Things you need to know about weight loss drugs

Obesity has been around for a really long time. However, since covid started back in 2019, more and more people are getting overweight due to not being able to head out to the gyms etc. There are many ways to solve this problem. Some have decided to undergo surgery, while others have decided to change their dietary intake and exercise. Since this takes time and most people can't wait to get rid of the extra weight, these people have decided to take the fastest way out, which is through the use of weight loss drugs.

History has shown us that doctors used to prescribe weight loss drugs in the past to overweight people. The drug works by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain, which makes the brain believe that the stomach is already full and thus, increases the person's metabolic rate. It was only after scientists discovered that these drugs had side effects and were related to cause heart valve disease that they were taken off the shelves.

Subsequently, doctors developed and prescribed new drugs, many of which are still waiting for FDA approval.

Most people have known friends or family members who have tried using diet pills and have seen tremendous improvement. The idea that a simple drug can change everything without changing the diet or sacrificing anything is very tempting. This has made consumers spend millions of dollars every year and has given drug companies a lot of money making and selling the drug. Diet pills can be purchased either over-the-counter or prescribed by a doctor. Even with the advances in medical technology, these drugs can still cause many health-related problems, which can be unpleasant such as diarrhoea and vomiting, harmful such as tightness in the chest and urinary tract problems and fatal such as a heart attack or a stroke. An overdose of the diet pills can cause tremors, confusion, hallucinations, shallow breathing, renal failure, heart attack and convulsions.

The side effects vary depending on the lifestyle and health of the person and can be minimized as long as one consults the doctor first before buying it.Studies have shown that there are also side effects if one decides to stop using the drugs. These include noticeable mood swings, hyperactivity, pain in the stomach, insomnia, nightmares, severe irritability, extreme fatigue, depression, nausea, vomiting, and trembling.

Clinical tests will show that the drugs are taken to lose weight really work. But this can only work if it is done with a low-calorie diet and an exercise plan. A good diet should have food from all the food groups. This should have vitamins, minerals and fibre. A lot can come from oats, rice, potatoes and cereals. The best still come from vegetables and fruits since these have phytochemicals, enzymes and micronutrients essential for a healthy diet.

Anyone can jog every morning or sign up and work out in a gym. Just like taking any medicine, one should first consult the doctor before undergoing any form of exercise. The best exercise plan should have cardiovascular and weight training exercises. This helps burn calories and increase the muscle-to-fat ratio that, will increase one's metabolism and lose weight.