We are waking up to a new epidemic and have started to feel the heat of lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.The greatest hindrance in the control of diabetes is lack of knowledge of the disease.
Let’s have a look at the common misconceptions and myths surrounding Diabetes:
- Myth: Ayurvedic medicines are best for treating diabetes.
Fact: Ayurvedic medicines can be taken along with allopathic medicines under guidance of doctor; Ayurvedic medicines alone are not always helpful.
- Myth: Diabetes can be cured by medicines.
Fact: Diabetes is a progressive disease. It can only be controlled with help of medicines, exercise and healthy diet. It cannot be cured.
- Myth: Medicines affect the kidneys and such people may require dialysis.
Fact: All medicines (allopathic, Ayurvedic, herbal) can affect the kidneys or other vital organs of the body to some extent if not taken under the supervision of a doctor. The effect of uncontrolled diabetes not only damages the kidney permanently but may also lead to dialysis. Conclusion is that the benefits of medicines far overweigh the risks.
- Myth: If I eat less, my blood sugar will be controlled.
Fact: The BS will definitely be low if you eat less but the weakness which follows will hamper your daily activities or it may lead to hypoglycemia (low BS) and unconsciousness.
- Myth: Once the blood sugar is normal; one can start eating everything.
Fact: Blood sugar depends on the type of food eaten, the amount of physical activity (exercise) and the stress levels; which keep on changing daily. So if a person starts eating everything after the blood sugar is normal, his levels are definitely going to increase.
- Myth: There is an alternative to insulin in the form of tablets.
Fact: No. Insulin is not available in tablet form and is only available as injection. Insulin injection is administered subcutaneously (under the skin), which makes it virtually painless.
Diabetes is surely taking the younger generation by storm and it is very important to take precautionary steps like exercising, meditation, yoga and swimming to de-stress and couple it with good eating habits.
As for Diabetes, precaution is better than cure.
The article has been contributed by:
Dr. Bensley L. Gonsalves, MBBS, D. Diab, C. Diab, Diabetologist, Bliss Diabetes Centre, Vasai
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