, CDC or JDRF to be supportive of those with the disease.
