Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin it does produce.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications. The epidemiology of obesity predicts that 60% of the population suffers from altered body weight.
Obesity not only increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, but also of dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, tumors, osteoarthritis, Sleep Apnea Syndrome, depression, etc. leading to a very high cardiovascular risk.
Obesity is classically defined from an excess of body fat, where parameters such as BMI (body mass index) or the measurement of the abdominal perimeter are used for its diagnosis.
The therapeutic approach must be multidisciplinary, working on different fundamental pillars in the treatment such as the eating plan, physical activity, managing emotions and in some cases, if you have medical criteria, drugs for the treatment of obesity such as diabetes.
Consider the diabesity with an association of two pathologies where control and treatment is essential for the future of the patient.
Accepting obesity as a chronic disease and not as a behavior is the fundamental step for treatment. Obesity is preventable and a very complex disease, where treatment should aim at:
Maintain a balanced weight that leads to a considerable reduction in insulin resistance, thus improving the body’s ability to assimilate glucose and keep it within normal parameters,
Performing physical activity has a double benefit, not only helps to control weight but also contributes to the improvement of insulin sensitivity and greater glucose absorption, especially in the muscles.
At least once a year perform fasting blood tests to identify blood sugar ranges.
Have a balanced eating plan reducing the intake of carbohydrates, refined and ultra-processed sugars. It is advisable to increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals and nuts and good hydration.
We also have multiple drugs for the treatment of diabetes, currently with great advances not only for their benefits in diabetes control, but also for their cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects and helping to reduce weight (dulaglutide, semaglutide) improving prognosis. and life expectancy of the patient.
Also in our country we have new medicines, approved by the ANMAT, for the treatment of overweight and obesity, a very useful fact since improving overweight will help improve blood glucose values and therefore better control of diabetes.
The drugs approved in Argentina for the treatment of obesity are orlistat, liraglutide and naltreva.
It is evident the need to change the current paradigm of obesity treatment focused exclusively on the individual, towards one with emphasis on the interaction between the person and the environment, remembering that prevention begins in childhood, being the foundation for the acquisition of healthy habits. healthy.
Medical Specialist in Diabetes with orientation in overweight and obesity at Bionut Medical Center (@bionut_obesidad) (MN 131.102)
Source: Ambito
