A CURE FOR DIABETES?

With diabetes affecting over 30 million Indians, could this type of surgery mark the end of the restrictions of a diabetic life?

Dr Ramen Goel, metabolic surgeon

 Diabetes has an impact on the kidneys, eyes, heart and nerves all over the human body. With the monthly expense for treatment and control, loss of wages from reduced efficiency and incapacity, and cost of complication management, diabetes is a dreaded diagnosis to heard from your doctor.
    There is a possibility of a cure for type-1 diabetes within a decade through stem cell research or pancreatic transplant. However, for the 70-80 per cent of diabetics who are type-2, a regulated lifestyle and sustained weight maintenance for blood sugar control is the only option they have.This kind of discipline is difficult for most of people to achieve and maintain.
    However, recent developments in metabolic surgery have shown promise of a cure for diabetes in over 90 per cent type-2 diabetic patients. Performed through keyhole route, Ileal interposition surgery, where a hormone secreting part of intestine is shuffled, results in increased insulin secretion,increase in number of insulin secreting cells and overall control of sugar levels within 2-8 weeks of surgery. Patients do not require additional medication for sugar control and are able to eat the food of their choice and at desired timings.Initially operated patients in India have shown complete resolution in all of them and more patients are coming forward to be a part of this research.
    Most patients find it tedious to maintain the imposed lifestyle restrictions so they are willing to try out this treatment methodology with optimism and excitement. The prospect of avoiding damage to kidneys, vision, heart attacks and strokes or paralysis is significant enough to motivate people to consider a onetime surgical option.
    The pace of medical science advancement has not only changed the treatment approach, but has forced us to look at a disease from a new perspective. Role of hormones secreted from the intestine, is considered vital in development of diabetes and related diseases. For thousands of years, wise men had counselled healthy eating for longer life. A surgical approach has forced us to remember their significance.