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Do you think that
your sugar is just a little high, so you don’t have to worry about
your diagnosis of diabetes, or do you tell others you have a “touch
of sugar?” Do you think you got diabetes from eating too much sugar?
Now that you know you have diabetes, do you have to give up sugar
completely and go on a diabetic diet? Do all persons with diabetes
need insulin injections? Do they hurt? Does insulin make you
impotent?
These are just a few
of the myths, misconceptions and FAQ’s about diabetes you will hear
when you bring up the topic of diabetes. Not everyone who is obese
will get diabetes, not everyone who has a parent with diabetes will
get it, too and if you have diabetes, you have it. There is no such
thing as a touch of diabetes or a little diabetes. Sometimes cases
are easier to manage than others, but those people still have
diabetes and always will. As of now there is no cure for diabetes,
only treatment plans.
Information about
diabetes is readily available; you can find hundreds of articles
about diabetes education online. In addition to articles there are
associations, organizations, medical sites and blogs that offer
facts, figures, diet plans, exercise suggestions, information on
where to find financial aid and a shoulder to cry or lean on when
times get tough.
Diabetes education
starts at your doctor’s office or health care facility; first with
the questions you have for your doctor. You should be given
pamphlets and suggestions for reading, referrals to a diabetes
counselor or dietician, information about support groups or meetings
and where to go online to find out more.
The more information
you have about diabetes, the better equipped you are to handle it.
Diabetes education becomes your responsibility along with your
diagnosis. Many of the so-called facts you have heard about diabetes
are myths or misconceptions and you should do everything in your
power to make sure you know which ones are true and which are false.
Think about it; are you willing to give up chocolate if you don’t
have to?
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