THE OZEMPIC “EPIDEMIC”
We can’t get into talking about ozempic before we discuss what it actually is and what it was developed for. Now we all know it assists in weight loss, but how?
what is ozempic?
Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, is an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and now used as an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management. It is a peptide similar to the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
GLP-1 is a naturally produced hormone that is released in the gut in response to food intake.
GLP-1 slows down how fast your stomach empties, so you feel full longer.
It increases how much insulin your pancreas produces, which lowers your blood sugar naturally.
It sends signals to the brain that reduce hunger and appetite.
Semaglutide is most commonly administered by weekly injections. It is typically sold under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus for diabetes, and under the brand name Wegovy for weight loss.
In December of 2017, the injectable version with the brand name Ozempic was approved for use by people with diabetes in the United States. It was then approved in 2021 by the FDA for weight loss.
“...The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy (semaglutide) injection (2.4 mg once weekly) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol), for use in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity….The drug is indicated for chronic weight management in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or greater who have at least one weight-related ailment or in patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater.”
Alright now that we have had a little history and science lesson, let’s really chat. I have no outright issues with the medication itself. Because of its ability to treat diabetes I have seen first hand how patients have benefited from it after years of struggling with managing their blood sugar. I have also had patients who have not been diagnosed with diabetes, but have tried and failed at losing weight their entire lives finally feel capable of managing their hunger levels and start to see progress that they have been striving for. This medication comes with disadvantages too, there are a lot of possible side effects and patients have had to stop taking their meds all together because they had adverse reactions.
Common symptoms:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Constipation
Abdominal (stomach) pain
Headache
Fatigue
Dyspepsia (indigestion)
Dizziness
Abdominal distension
Eructation (belching)
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in patients with T2DM
Flatulence (gas buildup)
Gastroenteritis (an intestinal infection)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
What has been really frustrating, maybe even infuriating, over the last few years has been watching these medications grow in popularity among individuals who have no business taking it. It has become the norm for celebrities and influencers to start on these injections for vanity purposes. Since they are privileged enough to afford them without insurance, the demand is going up. This inevitably leaves those who could really benefit, waiting around for the slight change insurance covers the cost and then the even slighter chance that it's available and not backorder for months on end.
In today’s world no one cares about health. Those influencers and celebrities I was talking about who present themselves as wellness girlies, they truly only care about thinness. If it really all was about wellness and health from the start this wouldn't even be a conversation needing to be had.
Wellness culture doesn’t give a $h!t about anyone, it will do whatever it can in its power to make it as inaccessible and unachievable as possible. Because if you think about it, wellness wouldn't be as chic, luxurious, and glamorous if it was cheaper and easier for ANYONE to achieve. How would wealthy and privileged individuals feel better about themselves and above everyone else?
While wellness culture may seem to promote health and well being, rather than weight loss, it still at its core equates wellness with moral goodness, and deems certain behaviors and, a certain type of body, as the path to achieving that supposed righteousness, which all in all continues to promote the damaging idea that your worth is directly tied to your physical appearance and your health is determined by your weight.
Always remember that at the end of the day, medication management should be discussed between yourself and a trusted health professional. You as the patient should be able to make a personal and informed decision based on your health and your individual goals. There is absolutely no judgment towards whatever decisions you choose to make for yourself.
