Certain medications now available for weight reduction

• Caution needed in managing diabetes during pregnancy
• 90% of women are at risk of it recurring later
• Diabetes now common even in people in their 20s
• Kamineni Doctors share insights during Diabetes Awareness Week

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 10-15 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. Today, even people without diabetes are using them for weight loss. Before COVID, our focus was mainly on controlling diabetes; now, we’re targeting the root cause—obesity. However, the cost of some of these drugs remains high, making them inaccessible to many, though some patients are still opting for them,” 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’re 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.

We’re seeing more cases among women, particularly homemakers. Many develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, which seems to go away but poses long-term risks. A large percentage of these women return with Type 2 diabetes 2-5 years later. Modifying eating habits, improving lifestyle, regular physical activity, and controlling obesity can help prevent gestational diabetes from progressing later.

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. Junk food consumption and lack of exercise are the main causes. If parents develop diabetes in their 50s, their children are more likely to develop it in their 20s. Sedentary jobs, minimal physical activity, increased stress, alcohol consumption, and smoking are also contributing factors,” explained Dr. Sandeep Reddy.

Dr. Bhavani, Consultant Diabetologist, added, The American Diabetes Association provides a diabetes risk calculator. By checking parameters like BMI over 27 and elevated cholesterol, we can assess diabetes risk. If people visit doctors early, they can be identified in the prediabetic stage and preventive measures can be taken. Continuous glucose monitoring systems are also now available, helping in better control and early diagnosis,” she concluded.