Facts & Myths To Know for American Diabetes Month

In observance of American Diabetes Month this November, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine felt now would be a great time to discuss this all too common health condition and the role it plays in our lives.

Diabetes can affect people of all ages, but most often develops once someone is already in their adult years. This is known as type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which people are born with. With this in mind, it’s more important than ever for people to understand type 2 diabetes and take proactive steps to prevent it before it occurs. This is why our healthcare experts wanted to discuss diabetes by presenting a few facts and myths about the condition and its effects.

Prediabetes Will Always Develop Into Type-2 Diabetes

This is not always true. It is in fact possible to reverse prediabetes with certain healthy lifestyle adjustments. When the body’s natural glucose levels are lowered, the demand for insulin will also decrease. This can put prediabetes into remission or even reverse the condition entirely. This is why it’s so important for people with prediabetes to not get discouraged and do what it takes to eat right, limit sugars, exercise daily, and always drink plenty of water each day.

People With Diabetes Will Need To Only Eat Certain Special Foods

This is false. A healthy diet for people with diabetes is generally very similar to any other healthy diet. High in fresh fruits and non-starchy vegetables, low in sugars and processed fatty foods. Even with diabetes, you can still enjoy foods with carbs or unnatural sugars, it’s just about moderation and portion control when you do.

Injectable GLP-1 Medications Are The Best Treatment Method for Diabetes

This depends. In recent years, injectable GLP-1 medications generically known as Semaglutide have become very relevant for their ability to aid in weight loss. But these meds were first primarily used as a way to treat people with type 2 diabetes.

While it’s a fact that these medications can effectively help manage and lower blood sugar (glucose) levels, we can’t say that they are definitely the best treatment option without knowing the exact specifics of each person’s unique case. Some patients may be better off with glucose-lowering medications generically known as Metformin. We always make sure to thoroughly discuss every available option when making diabetes treatment recommendations for our patients.

Knowledge Is Power In The Fight Against Diabetes

The more someone knows about diabetes, the better prepared they will be to prevent it or successfully manage it in the case of a diagnosis. We strongly recommend discussing this subject at your next annual check-up appointment to clearly understand what more you can do to promote a healthy lifestyle in the spirit of prevention and long-term wellness.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our family medicine healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.