Medical weight management is one of our specialties here at Matthews Internal Medicine. Being overweight or obese can be the cause of so many different ailments and diseases, so we want to make sure that our patients can lose weight and prevent the development of some issues in the first place. Some of our patients wonder if new tech has unlocked different ways of losing weight, or if weight management programs are still largely the same as they were in the past.
That’s why we’re always keeping an eye on the latest developments and paying close attention to how they could benefit our patients. Here’s a look at some new technology and how it could potentially change medical weight loss forever.
New Kinds of Implants
Some researchers are working with a small, implantable device that could actually help people with weight management. This device would be installed with a minimally invasive surgical procedure, and from there it would start sending pulses of electricity to the vagus nerve. This is the part of your body that relays communications from the belly to the brain.
The purpose would be to convince the brain that the stomach is already full. It would help patients cut down on overeating and, according to recent studies, would present no obvious health defects or safety issues. The device would also be naturally charged by the stomach’s natural actions, so you wouldn’t have to worry about constantly inserting new devices.
Big Data
Big data and cloud technology could also change how we approach medical weight loss. Medical professionals will be able to gather more data than ever before. This could lead to the development of more effective treatments. The rise of big data can aid in research or just make it easier to track the progress of a specific patient.
Telemedicine
The easy access to video conferencing technology could also aid in weight loss. If you don’t have to visit your medical weight loss consultant in person, they can easily monitor you remotely. This can help patients who don’t live that close to a weight management expert and can’t always swing by for a visit. New tech allows you to find help for your weight problem even when you’re not near your physician.
Video Games
Gaming is typically thought of a sedentary hobby, but some video games have broken that mold in recent years. Games that require you to exercise can include Wii games that actually need you to move around or Dance Dance Revolution, an arcade staple that sees players stepping in time to various fast-paced songs. Pokemon GO, which sends players out into the world on their mobile phones to look for creatures to catch, can also help dieters hit their daily step requirements.
Your Matthews, NC Medical Weight Loss Experts
As technology continues to evolve, you can be sure that we’ll continue to innovate and find new ways to keep our patients healthy. Visit Matthews Internal Medicine for any of your medical weight loss and preventative medicine needs today. We look forward to helping you!