Emedinews: Dr Good Dr Bad: A patient was on rapid weight loss program.

Situation: A patient was on rapid weight loss program.
Dr Bad: Go ahead.
Dr Good: Add UDCA.
Lesson: As weight loss may increase the likelihood of gallstones, UDCA is often added when the weight loss is more than 1 – 1.5 kgs per week.

Emedinews:Makesure: A diabetic patient was gaining weight.

Situation: A diabetic patient was gaining weight.

Reaction: Oh my God!! Why was insulin not considered the cause of weight gain in him!

Lesson: Make sure that one considers drugs in the possible list of causes of unexplained weight gain. Medications are a common cause of weight gain and obesity, in particular insulin, sulfonylureas, and antipsychotics.

Dr KK Answers: Can reducing weight help patients with diabetes?

An observational analysis of participants in the Look AHEAD (Action For Health in Diabetes) study has concluded that modest weight losses of 5 to <10% is associated with significant improvements in cardio vascular disease risk factors at 1 year, but larger weight losses had greater benefits.

5 to 10 kg weight reduction led to 0.5% point reduction in HbA1c , a 5-mmHg decrease in diastolic blood pressure, a 5-mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure, a 5 mg/dL increase in HDL cholesterol and a 40 mg/dL decrease in triglycerides. The clinically significant improvements in most risk factors were even greater in those who lost 10-15% of their body weight.

Source: Diabetes Care 2011 Jul;34(7):1481-1486

Dr KK Answers: Can reducing weight lower blood pressure?

One can achieve a reduction of 5-20 mmHg of blood pressure for every 10 kg weight loss.