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Weight loss drugs are rising in popularity. Georgia doctors weigh in on risks and benefits

Weight loss drugs are rising in popularity. Georgia doctors weigh in on risks and benefits
MARIA THAT’S REALLY A GOOD POINT. OKAY, MIKE. THANK YOU. FIVE ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TONIGHT. SO THE LINK BETWEEN A POPULAR WEIGHT LOSS DRUG AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, THERE’S A NEW STUDY THAT’S NOW SUGGESTING THAT THAT RISK INCREASES FOR PEOPLE USING SEMAGLUTIDE. I HOPE I’M PRONOUNCING THAT RIGHT, DOCTOR ALICE CONNORS KELLGREN, A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER. YOU CAN CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT I’M DOING THAT CORRECTLY. YEAH, YOU GOT IT. MARIA. OKAY, GOOD. SEMAGLUTIDE. IS THERE BETTER KNOWN AS BRAND NAMES? WEGOVY FOR WEIGHT LOSS, OZEMPIC FOR TREATING TYPE TWO DIABETES. DO YOU HAVE CLIENTS WHO TAKE THEM? I DO, I ACTUALLY HAVE A NUMBER OF PATIENTS WHO ARE TAKING THESE MEDICATIONS. SO AS A THERAPIST, I ALWAYS ASK MY PATIENTS WHAT MEDICATIONS THEY’RE TAKING BECAUSE MEDICATIONS FOR ALL KINDS OF MEDICAL ISSUES, IN ADDITION TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH. AND WHAT I’VE SEEN FROM MY PATIENTS WHO ARE TAKING WEGOVY OR OZEMPIC OR SOME OF THE OTHER BRAND NAMES OF THIS DRUG ARE THAT THEY HAVE PRETTY MIXED RESULTS. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF WEIGHT LOSS. THEY’RE FEELING A LOT HEALTHIER. SOME OF THE FOOD CHATTER AND CRAVINGS THAT WERE REALLY BOTHERING THEM BEFORE HAVE DISAPPEARED, AND OTHERS EITHER DON’T SEE RESULTS OR HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE TOLERATING THE SIDE EFFECTS LIKE NAUSEA AND GI UPSET. HEALTH OFFICIALS IN THE U.S. AND IN EUROPE SAY THAT THEY’VE INVESTIGATED REPORTS THAT SEMAGLUTIDE CAN CAUSE MOOD CHANGES, BUT THEY HAVEN’T CONFIRMED A LINK. SO WHAT IS THE NEW RESEARCH SHOW? SO THIS NEW STUDY THAT WAS JUST PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOUND THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKING THESE DRUGS ARE MORE LIKELY TO REPORT SUICIDAL IDEATION THAN PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKING OTHER DRUGS THAT TREAT SIMILAR PROBLEMS. SO THE STUDY IS A LITTLE IFFY BECAUSE IT DOESN’T SHOW THAT THESE DRUGS ARE CAUSING MOOD CHANGES OR THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE. NOR DO THEY IDENTIFY LIKE WHAT THE MECHANISM WOULD BE. SO EXPERTS THINK THAT IT MIGHT BE BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF REWARD FROM FOOD ARE NOW MISSING OUT ON THIS SOURCE OF PLEASURE, BUT IT’S UNCLEAR WHETHER THESE DRUGS ARE EVEN CAUSING THE SUICIDE. EXCUSE ME? THE SUICIDAL IDEATION, LET ALONE WHAT EXACTLY IS HAPPENING. SO OBVIOUSLY MORE RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE HERE. BUT WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE ALREADY TAKING MEDICATIONS FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION? SO WITH ANY NEW DRUG, I REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL RISKS AND PAY ATTENTION TO ANY CHANGES IN THEIR MENTAL HEALTH OR IN THE WAY THAT THEIR BODY FEELS AND REPORT THOSE CHANGES TO THEIR DOCTOR. SO THAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN HELP YOU FIGURE OUT HOW TO BEST TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. DOCTOR CONNORS KALLGREN. THANK YO
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Weight loss drugs are rising in popularity. Georgia doctors weigh in on risks and benefits
Weight loss drugs continue to skyrocket in popularity. That is largely because they offer hope to those who've struggled to shed weight using traditional methods, but some are now raising concerns that the hype around the medications could trigger those with eating disorders. Related video above: Study suggests link between weight loss drugs, suicidal thoughtsRight now, there's very limited research on the connection between weight loss drugs and eating disorders, but it's important to keep in mind that while weight loss drugs can come with a lot of benefits, there are also some risks."Some people are really going to benefit from this, and some aren't. They should really review that with a medical professional," said Micah Mabe, a general and bariatric surgeon with Memorial Health. Mabe said weight loss drugs can be great for those who are looking to become more healthy and have not had luck losing weight through diet and exercise alone."Our ultimate goal is to help people lose weight for the medical benefits of it. So, reducing risk of diabetes, heart failure, the cardiovascular risk, all of those things come with a BMI of less than 30," Mabe said.Mabe said many of the injectable drugs work by essentially slowing down your digestive process. "So your stomach is going to empty slower, your intestines are going to digest slower, and that just gives you a fuller feeling, so you're going to stop eating sooner," he said.There are several physical risks associated with weight loss medications, like pancreatitis, kidney issues and more."(If) people have gastroparesis, significant acid reflux, or people with a history of gallstone disease, ... (we need to know because) gallbladder issues can take place," Mabe said.But the risks could also be mental. The National Eating Disorders Association said weight loss drugs have the potential to intensify thin idealization, weight stigma and fatphobia.Some are also beginning to question how these drugs could impact those who have overcome an eating disorder in the past. There is fear those people may fall back into old patterns after getting on the drug."I think when you are looking at any scope of mental health diagnoses, there's always a fear of relapse or a fear of reverting back," said Obiageli Okeke, director of behavioral health at Memorial Health.Mabe said that, oftentimes, people regain some of the weight they lost after stopping their medications."We have pretty good data that supports one year after stopping the medication, they're going to regain at least half of the weight that they lost," he said.Some fear that regaining weight could lead to problematic behavior like skipping meals or eating very little. Okeke said, "If you're having to hide (your eating habits), if it's something that you know is not right ... it's often at that point when you need to reach out (for help)." When it comes to weight loss medications, experts suggest steering clear if you've ever had a history of an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia."So it's making sure that, you know, as an individual that you're always looking back at self and recognizing and focusing on your mental health," Okeke said.Doctors say you should never try to get weight loss medications online; you should speak to a physician face to face. The ultimate goal is to get you to your healthiest self, and seeing a doctor will ensure whether this is the right path for you.

