DOHA: A video circulating on social media claiming diabetes can be cured through weekly injection is baseless, warned an expert from the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
Professor Abdul Badi Abou Samra, chairman of Internal Medicine at HMC, has advised diabetics to ignore the video and continue using the treatments prescribed by their doctors.
“Currently, there is no injection or medicine that cures diabetes completely. There are many medications that help to lower blood sugar levels, but these are not a cure. Prescribed medical treatments vary according to a patient’s age, the type and stage of his or her diabetes, and any complications and co-existing conditions the patient may have,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of patients not altering their treatment plan without first consulting their physician. “ All the treatments used at HMC are universally accepted for the treatment of diabetes. Treatment plans are individual. The success of a particular treatment for some patients does not mean that the same treatment will be effective for all patients,” Prof. Abou Samra said.
He added that HMC clinicians are undertaking a number of research studies to compare the effectiveness of different treatments for diabetes, as well as their side effects.
“No single prescription can apply to all patients. The type and dosage of medicine prescribed will differ according to each patient’s specific condition. For instance, patients with type 1 diabetes, whatever their age, and some patients with type 2 diabetes whose pancreas become unable to produce enough insulin, must take insulin injections. This may not be replaced by another drug,” said Prof. Abou-Samra.
Prof Abou-Samra said that following a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet and getting adequate physical exercise, can help prevent the disease.
He added that if their diabetes diagnosed in the early stages, patients may not require medication and instead be able to manage the disease with lifestyle changes.
“At any stage of the disease, the patient will still need to adhere to a healthy diet and get appropriate physical exercise. Medication alone is not sufficient if the patient’s lifestyle is unhealthy.”
