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A British girl has become the first teenager to be fitted with the EndoBarrier implant which could effectively ‘cure’ her diabetes.
The Sun reports that 17 year-old Victoria Parr from Lymington, Hants was fitted with the device at Southampton General Hospital.
The EndoBarrier is a thin plastic sleeve which lines the first 60cm of the small intestine, causing food to be absorbed further down in the intestine.
The body reacts to food in a different way when the first part of the small intestine is blocked and this reduces blood sugar levels and helps to aid weight loss. It can stay in place for up to a year.
It takes less than an hour to fit and is inserted through the mouth and into the small intestine, via the stomach. It is then fixed in place with a sprung metal anchor to stop if from slipping out.
Adults who were fitted with the device last year lost around 20 per cent of their bodyweight – an average of three-and-a-half stone. In trials, a considerable percentage of diabetics were able to come off their diabetes medication after being fitted with the device.
Dr Nikki Davis, who led the medical team, said that the device could “dramatically improve the treatment of severe type 2 diabetes and obesity in young people.”
Victoria said: “It provides hope suffered can reduce medication and take back control of their body.”
Are you diabetic? Let us know below…
Click on the image below to find out how to cut back on sugar…
- Cut out white bread
- Stop drinking soda
- Eat more fruit
- Opt for natural sweeteners
- Start reading the labels
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