Myth: There is no treatment for Type 2 diabetes.Some people look at their family tree and their waistline and resign themselves to becoming diabetic. "There are people who have a constellation of genes that put them at a higher risk," Shalev says. "But that doesn't mean they will develop diabetes." In most cases, Type 2 diabetes can be delayed and sometimes even prevented with adequate lifestyle modifications, including exercise and healthy diet, Shalev says. Monitoring and early intervention also are important.

Myth: Starting insulin injections in Type 2 diabetes is the beginning of the end.Not true, Shalev says. Patients often panic and resist when told injections are necessary, but it's the next logical step if oral medications don't work. Shalev says emerging research suggests that starting insulin treatment early also can reduce strain on insulin-producing cells. And, the need for insulin injections is not always permanent; some patients with Type 2 diabetes eventually can stop taking insulin if they also make lifestyle changes.

Myth: Kids with Type 1 diabetes can't have anything sweet.People with diabetes once were discouraged from having any sweets, but advances such as fast-acting insulin therapies and monitoring protocols allow for the occasional treat. A child can have a piece of birthday cake, for example, as long as they receive the proper insulin dose beforehand and are monitored closely. "It's an intensive insulin regimen, so patients have to check more frequently, but they gain more freedom," Shalev says.

Source: UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center