November is American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month.  According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report there are nearly 30 million Americans living with diabetes. There were 1.7 million new cases in 2012 and 25% of Americans over 65 have diabetes. This disease does not discriminate; young and old, male and female, and people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds are affected by diabetes.  Most of us have a family member, friend or co-worker who is living with diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association is busting some common myths about diabetes and lifestyle management for people living with diabetes.

Myth: Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar.
Fact: Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors and type 2 diabetes is caused by lifestyle choices and genetics.

Myth: Diabetes is not a serious disease.
Fact: Diabetes is a growing epidemic that takes a physical, emotional and financial toll.

Myth: You have to lose a lot of weight for diabetes to improve.
Fact: Losing 7% of your body weight can offer significant health benefits.

Myth: People who use insulin are unsafe drivers.
Fact: Most people who use insulin can operate motor vehicles safely.

Myth: Healthy foods won't raise my blood glucose.
Fact: Eating too much of any food, even a healthy food like fruit, can lead to high blood glucose.

Myth: People with diabetes can't get tattoos.
Fact: It is considered safe as long as diabetes is well controlled.

Myth: People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.
Fact: People with diabetes are not more likely to get ill however the illness can make blood glucose difficult to control.

Myth: It's possible to have just "a little" diabetes.
Fact: Everyone who has diabetes runs the risk of serious complications.

Myth: People with diabetes can feel when their blood glucose level goes too low.
Fact: Not always, some people can't feel symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Myth: People with diabetes cannot eat sweets or chocolate.
Fact: If eaten in the correct portions as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes.

For more information on diabetes and lifestyle management visit the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.

-Julie