Diabetes: Different Types & Common Myths

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly utilize insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is required to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. While nobody knows for sure what causes diabetes, research does show that genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise play roles.
In order to determine if a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). The ADA recommends the FPG because it is easier, faster, and less expensive to perform. If the results of a FPG show a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl then this signals pre-diabetes. A fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher indicates diabetes.
In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage. If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl, the person tested has pre-diabetes. If the two-hour blood glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has diabetes.
There are also several types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, gestational, and pre-diabetes.
Type 1: the body does not at all produce insulin.
Type 2: the body does produce insulin, but either it is not enough insulin or the body cannot use it properly.
Gestational: this affects about 4% of pregnant women; abnormal glucose levels result from hormonal changes in pregnancy
Pre-diabetes: this occurs when the person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, here are ten myths to be aware of:
Myth #1 You can catch diabetes from someone else (since there are no viruses/bacteria involved, it cannot be "spread")
Myth #2 People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate (as long as the diabetes is under control, then it cannot hurt in moderation)
Myth #3 Eating too much sugar causes diabetes (there is a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors involved such as obesity)
Myth #4 People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods (healthy eating habits for diabetics are the same for everyone)
Myth #5 If you have diabetes, you should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes and pasta (portion size is what's important)
Myth #6 People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses (if the diabetes is well-controlled, then there is nothing to worry about)
Myth #7 Insulin causes atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure (no strong scientific evidence supports this)
Myth #8 Insulin causes weight gain, and because obesity is bad for you, insulin should not be taken (scientific evidence shows that benefits outweigh the risks)
Myth #9 Fruit is a healthy food. Therefore, it is ok to eat as much of it as you wish (a dietician can tell someone the amount, frequency, and types of fruits to eat)
Myth #10 You don't need to change your diabetes regimen unless your A1C is greater than 8 percent (the ideal range is less than 7 percent)
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