Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Weight loss can significantly reduce the severity of diabetes, said Dr. Sandeep Reddy, Endocrinologist, and Dr. Bhavani, Consultant Diabetologist at Kamineni Hospitals. They were addressing the media on the occasion of Diabetes Awareness Week, observed annually from June 9 to 15.

There are three to four types of medications in India that help with both weight loss and diabetes control. Some are injections, and others are tablets. These can help reduce 10 to 15 kgs of weight. These medications reduce appetite and create a feeling of fullness. They are approved by the US FDA and other regulatory bodies. Until recently, these were not available in India,’ they said.

‘Women must be particularly cautious when they develop diabetes during pregnancy. Around 90% of them are at risk of it recurring within 2 to 5 years. Alarmingly, we are now seeing diabetes even among women under 20. If it develops before age 40, it could be Type 1, Type 2, genetically inherited, or caused by hormonal imbalances. Identifying the type early and starting the right treatment is essential, doctors said.

In men too, Type 2 diabetes is showing up before age 40. If it occurs in their 20s, it tends to be more severe, HbA1c levels of 12 or 13 are not uncommon. In such cases, insulin is required for a short period to control it. Sedentary jobs, minimal physical activity, increased stress, alcohol consumption and smoking is also contributing factors,’ explained Dr. Sandeep.