Sodiq Ojuroungbe
Endocrinologists have called for increased public awareness about the causes and management of diabetes, dismissing persistent misconceptions that the condition is caused by curses or witchcraft.
The physicians emphasised that diabetes is not a supernatural affliction but a chronic medical condition primarily driven by lifestyle factors.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise at the free diabetes screening exercise organised by the Department of Medicine at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, the specialists urged the public to understand that diabetes management involves controlling blood sugar levels through proper diet, regular exercise, and adhering to prescribed treatments.
The free diabetes screening held on November 14 to mark World Diabetes Day aimed to raise awareness, educate the public, and promote early detection of diabetes.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that World Diabetes Day is celebrated every November 14.
The free screening, held at the hospital’s endocrinology unit, included blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks, and basic medical consultations.
Participants also received educational materials to help them understand and manage diabetes.
Speaking in separate interviews with our correspondent at the event, the endocrinologists explained that poor diet, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity are key risk factors that contribute to the development of diabetes.
They stressed that while diabetes currently has no cure, it can be effectively managed through lifestyle changes and medication.
A professor of Medicine and Endocrinology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Olufemi Fasanmade, stressed that diabetes is not caused by witchcraft or curses, but is instead a lifestyle-related condition.
The professor explained that diabetes is primarily influenced by lifestyle choices such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and excessive consumption of sugary drinks and alcohol.
The physician pointed out that obesity, in particular, is a significant risk factor for both diabetes and hypertension.
He urged the public to focus on managing the condition through healthy living, emphasising that while diabetes has no cure, it can be controlled by maintaining normal blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication.
Fasanmade also dispelled several myths about diabetes, including the belief that insulin injections are a sign of impending death.
He clarified that insulin is a standard and necessary treatment for many people with diabetes, and the condition itself, not the medication, could lead to complications such as kidney damage.
“Diabetes is a chronic medical condition. It’s very common. Nigeria probably has about 11 million people that suffer from it. And there are several misconceptions. Diabetes is a condition that largely is one you control. Some people think that it is due to witchcraft, a curse or a spell. And I remember yesterday, one of my patients was saying, doctor, I don’t want to develop diabetes. And when I asked why? She said that for those who have diabetes, it must be a curse. In my mind, I was smiling.
“Anybody can have diabetes, even an imam, a pastor, a president. So, it has nothing to do with a curse on anybody. It is a lifestyle change and problem.
“The lifestyles that promote diabetes are obesity, inadequate exercise, excessive drinking of alcohol, excessive consumption of carbonated soft drinks, or refined carbohydrates such as sugar, among others. Taking too much of all those things can promote obesity, which usually leads to both hypertension and diabetes.
“In terms of cure, diabetes does not have any universally applicable cure. There are a few people who are being managed for a while, and then the sugars become normal. It does not mean that they have been cured; they are probably monitoring themselves and managing their conditions very well.
“Other misconceptions are that if a person has diabetes and you go and have a relationship with the person, it can be infectious. Diabetes is not infectious. So the husband cannot give the wife diabetes, the wife cannot give the husband diabetes. So these are various things that people wrongly conceive.”
The don also cautioned against relying solely on herbal remedies, noting that while some herbs may help lower blood sugar, none can cure diabetes.
“Some people also think that there are some herbs that you take and diabetes will vanish. That is a largely false misconception. Different herbal things can bring blood sugar down, but none, to my knowledge, can lead to a cure. So these are different misconceptions that people have.”
Fasanmade attributed the rising number of young people diagnosed with diabetes in Nigeria to worsening lifestyle habits, including poor dietary choices, inadequate physical activity, and stress.
He urged people to reduce alcohol consumption, avoid sugary drinks, and engage in regular physical activity.
The physician also emphasised the importance of proper sleep and stress management in preventing the onset of diabetes.
On her part, a senior registrar in endocrinology at LUTH, Dr. Ede Obiamaka noted that many people, especially in Nigeria, still view the disease through a spiritual lens, associating it with negative forces or curses from the village.
According to her, such misconceptions prevent people from seeking timely medical attention. People are often reluctant to consult doctors for fear of being perceived as cursed.
She emphasised that diabetes is a medical condition rooted in lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity, not supernatural forces.
“Diabetes is not a spiritual disease; it is not caused by witchcraft or village people. Anyone can develop diabetes, regardless of their background or religious beliefs,” she said.
The physician highlighted the key signs of diabetes, including frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, and poor wound healing, urging individuals with a family history of the condition to be particularly vigilant.
Obiamaka who is also the convener of the free diabetes screening explained that the hospital’s endocrinology unit organised the screening to encourage people to take proactive steps toward managing their health.
“We know that things are quite hard. Some people may not be able to afford basic health care services. So, we are doing a free diabetes screening for everybody in Surulere and the environs that can present today at our centre.
“Not just the free diabetes screening, we are doing basic medical tests, like checking on blood pressure, basic consultation, counselling, and they were also giving some educational materials to help educate people about diabetes,” she explained.
Similarly, a consultant nephrologist, Babawale Bello emphasised the rising global burden of diabetes and the need for increased awareness and prevention.
Bello, who is also a deputy chairman medical advisory committee that oversees clinical services at the hospital, stated that lifestyle changes, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, are contributing to a rapid increase in both the incidence and prevalence of diabetes.
He pointed out that people are eating more refined sugars and processed foods while abandoning healthier, fibre-rich traditional diets.
“We need to return to our traditional meals, which are healthier and contain more fibre, rather than opting for processed foods,” he advised.
Bello also encouraged Nigerians to adopt simple lifestyle changes, such as walking more, using stairs instead of elevators, and engaging in regular physical activity to combat the rising tide of diabetes.
Also, the acting president of the Association of Resident Doctors, Babatunde Gabriel stressed the importance of awareness in preventing and managing diabetes, a chronic illness that affects millions globally.
Gabriel stressed that early awareness and preventive measures, such as proper diet and regular screening, can significantly reduce the incidence of diabetes.
“When we are more aware, we take precautionary measures to prevent the disease, especially in high-risk individuals,” he said.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.com
The post Diabetes not caused by spiritual attacks, say endocrinologists appeared first on Healthwise.