The World Health day is celebrated on 7th of April every year. The theme this year is Beat Diabetes. 

The number of people being diagnosed with diabetes is on the rise and so are the myths surrounding the condition. Here, we help you break some common misbeliefs to help you manage diabetes better.

Diabetes is not a serious disease.

You cannot afford to take diabetes lightly. But this doesn't mean that life comes to an end once you are diagnosed with it. In fact, I suggest that you don’t wait to get diagnosed with diabetes, to take it seriously. This is especially true for people who are at high risk of developing diabetes.

If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop Type-2 diabetes.

People, who have a genetic propensity, are overweight, follow a sedentary lifestyle and are suffering from hypertension should not wait for diabetes to be diagnosed and then take control measures.

People with diabetes should completely eliminate sugar, starchy foods like rice and potato from their diet.

Even if you are diagnosed with diabetes, there is no need to completely eliminate anything from your diet. What you presently eat—the type and quality, your activity and stress levels and your weight will primarily determine number of calories you need, which will be the basis for your diet plan. Control and moderation are the key words.

Once I begin to take medicines to control sugar, my diabetes will always be under control and I won’t have to visit the doctor.

Taking medicines does not eliminate the need for regular monitoring and consulting the doctor.In fact, the need increases because the doctor will need to evaluate how your body is responding to the medicines and will accordingly alter the dosage.