​​​November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to share information about prevention and supports. To start the month off, check your knowledge below with 10 common myths about type 2 diabetes.

Myth: I should only get checked for diabetes if I have symptoms.
Truth: Many people with diabetes don't have symptoms. Catching diabetes early can prevent damage from high blood sugars. Getting checked regularly is the best first step for protection.

Myth: You can't have any sugar with diabetes.
Truth: All foods can be part of a balanced diet. How much, and how often, you have certain foods depends on your overall diet and your blood sugar levels.

Myth: I am the only person feeling shame and fear about diabetes.
Truth: Many people share that they feel fear and shame when they learn they have diabetes. Connecting with loved ones, learning from others with diabetes and finding supports that respect your values can help to overcome these feelings.

Myth: Everyone with type 2 diabetes should follow the same plan.
Truth: There are many ways to live a long, healthy, balanced life with diabetes. Learning about diabetes, your body, and what helps to keep your blood sugar balanced is the best way to create a diabetes wellness plan that works for you. Often this is a combination of movement (exercise), balanced diet, checking blood sugars, medications and lowering stress.

Myth: Only people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin.
Truth: All people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin, and SOME people with type 2 diabetes also need to take insulin. It depends on how much insulin a person's body can make by itself. We need insulin to live, so our body either makes it, or we need to take it.​

Myth: Ozempic is a new kind of insulin.
Truth: Insulin and Ozempic are two types of diabetes medication. They are both taken using an injection, instead of pills. However, they are different medications and support the body in different ways. Both help to bring down blood sugar.

Myth: I have diabetes so I can't exercise.
Truth: Moving your body in any way that feels good uses sugar from the blood. This helps to keep blood sugar balanced. Examples are going for walks, dancing, hunting, team sports or gardening. ​

Myth: I can stop taking diabetes medications once my blood sugar is balanced.
Truth: Diabetes medications help the body to use the blood sugar for energy, to keep blood sugar balanced. Everybody is different, but most people with diabetes benefit from medications that protect their body from damage caused by high blood sugar. 

Myth: Type 2 diabetes is caused only by what you eat.
Truth: Diabetes can be caused by many factors including genetics, stress, hormones and diet.

Myth: Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight and manage diabetes.
Truth: People with diabetes need to eat regular meals to keep their blood sugar balanced. How often to eat, and how much to eat, depends on each person's blood sugar.​

Summary: Living with diabetes can be hard, but there are many ways to live healthy, long, full lives. We can lift our spirits by our sharing our stories, learning about diabetes, celebrating our successes and lifting each other up. We are stronger together. 

To learn more about diabetes, please visit the diabetes webpage.