Weight loss drugs continue to skyrocket in popularity. That is largely because they offer hope to those who've struggled to shed weight using traditional methods, but some are now raising concerns that the hype around the medications could trigger those with eating disorders.

Related video above: Study suggests link between weight loss drugs, suicidal thoughts

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    Right now, there's very limited research on the connection between weight loss drugs and eating disorders, but it's important to keep in mind that while weight loss drugs can come with a lot of benefits, there are also some risks.

    "Some people are really going to benefit from this, and some aren't. They should really review that with a medical professional," said Micah Mabe, a general and bariatric surgeon with Memorial Health.

    Mabe said weight loss drugs can be great for those who are looking to become more healthy and have not had luck losing weight through diet and exercise alone.

    "Our ultimate goal is to help people lose weight for the medical benefits of it. So, reducing risk of diabetes, heart failure, the cardiovascular risk, all of those things come with a BMI of less than 30," Mabe said.

    Mabe said many of the injectable drugs work by essentially slowing down your digestive process.

    "So your stomach is going to empty slower, your intestines are going to digest slower, and that just gives you a fuller feeling, so you're going to stop eating sooner," he said.

    There are several physical risks associated with weight loss medications, like pancreatitis, kidney issues and more.

    "(If) people have gastroparesis, significant acid reflux, or people with a history of gallstone disease, ... (we need to know because) gallbladder issues can take place," Mabe said.

    But the risks could also be mental. The National Eating Disorders Association said weight loss drugs have the potential to intensify thin idealization, weight stigma and fatphobia.

    Some are also beginning to question how these drugs could impact those who have overcome an eating disorder in the past. There is fear those people may fall back into old patterns after getting on the drug.

    "I think when you are looking at any scope of mental health diagnoses, there's always a fear of relapse or a fear of reverting back," said Obiageli Okeke, director of behavioral health at Memorial Health.

    Mabe said that, oftentimes, people regain some of the weight they lost after stopping their medications.

    "We have pretty good data that supports one year after stopping the medication, they're going to regain at least half of the weight that they lost," he said.

    Some fear that regaining weight could lead to problematic behavior like skipping meals or eating very little.

    Okeke said, "If you're having to hide (your eating habits), if it's something that you know is not right ... it's often at that point when you need to reach out (for help)."

    When it comes to weight loss medications, experts suggest steering clear if you've ever had a history of an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia.

    "So it's making sure that, you know, as an individual that you're always looking back at self and recognizing and focusing on your mental health," Okeke said.

    Doctors say you should never try to get weight loss medications online; you should speak to a physician face to face. The ultimate goal is to get you to your healthiest self, and seeing a doctor will ensure whether this is the right path for you.