Diabetes affects the young and old, rich and poor, from cultures all across the world. The World Health Organization preaches how diabetes has increasingly become a lifestyle-related disease. Awareness is an important part of the process working towards a solution to stem the growing prevalence.
Here are a few more common diabetes-related factoids. Which are true and which are simply myths?
Myth: Type 2 diabetes only occurs in adults
The truth: At one time, type 2 diabetes was called adult onset diabetes. More and more however, children are being diagnosed with type 2. This is likely as a result of poor diet and lack of exercise.
Myth: Gestational diabetes only affects pregnant women
The truth: This is absolutely true. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and goes away after pregnancy. Women who have gestational diabetes have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Myth: Diabetes is not a serious disease like cancer or heart disease.
The truth: Diabetes is very serious. It can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness or amputations. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in Canada.
No comments:
Post a Comment