Obesity or weight gain is a common problem among adults and youngsters. The reason behind this weight gain differs from person to person. Some leading causes include hereditary reasons, improper diet, less physical activity, and certain medical conditions.
However, the risk factors associated with weight gain are similar for everyone. Obese people are often prone to life-threatening medical conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, liver diseases, etc.
Thus, it did not come as a surprise when several weight loss measures and treatments started coming into existence. Semaglutide is one such popular treatment that is relatively newer than its counterparts.
This article will, therefore, discuss how you can lose weight by undergoing Semaglutide treatment.
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is also known as Wegovy or Ozempic. It was initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes patients. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist that helps increase insulin secretion for diabetic patients. Those using this medication experienced a drastic decrease in their appetite, resulting in weight loss in the long term.
It led to the use of Semaglutide in curing obesity or weight gain. Novo Nordisk, a famous pharmaceutical company, first advocated using Semaglutide for weight loss. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved this drug in 2021 as a chronic weight loss management treatment in adult patients.
This medication is only approved for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg or higher. It is also prescribed to those with high BMI and certain medical conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes.
The FDA approves a dose of 2.4 mg of semaglutide per week. However, the dosage varies from person to person and is decided by the doctor based on the medical history and severity of the patient’s condition.
For long-term results, one must also implement other forms of weight loss measures, such as increased physical activity and reduced caloric intake.
How Does Semaglutide Help in Losing Weight?
Semaglutide mimics the naturally occurring GLP-1 protein in our body. This protein is naturally produced in the intestine. This hormone is vital in sending messages to the brain about a person’s appetite.
However, the naturally produced GLP-1 hormone has a half-life of just two minutes. This is because they are quickly broken down by enzymes as soon as they are released. Thus, the person can start feeling hungry again after the body stops producing it.
This is where the importance of Semaglutide Weight Loss treatment is established. This medicine is resistant to enzymes and thus has a half-life of seven days. Therefore, the patients are administered only one injection per week for effective and consistent weight loss.
This medication also slows down the digestive process. It makes the food eaten remain in the stomach for a longer time. In this way, Semaglutide is a successful medium for suppressing hunger and losing weight.
When the patients first start consuming Semaglutide, they feel bloated and nauseous. It happens because the body is unaware and new to the sudden appetite changes the Semaglutide medicine brings.
However, with time the patient gets adjusted to the feeling of fullness and satisfaction brought by the medication intake.
How is Semaglutide Treatment Administered for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide is injected right under the skin of the patient. The common body parts to which the injection is administered include the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Because of its strong and long-lasting effects, it is advised to take the Semaglutide weight loss treatment only once a week.
In the initial stages, the doctor prescribes tiny doses. It is done to minimize the side effects associated with stomach or abdominal infections. Once the patient’s body gets accustomed to the drug, the doctor might increase the dose depending on the patient’s condition.
Semaglutide treatments are never prescribed independently. They are always combined with exercise, reduced-calorie diet, and behavior change programs. Moreover, these medications are not for everyone. Only those diagnosed with obesity are suitable for the intake of Semaglutide.
There are a few things to be kept in mind when injecting the drug by yourself.
Firstly, looking for signs of particles or discoloration in the medicines is essential. If so, getting rid of it and bringing a better one is mandatory. It is also vital to clean the injection site with alcohol before administering each dose.
Secondly, one should not inject the drug on the same spot repeatedly as it will result in injury under the skin.
How Fast Does Semaglutide Work In Reducing Weight?
Semaglutide medications provide fast and quick results for those who wish to reduce their weight. As mentioned earlier, this medication is an injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist drug.
The titration period of the GLP-1 receptor agonist is 8 weeks. During this time, the body gets adjusted to the changes brought about by administering this medication.
Only after the 8th week is the therapeutic dose finally injected. This is when the actual weight loss journey starts taking shape. Thus, patients start witnessing significant results only after 8 weeks since the medication is first administered.
Every patient deals with and reacts to the medications differently. Thus, both the patients and the doctors need to monitor how well the former is adjusting to the administration of the drug.
Depending on their tolerance and the visibility of potential side effects, the doctor may or may not increase or decrease the dosage of Semaglutide.
What is the Duration of the Semaglutide Weight Loss Treatment?
In general, the total duration of the treatment is somewhere between 3 to 6 months. However, the duration varies from person to person. The main factors that contribute to the varying time frame are the severity of the patient’s condition and how well they can adapt to the medication.
People with obesity lose weight if they remain on Semaglutide medications even after 20 weeks of treatment. However, there is always the risk of weight regain when the medications are put to stop.
Therefore, it is imperative to continue with limited trans fat intake and increased physical activity for the long-lasting benefits of Semaglutide drugs.
Conclusion
Aside from being a social mockery, obesity has many underlying medical conditions that put one’s life at risk Semaglutide has emerged as an effective solution for obesity-related problems.
However, it still becomes necessary to consult an experienced doctor to know whether or not you are the right candidate and what dosage would bring you the best results.
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