This is a sponsored guest post.
November is Diabetes Awareness month. Chances are, someone you know may be affected by this chronic disease.
The World Health Organisation recently released some updated statistics on diabetes. Nearly 420 million people around the world, have some form of diabetes.
In this article, we want to debunk some ‘myths’ that people have about Diabetes.
- Diabetes only affects your pancreas
Diabetes does affect the pancreas, and makes life a little more difficult. But one major overlooked impact of Diabetes is the psychological impact it places on a person.
Studies have shown people with Diabetes tend to have a greater chance of developing depression. One term that is often associated with Diabetes is called ‘diabetes distress’.
People with Diabetes are constantly worrying about the blood sugar levels, testing their blood sugar, and literally watching every piece of food you consume. Having Diabetes is a full time job, and much more goes into it then just taking insulin, or a form of oral medication.
- Only people who are overweight get Diabetes
Many people have the misconception that you get Diabetes from eating sugar, or that only overweight people get a form of diabetes. This is just not true.
Many people who are at an ideal height, and weight, exercise regularly, and eat properly, develop Diabetes. Pro athletes that play football, baseball, even operate racing cars have forms of Diabetes.
There is a strong association between type 2 diabetes and obesity, but that doesn’t mean that everyone who is diabetic is overweight or obese. Nor does it mean that everyone who is overweight or obese will develop diabetes.
You can follow your Doctor’s orders, and still develop Diabetes!
- Diabetics can’t qualify for insurance policies
Another common myth is that people with Diabetes can’t qualify for health insurance, life insurance, or even long term care insurance. To dispel some of these myths, life insurance for diabetics is obtainable, and rates are actually at all time lows for the diabetes community.
Matt Schmidt, CEO of Diabetes 365, explains as follows “ over time, health and life insurance companies have finally understood the REAL risks diabetics pose when it comes to health and life insurance. They are starting to realize that people with Diabetes DO live healthy lifestyles, and tend to take care of their bodies better than people without Diabetes. Due to this, premiums are becoming more affordable, and more product offerings are being offered to the diabetes community. One example is life insurance for type 1 diabetics. Until a few years ago, it was almost impossible to find coverage for type 1 diabetics.”
4. Diabetes is simple to manage
Many people think controlling diabetes is as simple as taking an insulin shot, or maybe changing their diet. That is not the case.
For some, especially the pre-diabetes community, may be able to avoid taking diabetes medications, but exercising regularly and making changes to the diet. But for most people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, they are going to have have a lifetime full of quarterly doctor visits, taking medications daily, and most importantly, will be checking their blood sugar levels several times per day. You can also check the trulicity price.
Sadly, even if you follow everything your Doctors tell you to do, you may still develop a form of diabetes complications. Possibly issues with eyesight, nerve issues, or even kidney issues, are common forms of diabetes complications. This is extremely frustrating, but is something in the back of minds for people with diabetes.
As you can tell, diabetes is a serious medical condition, adn isn’t one that should be taken lightly. The media, especially TV, helps spread misconceptions such as not eating candy will help me prevent from getting diabetes. Please help spread awareness not just during the month of November, but all thru the year.
