Category: Health and Wellness
British scientists have developed an implanted sleeve that looks like a giant sausage skin, which they claim can cure diabetes.
A team, led by Dr. John Mason of the Trafford Healthcare National Health Service Trust U.K., says that the two-feet-long device can reverse diabetes within weeks — in fact, it acts as an incision-less alternative to a weight loss surgery known as duodenal switch.
The duodenum is the name for the first 10 to 12 inches of the small intestine, which attaches to the stomach.
The new device, called the EndoBarrier, is designed to have the same effects as the surgery but far safer. It is a plastic sleeve that lines the duodenum, meaning food can only be absorbed lower down the intestine.
The procedure is performed under anaesthetic in less than an hour. The sleeve — made from a thin plastic — is inserted via the mouth and passed into the digestive tract using a thin tube, the Daily Mail reported.
Once in place, a sprung titanium anchor prevents it slipping out. It is removed after a year. During trials researchers found that in obese patients who also suffered diabetes, the disease went into remission.
The discovery has led to clinical trials at three British hospitals, which found the implant also lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Good news isn't it?
Raaj
Interesting.
Yes interesting. I don't have it but have friends that have suffered greatly due to it. I wonder if it only helps type 1 or 2? Also maybe it stops it, but it can't reverse the effects and these, at least for the people I know are quiet extreme.
I think you'll find that this procedure is mainly to help with weight loss, and it's the weight loss that assists in the state of their diabetes. by losing weight, some type 2 diabetics will be supposedly cured because it means that their body mas has been reduced and so they once more produce adequate amounts of insulin for their body size. however the likelyhood of someone cured by weight loss being cured for life is highly unlikely, as it mostly returns later in life.
My specialist suggested this sergery for me a while ago but was led to believe it wasn't available yet. Thanks to Raaj, he's now finding out more information, and so how suitable it would be to help me lose weight. My biggest fear is that once the sleave is removed after 12 months, what is the likelyhood of gaining most if not all of the lost weight again.
it's aimed at people with a BMI of between 30 and 50, and says that a person will lose on average 20% of their body weight, or around 50 lbs in the year.
Sounds reasonable. Once the weight is off it can be kept at bey though. Maybe during the time the device is in the persons way of living could be adjusted?
What amazes me is all the stories I've heard about people who have had the lap band surgery or even the more dramatic gastric bipass surgery and after losing a hundred pounds or more start going back to their old habits and stretch their stomach back to its original size. In order for any of these surgeries to be successful, the patient has to be strict with his or her eating habits, just like with any weightloss program. I can only imagine how much harm it does to the body to go through all that and lose the weight only to gain it back again. I think counseling should be intense before the surgery, and joining a support group should be highly recommended once the surgery is over.
Problem with a gastricf band, is that some foods are easier to digest than others, for example chocolate is one of the easiest, so many peoplecheat the band, and so don't lose weight.