Diabetes Facts and Myths

Health experts consider diabetes a “growing global epidemic” as the number of people contracting the disease continues to rise.  Based on a 2014 report by the World Health Organization (WHO),  the global prevalence of diabetes was estimated to be nine percent among adults aged 18 years above.  In 2012, diabetes  was directly accounted for an estimated 1.5 million deaths, more than 80 percent of which  occurred in low and middle income countries. The WHO projects that diabetes will be the 7^th leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.

The number of Filipino diabetics also continues to rise.  The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology considers the country as “one of the world’s emerging diabetes hotspots.” The group states  that there were 3.4 million reported diabetes cases in the country in 2010, representing a prevalence rate of 7.7 percent. The WHO predicts that by 2030  the prevalence rate will rise to 8.9 percent, equivalent to 6.16 million cases. 

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease caused by the inability of the  pancreas to produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (Type 2 diabetes) that leads to increased concentration of glucose in the blood or hyperglycemia that could result to complications like nerve damage, stroke, heart and blood vessel disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputation of limbs in the long run.

To further understand  and discern the misconceptions from truths about the life-threatening  disease, Philippine Rotary consulted Diabetologist Dr. Nick  Villatuya, founder of the Diabetes Education Assistance and Research Foundation Philippines and Past President of Philippine Diabetes Association-Pasig Chapter.  The diabetes expert was  a past president of the Rotary Club of Alabang. 

Diabetes can be cured.    

MYTH

Dr. Nick Villatuya

Some people believe and claim that diabetes can be cured. But Dr. Villatuya, who has been treating diabetic patients for more than two decades, chucks out that belief, citing the statement of  Dr. Elliott Proctor Joslin, the first doctor in the United States to specialize in diabetes and founder of Joslin Diabetes Center, “Once a diabetic, always a diabetic.”  “Though there are available medications such as tablets and insulin injections to help patients control the disease, I do not believe that a cure will come in the near future.  Prevention can be done,  but to reverse it once contracted, we do not have the capability,” he said.

Despite the fact that diabetes is a life-long disease, Dr. Villatuya emphasizes that diabetics, with proper health care, can live a long and productive life. “Diabetes should not shorten a person’s life since it can be controlled.”

Eating too much sugar can lead to diabetes.

MYTH

Diabetes is a genetic disorder. If  it does not run in the family, one has almost zero chance of developing it even if one has a sweet tooth. “If you are not predisposed to diabetes, no matter how much sugar you take, you will not be a diabetic. You may become fat, but you will not become diabetic because of the sugar itself,” said Dr. Villatuya.   “According to one author,  ’Genetics loads the cannon, but the environment fires it.’  You could be genetically predisposed but if you are not overweight and do not eat too much unhealthy food, you will not develop diabetes. However, if you have that in your system and once you get it, there is no turning back,” he said.

However, the diabetologist stated that though an individual does not have a history of diabetes in his/her  family, he/she could get the disease if his/her pancreas gets damaged through injury or inflammation  known as pancreatitis.

Dr. Villatuya also noted that obese individuals have a higher risk of developing the disease because the excessive fats in their body cause insulin resistance.

Older people have a higher risk of developing diabetes. 

MYTH

The elderly may notice a rise in their blood sugar levels through a blood test, but that does not necessarily mean they have diabetes. “Those who are in the age of 60 and above have higher blood sugar elevations compared to people of younger  age generally due to inactivity and development of excess fat. But that may not be categorized under diabetes.  The more precise statement is that seniors have a higher risk of developing ‘glucose intolerance,’”  Dr. Villatuya advised.

Diabetes affects sexual performance. 

FACT

Someone who has been diabetic for a long time most likely suffers from diabetic neuropathy which is damage of the body’s nerves due to high blood sugar. It also affects the nerves that are involved in sexual performance. Dr. Villatuya also added that there are  other factors such as psychological problems and medications for other illnesses that can negatively affect the libido.

Diabetics should avoid engaging in exercises

MYTH

Diabetes should not halt patients from participating in physical activities according to Dr. Villatuya.  “Diabetics  can live normal lives. They can participate in physical activities, unless they have complications from neuropathy.  They should exercise because one way to decrease insulin resistance is through physical activity. “ He recommends joint-friendly exercises such as walking, swimming and aerobics.

Women with diabetes should not get pregnant.  

MYTH

Diabetic women can still give birth to a healthy baby, but there are risks. “They can be pregnant but they should receive excellent care and treatment,” said Dr. Villatuya. “She has to control her sugar level  to protect her baby and doctors must see to it that the medication will not  affect the baby inside the womb of the mother.  That is why the type of medication given to the mother is in the form of injectables instead of tablets.” 

Dr. Villatuya also explained that a pregnant woman who never had diabetes before can have  high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, a condition called gestational diabetes. Experts believe that this is caused by the hormones from  the placenta which supports the development of the baby,  and that makes the mother’s body less responsive to insulin.This makes the pancreas to work double time in secreting more insulin and if it can’t keep up with the increased insulin demand, blood glucose levels become too high, which can harm the health of the mother and her baby.

Diabetics have low resistance against diseases 

FACT

Diabetes, if not controlled, could weaken the body’s immune system. “If the blood sugar of a diabetic is not controlled, he/she may be prone to illnesses like infections in the wounds, tuberculosis, eye disease (retina), kidney diseases, neuropathy and heart disease.”

He added that according to the  American Heart Association, recent findings stated and concluded that having diabetes is equivalent to having a coronary heart disease. “Diabetes damages the body’s system and makes blood vessels get clogged easily. That is why diabetics should really be watchful of their health.”