Diabetes is a common medical condition that affects a large number of people. This is a disease that can go on to impact your life, the activities you undertake everyday and the quality of life in a big way. Diabetes is a very common problem that causes the blood sugar levels or glucose to increase in the body higher than the normal range. This is also known as hyperglycemia. Type 2 is one of the most common forms of diabetes that affects a number of people.

If you are suffering from type 2 diabetes, it means that your body does not utilize the insulin correctly. This phenomenon is known as insulin resistance. At start the pancreas secrete excess insulin to make up for the reduced levels of insulin, but over a long period of time the pancreas are unable to keep up with the insulin requirements of the body to keep the blood glucose levels within the normal range.

Myths vs. Facts on Type 2 Diabetes

Over 10 percent of Americans today are affected by Type 2 diabetes. However, there is a lot of ambiguity and misleading information that is always floating around regarding this medical condition. Here are some of the most common myths debunked right here:

Diabetes is not a condition with serious implications

That is absolutely a myth or let’s says a fact that people want to evade. Diabetes is a medical condition that when left untreated can take a toll on a person’s health and can result in a number of secondary health conditions. Every two out of three people are likely to die from cardiac issues that arise out of diabetes. Diabetes is a very chronic disease which under no circumstances should be taken lightly. Diabetes can also put you at high risk of diseases like a heart attack and a stroke. However, with timely intervention, medical assistance and appropriate lifestyle changes the condition can be controlled to a large extent.

Those who are overweight automatically get type 2 diabetes

One of the major risk factors that is associated with type 2 diabetes is uncontrolled weight or being overweight. However this is just one of the many risks that are associated with this condition and not the only risk. Other factors that could cause type 2 diabetes in a person include family history of diabetes, high blood pressure or leading an inactive life.

Workout for diabetic people increases the chances of low sugar

Workout and exercise is not an option but is a necessary way of life for almost all of us. Just because you are suffering from diabetes does not leave you with the option of skipping your workouts. Exercise is a very important factor in regulating blood sugar levels in the body. Those who are dependent on insulin or other medicines for diabetes, regular exercise helps the body create more insulin by making the pancreas work harder. Of course exercise should be in moderation and should be balanced with a good diet and appropriate medications.

Insulin harms the body in the long run

For the extreme diabetics, insulin is a lifesaving option. Insulin is what helps in generating energy in the body. Because some people’s body does not produce adequate insulin they need to seek additional insulin from medicines and through injecting insulin in the body. Insulin doses available these days allow one to alter the doses depending upon their condition and can also reduce the risk of low or high blood sugar levels. It is completely upon your condition that your insulin doses will be managed. New and improved insulin allows for much tighter blood sugar control with lower risk of low or high blood sugar. Testing your blood sugar levels, however, is the only way to know how your treatment plan is working for you.

Having diabetes indicates that your body produces no insulin

People suffering from diabetes type 2 in the start have enough insulin in the body. The only cause of concern is that the insulin does not get utilized by the body properly which results in excess sugar in the blood stream. The body cells are unable to properly absorb the glucose from the food, In the long run since the pancreas is unable to produce adequate insulin, they could require support from insulin injections.

Pre diabetics often are in the insulin resistant zone of diabetes

In case of pre diabetic people the sugars are unable to move around freely to the body cells from the blood stream. Hence with time the pancreas fails to generate adequate amount of insulin to keep the sugar levels normal. This is what causes a patient to move from the pre diabetic condition to a type 2 diabetes condition.

Diabetes injections are painful

Insulin is one of the inject able forms of medications required for the diabetic patients. In diabetes a patient is required to inject himself with specified units of insulin. With the ease of insulin pens that are available these days, it is hardly a hassle and can be easily administered by oneself.

My body symptoms tell me when my sugar is high or low and I don't need monitoring

A general feeling of low sugar can occur to almost anybody, even a person who does not have diabetes in the first place. Hence, it is not correct to only rely on your body symptoms to know when your sugar is low or high. Other reasons like cold or flu can also leave you with symptoms like dizziness, trembling, lightheadedness which are very similar to low sugar symptoms. Besides if you want to start on an appropriate treatment in the first place you would have to write down your sugar reading at different intervals as suggested by the endocrinologist near you. Long term symptoms of diabetes become very regular and can often be missed or misinterpreted. The only test that can help in confirming your condition is by checking your blood sugar levels on the monitor.

People with diabetes need to completely stop eating sweets.

Sweets are considered to be enemies of diabetic patients. Well, an overdose of anything is bad for health but as long as things are in a moderate level there isn't a big problem. Hence, a diabetic patient can eat sweets but it should not be excess and should fit into their normal meal and exercise plan. It is important to keep the portion size small and restricted. When sweets are eaten with other foods they can slow down the digestion process and thereby will slowly get absorbed in to the body. High amounts of sugar in drinks and desserts when eaten separately as a whole meal can be more troublesome since the entire sugar is absorbed by the body immediately that can trigger an immediate sugar spike.

Managing Type 2 Diabetes with Diet

Food and diet is an important constituent for managing a number of medical and health conditions. Eating right helps you keep the sugar levels in the normal range. Certain kinds of foods are a must for diabetic patients due to their nutritional content. Here are few foods that should be a part of a diabetic patient:

•  Proteins: Fish or turkey that is lean forms of protein work great in a diabetic body since they are very low on the fat content. For vegetarians and vegans, the proteins found in beans and legumes are the best way to load up your body with the proteins. In a protein rich diet, patients must certainly avoid processed forms of meat that are loaded with sodium and can give rise to other secondary problems like high blood pressure.

•  Grains: Grains are an important source of fibre in the body. Make sure you choose whole grains like rice, quinoa that are loaded with health and digestive benefits. Whole grains also contain adequate vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Refined white flour is the worst form of grain that a diabetic patient should consume.  Processed foods like pasta, white bread and some breakfast cereals are made of refined white flour which the diabetic patients should certainly avoid.

•  Dairy: With about 6 to 8 grams of carbohydrates in a serving, non fat greek yogurt is the most healthy option that any diabetic patient can easily incorporate in his meal plan. You can add flavors if you don't like it plain and replace this for your dips. Diabetic patients should refrain from full cream and full fat dairy products that are found in the market.

•  Vegetables: Diabetic patients should strictly avoid starchy vegetables and stick to greens like leafy vegetables, cabbage, broccoli, and so on.

•  Fruits: A number of people believe diabetic patients should not consume fruits due to the sweet content in them. However, fruits are the best way for a diabetic patient to satisfy his sweet cravings.