New Delhi: If you think that you can reverse type II diabetes with temporary lifestyle adjustments – changes in diet or training, you are wrong. Scientifically, diabetes is irreversible, but continued weight loss and continued lifestyle changes can bring about remission, reduce the severity of the disease, and prevent complications. Reversal of diabetes is scientifically impossible, and relapse is possible even after remission. Medical experts say that's the only chance. Dr SV Madhu, head and professor of endocrinology at the university's medical faculty, pointed out that type 2 diabetes is a disease caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, and there is scope for remission if the lifestyle changes. “However, significant weight loss of 15 kg or more is required, especially for people who are overweight or obese,” Madhu said. Previous definitions of remission focused on normal blood sugar levels and no need for medication, Dr. Jajeet Singh Wasil said. , Director of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Medanta He Medicity. Dr. V. Mohan, chairman of Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialist Center and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, added, “Overall, less than 5% reach remission.” He added that a blood sugar level below 5.6 is considered true remission. Madu pointed out that there is always the possibility of relapse after remission. “It's not permanent and it's not a cure. We can only bring diabetes down below a threshold level. If you don't follow this regime as a permanent, lifelong lifestyle measure, you're likely to suffer again.” “There are five groups of people with type 2 diabetes who can achieve remission,” Dr. Mohan said. These he five can be identified as he ABCDE. “A refers to A1c (glycosylated hemoglobin), which shouldn't be too high,” he explained. “B stands for BMI. The more obese a patient is, the greater the chance of remission through weight loss. C stands for C-peptide, which is a measure of insulin secretion. The better the body mass index, the easier the remission. D represents the duration of diabetes. The shorter the duration, the more likely the disease will be in remission. “E represents an enthusiastic individual who is eager to achieve remission.” He warns that if diabetes comes back after going into remission, it will come back with a vengeance. According to Dr. Anoop Misra, Executive Chairman and Head of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Fortis C-Doc Hospital, the duration of remission varies. “People who are recently diagnosed with diabetes and who are obese (BMI over 25) are more likely to go into remission than people who are not obese and have had diabetes for many years,” Professor Misra said. Wasil noted that patients with less than five years are more likely to be in remission. “The people who have the best chance of remission are obese patients who have had diabetes for a short period of time,” he said. “The main factor in remission is weight loss. People who lose more than 15% of their starting weight have the highest chance of remission, greater than 80%.” Does bariatric surgery work? AIIMS Professor and Obesity Dr. Sandeep Agarwal, Consultant Surgeon, said, “Bariatric surgery is synonymous with weight loss surgery and is very important for type II diabetes remission.” Analysis of weight loss after bariatric surgery shows that diabetes improved or resolved in 86.6% of patients.
