If your loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, there may be several myths that you hear or have heard from others about the condition. To properly manage your loved one’s diabetes it helps to debunk some of those myths and replace them with helpful information.
The Top 5 Myths About Diabetes Debunked
Myth #1: Diabetics Can Only Eat Foods Labeled “Diabetic”
Some of the foods that are labeled as specially designed for diabetics aren’t always healthy. They can still raise blood sugar levels or they might be foods that aggravate other health conditions for your loved one. They can also be really expensive. A better alternative is to plan out a healthy eating plan full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Related Article: Diabetes Diet: Best and Worst Foods for Diabetics
Myth #2: People with Diabetes Get Sick Easier
Another common misconception is that once your loved one has diabetes, he’s likely to get sick faster or easier with other illnesses. This isn’t always true because the likelihood of contracting other illnesses is more about your loved one’s immune system. Being sick can make your loved one’s blood sugar tougher to control, though, so talk to your loved one’s doctor about techniques for blood sugar control when he’s got a cold or other illness.
Myth #3: Having to Take Insulin Means You Didn’t Manage Diabetes Well
A lot of people look at adding insulin to their diabetes management plan as a failure of some sort for not having managed their blood sugars better in the earlier stages. This isn’t true because diabetes is a progressive problem. As your loved one ages, his body naturally produces less and less insulin, regardless of how well or how poorly he managed his diabetes in the past.
Myth #4: If You’re Overweight, You’ll Definitely Develop Diabetes
Being overweight is a risk factor for a lot of different health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, but it’s no guarantee that someone will indeed suffer from those conditions. Factors such as family history and other health issues may actually contribute more to the development of diabetes than someone’s weight.
Myth #5: Diabetes Isn’t That Big a Deal
Diabetes, even in milder cases, can cause quite a few complications for people who have it. Nerve damage, a greater risk of heart disease, eye damage, kidney damage, and hearing problems are only a few of the complications that can arise from uncontrolled diabetes. It’s a condition that your loved one really needs to get a handle on as much as possible.
Contact Care Options for Kids for Home Health Care Services
Work with your loved one’s home care providers and medical team to keep his diabetes under control as much as possible.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care, contact the caring staff at Care Options for Kids. Call today (888) 592-5855.
