Some bariatric patients experience improved nerve functionality in their extremities.
This is obviously good news for any patients suffering from neuropathy and considering bariatric surgery
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 09, 2015
Some patients with diabetes experience a phenomenon known as autonomic neuropathy, which is basically nerve damage that can result in numbness or pain in the extremities. This can also lead to anhidrosis (insufficient sweating) in the extremities and hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) around the core. Doctors have long known that these symptoms are correlated with an increased mortality rate for diabetic patients, so anything that can be done to prevent them can be potentially life-saving. Recently, a study reported on by Healio on May 19th concluded that bariatric surgery may be one of those things. According to the study, presented at the 2015 Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, some of the patients who had bariatric surgery were shown to have “significant improvements in neuropathy.”
"This is obviously good news for any patients suffering from neuropathy and considering bariatric surgery," says Michael Feiz M.D., F.A.C.S.. Still, he advises his patients that "results differ from patient to patient." At the same time, optimism is an appropriate attitude toward bariatric surgery, especially considering all of the other positive health outcomes that the surgery is proven to bring in some patients. Here are just a few possible positive health outcomes in addition to decreased symptoms of neuropathy that Dr. Feiz notes can be brought about through bariatric surgery:
- Diabetes Remission – While this study shows that bariatric surgery can improve some of the symptoms of diabetes, other studies have shown that bariatric surgery can help patients achieve complete remission of type 2 diabetes. Another study has shown that patients who do not yet have the disease but are considered high risk for developing it are less likely to if they elect bariatric surgery.
- Joint Pain Relief – Even if patients do not suffer from arthritis or any other type of chronic pain, getting rid of pounds of excess weight with bariatric surgery is an effective way to quite literally take a load off. Many patients of Dr. Feiz who lose weight after having a Lap Band or sleeve gastrectomy procedure note the relief that comes with no longer having to support all of that weight on their joints. Another recent study showed that patients who have bariatric surgery are more likely to have positive outcomes with joint replacement surgery.
- Improved Cardiac Function – Losing weight in general helps prevent heart attacks and strokes, and bariatric surgery is one of the best ways that patients can lose weight. A study reported on by Health Day on May 2nd, 2012 concluded that an increase of just 4 points to a person’s BMI increases their “risk of heart disease by no less than 52 percent.”
The benefits of weight loss surgery have been clearly and scientifically established, and so have the risks. Luckily for patients, those risks are relatively low. Patients can be even further comforted when they have their procedure with Dr. Feiz. To schedule a consultation, or to learn more about the advantages that bariatric surgery can have for obese patients, patients can call Dr. Feiz & Associates at (800) 868-5946 or visit them online at http://www.drfeiz.com.