Have you been thinking about trying semaglutide recently? For those who have tried and failed to lose weight in the past, this new wonder medicine has become an attractive option. This weekly injection is the perfect option if you are dissatisfied with your physical and mental well-being.
When it comes to weight loss, not everyone finds success with diet and exercise. Semaglutide might be the answer to your prayers if you’re seeking a wellness solution that would lead you to a longer, healthier life. This article will inform you on everything you need to know about semaglutide, along with their advantages and frequently asked questions.
What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a drug prescribed to control type 2 diabetes. It is an agonist at the GLP-1 receptor, which means it mimics the effects of the hormone GLP-1 that the body produces naturally. Semaglutide helps to reduce blood sugar levels by lowering glucose production in the liver and increasing insulin production. An additional benefit is that the rate at which food leaves the stomach is slowing down, which has reduced appetite as a consequence.
Not only is semaglutide used to treat diabetes, but it is also available as a weight loss medication under the trade name Wegovy and Ozempic. People who take Semaglutide at a higher dosage report reduced appetite and increased feeling of fullness during the day, which leads to long-term weight loss success.
How Does It Work?
Semaglutide works by tricking the brain into believing that you are fuller than you are by imitating the effects of the two hormones that help control your appetite – hormones ghrelin and leptin. Semaglutide poses as these hormones, and then travels to your brain. As soon as it reaches your brain, it will send signals that you are full, which will make you feel less hungry. Semaglutide also reduces the release of pancreatic hormone – glucagon. This way you are eating less than usual, which makes losing weight much simpler. But, as experts at a semaglutide weight loss treatment center state, semaglutide doesn’t replace a healthy lifestyle. This is why you need to make exercise and a healthy diet a regular part of your routine if you want to see benefits faster.
Who Is the Right Candidate for Semaglutide?
When it comes to this question, a few factors should be considered. Technically, patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 with weight-related complications (such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes) or a BMI of 30 or above, with or without comorbidities, are considered candidates for semaglutide. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) above 25 typically lost weight every month, but patients with a lower BMI lost less weight each month, according to the results of a clinical trial.
In addition to physical baseline criteria, patients need to go through screening for eating disorders, such as emotional eating and binge eating. This additional screening is important to make sure patients lose weight in a healthy, long-term way (mentally and physically). If the patient has ever had gallstones, or pancreatitis, or is at risk for medullary thyroid cancer, then this injection is not for them.
Dosage & Use
Semaglutide is usually injected once a week. Injections may be administered by a medical professional or by yourself at home, allowing you to save both time and money. It comes in the following dose ranges: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, and 2.4mg. Treatments vary from patient to patient, but in general, you’ll begin with a small dose (0.25 or 0.5 mg) administered once weekly. You will be given a dosage increase every four to five weeks until you reach 2.4 mg. How long you have to wait between doses is totally up to your body’s reaction to each adjustment.
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions precisely while injecting Semaglutide to ensure proper dosing. However, here are some pointers: inject Semaglutide into your upper arm, stomach, or thigh, but never into a vein or muscle. Make sure to change the injection spots often and never inject it into the same spot more than once in a row.
You should use a timed schedule to avoid double-injecting or forgetting to inject it at all. If you miss a dose, call your doctor and ask what you should do, unless he has previously instructed you on this. You don’t have to eat anything before taking Semaglutide since it is not a pill. The gold practice is to make and follow a regular Semaglutide dosing schedule.
Side Effects
There are some side effects, as with any medication. Some of the side effects that patients on semaglutide can experience include fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, gassiness, constipation, nausea, headache, pain, vomiting, vivid dreams, low blood sugar, or hair loss. With time, these side effects might improve. Otherwise, patients should consult their doctor.
In very rare cases, patients can experience pancreatitis, kidney damage, gallbladder issues, or thyroid tumors. Also, a small number of patients have experienced stomach paralysis, which can lead to frequent vomiting and even suicidal thoughts.
You should always talk about the potential dangers and side effects with your doctor. Before starting any new medication, it is important to discuss your medical history, any medications you are already taking, and any concerns you may have. Regular follow-up appointments are also a must to track your progress, make any required dose adjustments, and address any possible side effects.
Cost
If your health insurance doesn’t cover it, semaglutide can be fairly expensive. Also, it doesn’t have a generic or off-brand alternative. Semaglutide may seem like a waste of money at first, but when you include in the whole cost associated with obesity and medical care over time, you may find that it ends up saving you tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars.
You can see that semaglutide can be a great addition to your well-being and weight loss. Semaglutide is not a magic bullet, however – it takes patience, regular exercise, and a healthy diet to see its full effect. It’s best to have a thorough consultation with your doctor first to find out whether therapy is right for you and if not, to recommend any potential alternatives.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
