Type 2 Diabetes is a common illness in the United States and more than 3 million people are diagnosed each year…..including fashion models! What many people don’t know is that it is a treatable illness and there is so much to learn from and about it!
With type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it resists insulin. Some of the most common symptoms include thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. BUT in some cases, there may be no symptoms. It’s important to remember that everyone is different so make sure you see a doctor if you think you may have Type 2 Diabetes or if you are interested in learning more!
In the meantime, we wanted to debunk a few myths for you:
1. “You would know if you had type 2 diabetes.”
How exactly would you know?
2. “Only people who’re overweight or obese have type 2 diabetes”
Not accurate.
3. “Type 2 diabetes is only present in adults.”
You can be diagnosed at any age, even during childhood.
4. “Type 2 diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar.”
It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin.
5. “People with type 2 diabetes cannot have sugar.”
You just have to eat it within moderation, leading to a healthy diet.
6. “Everyone with type 2 diabetes needs to take insulin to stay healthy.”
There are oral medications that you can take, and some people can actually help with just diet and exercise.
7. “Type 1 is more common than type 2.”
Type 2 diabests is the most common, 90-90% of all diabetes cases.
8. “If you’ve been diagnosed to pre-diabetes, it will progress to type 2 diabetes.”
1/3 Americans has pre-diabetes which means blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but with help, you can make the necessary lifestyle changes.
9. “You’re only at risk if it runs in your family.”
It does increase if you have a parent or sibling who has type 2 diabetes, but you can still get it without history in the family.
10. “Type 2 diabetes isn’t that serious of an illness.”
It puts you at risk of heart disease and stroke, and also the leading cause of kidney failure.
