Patient’s perception about diabetes has not changed much in the over forty years, says Dr. Gerald Bernstein who has been practicing medicine at two major NYC hospitals.
In fact, he still sees the same viewpoints today as when he was a former director of the Beth Israel Health Care Systems Diabetes Management Program years ago.
“In this day and age, I still get patients who believe that they developed diabetes from eating too much sugar,” says Dr. Bernstein. Although doctors and researchers are still unsure what causes the disease, Dr. Bernstein insists, “bad eating habits such as too much refined sugars, empty carbohydrates, and fructose does not cause diabetes.”
Below are some of the most prevalent myths surrounding diabetes. “Baby boomers who were raised with misconceptions about the disease may be at risk,” advises Dr. Bernstein, who is also the director of medical affairs at Generex Biotechnology Corporation, a biotechnology company engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of drug delivery systems and technologies for patients with diabetes. “There is no substitute for knowledge.”
Diabetes Will Make You Go Blind: According to Dr. Bernstein, while it is true that all people with diabetes are at risk of blindness, heart problems, and renal disease, it is equally true that in this day and age a smaller percentage actually experience the full brunt of such complications than 30 years ago. “The better the patient controls his or her blood sugar, the less likely the more serious complications associated with diabetes will progress. Anyone already experiencing the side effects of diabetes needs to achieve and maintain the most stringent possible control in order to minimize their further progression.”
