A 60-MINUTE procedure involving a balloon and hot water could offer a potential cure for Type 2 Diabetes patients in Scotland.

The Royal Infirmary in Glasgow is the first hospital in the country to trial a new method of treatment for a condition, linked to obesity, that is reaching epidemic proportions.

Doctors say many overweight patients struggle to control their blood sugar, which is the best way to avoid the long term complications, including heart and kidney disease.

As the condition progresses some patients have to wrestle with multiple drug treatments which can be complicated and difficult to follow.

If blood sugar does not improve, patients may need Insulin injection treatment but this can lead to weight gain and has a risk of side effects.

Diabetes experts are trialling a new 60-minute endoscopic procedure, Duodenal mucosal rejuvenation, which has shown a permanent reduction in blood sugar levels in 100 patients.

It uses a balloon filled with hot water to alter how the upper intestine absorbs and processes dietary sugar.

Dr John Morris, consultant gastroenterologist at the GRI said: "A catheter is placed,under deep sedation, into the upper small bowel during an endoscopy procedure.

"The tube has a balloon at its tip which is inflated with very hot water causing a controlled burn of the cells in the upper small bowel which doctors believe may be important in the abnormal control of blood sugar in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

"These cells then slough off and the lining of the bowel returns to normal after a short period.

"The appealing thing about this treatment, from the patients treated so far is, afterwards the patients report no discomfort and immediately resume normal activities.

"In patients treated so far we have seen very encouraging and rapid improvement in blood sugar control."

Across the UK more than 100 patients have taken part in the Revita 2 clinical trial and some have seen permanent reductions in their blood sugar levels.

A previous study, carried out by Glasgow University, found that an "inexpensive" exercise and weight management programme reduced the need for medication in Type 2 diabetes patients. 

To find out more about the trial, visit www.RevitaTrial.com.