Myths to Stop Believing for Conquering Diabetes

blog
Nov 14, 2022
expertexpertexpert

The number of diabetes cases have risen in the last few years thanks to sedentary lifestyles, consumption of fast food, and other modern-day habits. Despite its prevalence, there is a lot of misinformation surrounding this health condition. This World Diabetes Day, let's bust some common myths surrounding diabetes to help diabetic people lead a happy and safe life.

World Diabetes Day

Observed on 14th November since 1991, World Diabetes Day marks the birth of Canadian Scientist Sir Frederick Banting, who contributed to the discovery of insulin. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) have dedicated this day to spreading awareness about this lifestyle disease. The theme for this World Diabetes Day is 'Access to Diabetic Care: If Not Now, When?'.

Common Diabetes Myths

You may routinely read or hear things about diabetes that may not necessarily be true. Here are some myths that need debunking.

Artificial sweeteners are safe

The market is flooded with artificial sweeteners, said to serve as a safer substitute for refined sugar. While artificial sweeteners do not cause a significant sugar spike, they do contain sugar alcohol components known to worsen insulin resistance. Such sweeteners also contain harmful ingredients that prove detrimental in the long run.

Sugar is entirely off-limits

Most newly diabetes patients believe that they have to eliminate sugar from their diet altogether. However, little sugar is necessary as it keeps your glucose levels in check and prevents you from fainting due to low sugar. If you maintain a healthy diet, you can occasionally indulge in sweets.

Only older adults get diabetes:

Age has nothing to do with diabetes. While type 2 diabetes is more common among people aged 45 and above, infants and young adults can also be diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes due to factors like genetics, lifestyle habits etc. If you have a family history of diabetes, you should take active measures to prevent its onset.

Living with diabetes is difficult

You can lead a wholesome, healthy life despite your diabetes diagnosis. Today, you can use portable glucose monitoring devices to check your sugar levels anytime. As a Type 1 diabetic, you can use numbing devices to eliminate the pain of insulin injections. If you are travelling, you can carry your insulin injections in cold packs. Plus, you can download several apps to manage your diet as a diabetic person.

Being diabetic makes you less active

Diabetes indeed compromises your ability to participate in high-impact sports. However, it does not completely restrict you from being active. In fact, regular exercise helps you maintain your glucose levels. You may also indulge in other light athletic activities with proper precautions.

Treat Diabetes With Health Insurance

A diabetes diagnosis makes you vulnerable to other health conditions, which can prove expensive. It thus helps to invest in health insurance. Even if you have diabetes, insurers typically provide health insurance policies for pre-existing diseases. These policies cost more and come with longer waiting periods, but they reduce your expenses in the long term.

This World Diabetes Day, safeguard your physical and financial health by investing in health insurance.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

Recent Blogs

Health Insurance

6 Healthy Habits For Families

The key to long-term health is to get the entire family involved. Right from making healthy food choices to leading an active lifestyle – incorporating healthy habits in your daily lifestyle can be simple and practical when everyone in the family is working towards the same health goals. Over here we discuss 6 healthy habits for families. You can add these habits into your daily routine to ensure your family’s good health. 6 Healthy Habits for Families Eating a healthy diet, together as a family The easiest of all family eating habits to cultivate is eating together. In today’s hectic world, eating together may be a challenge, but it’s worth making the efforts. There are several benefits of eating together. Eating together will help everyone in your family stick to scheduled meal times. Combine this habit with a healthy diet. Make a variety of healthy food choices, preferably food made at home so that family members, especially children do not look for junk food. Make meal prep a fun activity For family health benefits, it is essential to lead by example.Make healthy food choices so that your children can follow suit. A great way to promote healthy eating habits is to invite your children to be part of the cooking process. Help them choose the recipe and shop the ingredients. This will go a long way in inculcating healthy food choices in children. Have no-phone zones Apart from instilling good and healthy family habits and practices with regards to meals, it helps to turn meal hours into exclusive family hours with no interruptions. Having no phone zones at the dinner table and in the bedroom can encourage your family members to get moving and spend less time sitting. Encourage your kids to play outside. Planning fun activities like play board games and treasure hunts with your children can prove to be highly rewarding. Be more active as a family Staying active as a family doesn’t have to be boring! You can let every family member choose one activity for every week. From taking strolls to doing yoga together, from biking to swimming, many fun-filled activities can help you and your family burn some calories, relieve stress, while forming healthy family habits and practices. Practice hand hygiene As a family, make sure everyone follows hand hygiene. Wash hands after going to the restroom, before preparing food, after touching a pet, changing a diaper, blowing your nose, coughing, or handling garbage. You can also make a 20-second song so that children thoroughly wash their hands. Do not skip medical tests The importance of keeping track of your health cannot be emphasised enough. By undergoing regular medical check-ups you can help your family make informed health care decisions. It can help you catch health problems in the early stages and make lifestyle changes accordingly. Do include dental and eye checkup for yourself and your children in the annual medical checkup. To reap family health benefits, it’s important to take the right precautions, at the right time and make the right changes to avoid the most common health illnesses Why is family insurance a must? Illnesses don’t come knocking on the door. So, it only makes sense to have a backup plan in case you or your family member falls sick or needs hospitalisation in case of an accident or a health condition. With medical expenses skyrocketing, a health insurance policy is the best protection cover for a family. A comprehensive health insurance plan will give you that peace of mind regarding your family’s health and your financial well-being. Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

Health Insurance

10 Worst Diseases That Smoking Can Cause

Smoking causes diseases but it is one of the most preventable causes of death worldwide. Every puff of a cigarette exposes the body to many harmful chemicals which can cause serious health problems. As awareness of these risks increases, so does the importance of having a reliable health insurance plan to help manage the financial burdens associated with these diseases.

Health Insurance

12 Foods With More Vitamin C Than Oranges

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, vitamin C is crucial for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. It aids in the formation of collagen, absorption of iron, and the proper functioning of the immune system.

Health Insurance

20 Foods High in Vitamin A: A Guide to Boosting Health Through Diet

Vitamin A is a vital nutrient that plays a key role in maintaining overall health, supporting vision, immune function, skin health, and more. As a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin A exists in two main forms: retinoids (found in animal products) and carotenoids (found in plant-based foods). Retinoids are readily usable by the body, while carotenoids must be converted into the active form of vitamin A.