What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a serious disease in which your body has trouble processing energy from the foods you eat. Diabetes results from a problem with insulin, a hormone that's normally produced by your body. If your body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it properly, glucose - a form of sugar - builds up in your blood. There are three common types of diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes: In people who have this type, the body does not produce any insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes: In people who have this type, the body is resistant to the action of insulin. It takes extra insulin to overcome this problem, and the body cannot produce enough.
Gestational Diabetes: The pregnant women who have this type also produce insulin, but their bodies do not use it well.

People who have any type of diabetes need to carefully watch what they eat, get enough exercise. People who have Type 1 diabetes must take insulin to survive. People who have Type 2 diabetes may be able to control it with exercise and weight loss, or they may need to take pills or insulin. Women with gestational diabetes sometimes need to use insulin, too.

Following is information about separating myths from facts when managing your diabetes.

MYTH: People with diabetes cannot eat sweets.
FACT: You can eat whatever you want - in moderation.
It's true that sweets can cause a spike in blood sugar, but so can many other foods. For most people with diabetes, cutting out specific foods isn't necessary.

MYTH: Eating sugar causes diabetes.
FACT: Eating too much sugar can make you gain weight - which can lead to Type 2 diabetes, but not Type 1.
Even though high blood sugar is a sign of diabetes, the real problem is with insulin. Having diabetes means that your body isn't making enough insulin, isn't responding to insulin properly, or both.

MYTH: People with diabetes can't play sports.
FACT: You can and should exercise regularly as long as you monitor yourself.
Exercise can have varied effects on blood glucose, so it's important to check with your doctor first. But exercise is important to a healthy lifestyle, whether or not you have diabetes.

MYTH: If you have a family history of diabetes, you will definitely get diabetes.
FACT: Many people with a family history will not develop diabetes.
In most cases, the chance of a parent with Type 1 diabetes having a child with Type 1 diabetes is 5 percent or less. A family history of Type 2 diabetes raises your odds of developing it, but a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk.

MYTH: All people with diabetes will eventually lose a limb, go blind, or need dialysis.
FACT: Taking care of your body and following your diabetes treatment plan can delay or prevent complications.
Diabetes does increase your risk of certain problems, and uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious illness. Controlling your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can help keep you healthy.

MYTH: Having to take insulin means you're really sick.
FACT: If your treatment requires it, insulin can help you stay healthy.
Insulin is normally produced in the body, but people with diabetes may need to get this hormone from shots or an insulin pump. You don't have to think of it as a sign that you're sick. Think of it as giving your body something that it needs.