World Diabetes Day is observed on November 14. The date coincides with the birthday of the renowned physiologist Frederick Grant Banting, who, together with other scientists, discovered insulin.
Currently, the global prevalence of diabetes is very high — 8%, meaning more than 400 million people. Every year, this condition causes 1.5 million deaths. In our country, the number of people with type 2 diabetes increases by 6% each year, and according to sobering forecasts, by 2030 their number will reach 15 million. In 2015, such a diagnosis was given to 4 million Russians. According to data from the Ministry of Health, over 15 years the number of patients with this diagnosis increased by 2 million — that is 365 people per day, or 15 per hour.
Diabetes is a fairly common disease that leads to disability and mortality, alongside cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, there are still a huge number of prejudices and myths associated with diabetes.
Common Myths and Facts About Diabetes
1. Frequent consumption of sugar‑containing products leads to the development of diabetes.
2. Most people believe that the cause of the disease lies in its name. This statement is not entirely correct, since a
love of sweets does not always lead to the development of the disease.
Nevertheless, consuming foods high in sugar contributes to the development of
obesity, and such people are more susceptible to type 2 diabetes. Type 1
diabetes can develop in people with a genetic predisposition.
3. People who are obese will inevitably get the disease, while thin people are not at risk.
4. Indeed, a sedentary lifestyle and excess weight increase the risk of developing the disease, but people with a normal body type also suffer from diabetes.
Factors that contribute to the development of the disease include genetic
predisposition, age, and stress.
5. Diabetes is contagious.
6. Diabetes is not a viral or infectious disease, so it is impossible to become infected through contact with a sick person.
7. Diabetes is inherited.
8. A predisposition to diabetes is inherited, but with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, one may never develop the disease. The risk of developing type 1 diabetes when both
parents are affected is 25–30%, and 60–70% if they have type 2 diabetes. In
cases where only one parent is affected, the probability of the disease
decreases.
9. People without a genetic predisposition can also get the disease — diabetes can result from excessive consumption of fatty foods and an unhealthy lifestyle.
10. A person will realize they have diabetes because they will feel unwell.
11. Diabetes is not characterized by pronounced symptoms; in most cases, a person may be unaware of their diagnosis. Doctors strongly recommend undergoing regular
medical check‑ups and blood tests.
12. Dry mouth, frequent urination, and chronic fatigue are the main signs of diabetes. In
such cases, it is necessary to check blood sugar levels. Normal values are
3.3–5.5 mmol/L fasting and 7.8 mmol/L after a meal.
13. Diabetes will lead to disability or death.
14. Diabetes is a fairly dangerous disease and is associated with complications. Today,
thanks to advances in medicine and the availability of glucometers (modern
portable devices for measuring blood sugar), it is possible to monitor and
adjust glucose levels, thereby avoiding complications.
15. People with diabetes cannot eat sweets.
16. The daily diet of patients with type 1 diabetes is identical to that of a healthy person; the main thing is to follow the rules of insulin therapy and count calories.
17. People with type 2 diabetes need to be stricter about food — consume limited amounts of fatty foods and exclude sugar‑containing products.
18. Honey and fruits can be eaten in unlimited quantities.
19. This is a misconception — honey contains fructose, which raises blood glucose levels, and fruits contain a large amount of carbohydrates, which also provoke an increase in blood sugar.
Therefore, patients need to be more attentive to their diet.
