How much do you really know about diabetes?

You probably know someone who has diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes is a long-term condition that happens when your body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it properly. It's usually managed with a combination of medicine and a healthy lifestyle.

There are many misconceptions about diabetes. Let's take a closer look at some common myths and the facts behind them.

Myth 1: Type 2 diabetes is "not so bad"

A common myth about diabetes is that type 1 is the "bad" kind of diabetes, and that type 2 is the less serious or "good" kind. It's not clear where this idea started, but it could be the common fear of needles. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin injections, while many with type 2 can manage their condition with lifestyle changes and medicine taken by mouth, or even with lifestyle changes alone.

But that's not the full picture. Type 2 diabetes can get worse over time, and some people eventually need insulin too. Both types can lead to serious health complications like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage.

Myth 2: Thin people can't get type 2 diabetes

Being overweight is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Being even slightly overweight increases diabetes risk by up to five times, according to research done by Harvard School of Public Health Professor Walter Willett and being seriously obese increases it by 60 times.

Being overweight isn't the only major risk factor for type 2 diabetes - genetics play an equally important role. People with a family history of diabetes have a higher risk of developing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Myth 3: Eating something really sweet can "give you" diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is genetic, and type 2 is influenced by genetics and other factors. About 80% of cases of type 2 diabetes are linked to lifestyle factors. But if you don't have diabetes and only eat something very sweet every now and then, the sugar won't automatically "give you" diabetes.

Myth 4: You can't get type 2 diabetes if you lead a healthy lifestyle

Since 80% of type 2 diabetes is triggered by lifestyle factors, it's easy to assume that following a healthy eating plan and exercising regularly means you're immune. That's not true. Some medical conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), increase the risk of type 2 diabetes because it's related to insulin resistance. You could also develop diabetes if you are involved in an accident that damages your pancreas.

Get cover for diabetes treatment and care

Register for the Chronic Illness Benefit

You don't automatically get cover for diabetes treatment when you or a dependant are diagnosed. If you don't register, we pay for medicine and tests from your day-to-day benefits. You and your doctor must complete the Chronic Illness Benefit application form and send it to us.

Apply to join our Diabetes Care Programme

Once you're registered on the Chronic Illness Benefit for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you can join the Diabetes Care Programme.