There is no such thing as "borderline diabetes" - myth or fact?
Fact - Either you have diabetes or you do not. When you hear the word ‘borderline’, it is referring to a new term, called pre-diabetes. This means that your blood sugars are higher than someone without diabetes but not as high as some one with diabetes. You may not have any signs of high sugars, such as increased thirst and urination, but it is a warning sign. You can prevent the onset of diabetes by making lifestyle changes.
Starting insulin means you have failed to take care of your diabetes properly - myth or fact?
Myth - Needing insulin does not mean that you have failed to manage your diabetes. If you have Type 2 diabetes and your blood sugars are slowly creeping up despite your best efforts, insulin may be the next step in treating your diabetes.
Since type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, over time, your pancreas is just not able to keep up with your body's need for insulin—no matter what you've done to manage your diabetes. If you have done your best to make healthy lifestyle changes and you are taking all your medications correctly and your blood sugars continue to increase, insulin is often the next logical step for treating diabetes. Eating right and regular exercise will continue to be important, but medication needs change over time.
Many people with type 2 diabetes eventually need treatment with insulin. The longer a person has type 2 diabetes, the more likely they will have to start insulin treatment at some point. Recent research shows that starting insulin early or in a timely manner means that you are less likely to experience some of the complications associated with uncontrolled blood sugars.
Taking herbal products from a Naturopath is okay since it is a natural product - myth or fact?
Myth - About 30% of people with diabetes will try some type of natural products to help manage their diabetes. Natural does not mean that they are safe. Many products have resulted in side effects and drug interactions. This is because they have not been studied or have limited clinical trial data to support their safety. Some that have been studied were found to contain contaminants. If you are planning to take a herbal remedy, make sure you check with your pharmacist or your doctor to make sure it is safe for you to take in combination with your prescribed medications.
Nandini Desai is a Registered Pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Educator at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.
For more information on diabetes, please visit the Canadian Diabetes Association website.
