Semaglutide for weight loss
Obesity has become a major, life long health concern for many across the nation. We are starting to see a shift in the medical community and I for one am here for it. Obesity is not just a vanity concern or due to lack of will power. Genetics, lifestyle, and hormones all play a role. Obesity has real and long term negative health consequences.
Obesity is a chronic disease, just as hypertension, diabetes and depression are. It is time we realize that most patients will require life long treatment for obesity. Once we get a patients blood pressure controlled with medication we don’t stop the medication, so why would we want to stop the medication that is treating a patients obesity?
Over the years there have been a few weight loss options available, but most of them come with side effects or are not safe to use long term. In such cases, a medication that can help in reducing weight and improve overall health can be a game-changer. That's where semaglutide comes in!
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a type of medication that stimulates insulin production and reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver. It is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, but its impact on weight loss has recently caught the attention of healthcare professionals.
How does Semaglutide work for weight loss?
Semaglutide works by reducing hunger as well as delaying gastric emptying to promote a feeling of fullness with smaller amounts of food and for longer periods of time. When combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise patients are able to lose a significant amount of weight. It is important to lose weight at a steady pace and not too fast. Rapid weight loss can lead to loss of muscle mass and increased risk of other side effects.
Semalgutide is a once a week subcutaneous injection given in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
What are the side effects of semaglutide?
The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. However, these side effects are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. In rare cases, semaglutide can also cause more severe side effects, including pancreatitis and severe allergic reactions.
Semaglutide is a prescription medication that you can only obtain from a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or doctor. This medication can have side effects and can interact with other medications. It is important to be under the care of a qualified prescriber who knows how to monitor and manage any side effects or concerns that may arise. Semaglutide is a long term weight loss solution. While you may not require a high dose to maintain your weight loss, most patients do require some sort of maintenance dose.
A healthy diet and regular exercise should also be a part of a weight loss program, as semaglutide works best in combination with these lifestyle changes!
