Rebel belly: what is the threat of using drugs for weight loss
In the Moscow region, doctors operated on a girl who had a 20-centimeter stone in her stomach. The patient explained that she had pain and nausea while taking weight loss pills purchased online. She had been taking the drug for two months. Izvestia found out the dangers of such drugs and how to choose such therapy.
A stone in the stomach
In the Moscow region, doctors removed a 20-centimeter stone from the girl's stomach. He appeared after the patient had been taking medication for weight loss for two months, the Ministry of Health of the Moscow Region said.
A 19-year-old girl was admitted to Krasnogorsk hospital with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The patient said that for the last two months she had been taking weight loss medications purchased online, and then the symptoms began to appear.
"Due to the large size of the gastric stone, we decided to perform an operation, during which the formation was removed through a small incision. It will be possible to talk more precisely about the composition of the bezoar and the causes of its appearance when the results of the histological examination are ready," said Nikolai Murashov, head of the surgical department at Krasnogorsk Hospital.
According to him, the girl feels well after the operation, she will be discharged home soon. Doctors warned about the dangers of taking medications without consulting a specialist.
Almost simultaneously, the Telegram channel Mash reported massive complaints about a popular weight loss drug on social media that allegedly "removes 5-6 kg in a week." According to the channel, there were many reviews on the Network from victims who spoke about nausea, high blood pressure and tachycardia that appeared after taking the pills. There are similar reviews on marketplaces. It is currently unknown whether the girl from Krasnogorsk took the right drug.
A dangerous way
Weight loss pills are a tempting way to lose weight, but the apparent simplicity hides serious risks, Inna Tikhonova, an endocrinologist and nutritionist at the FNCC of the FMBA of Russia, tells Izvestia. Drugs purchased on marketplaces and from unverified sellers are especially dangerous: their composition may differ from the declared one, and the consequences of taking them may become unpredictable.
In general, the doctor explains, weight loss medications are usually complexes of biologically active additives (dietary supplements) or medications designed to stimulate weight loss. Using such pills without medical advice can lead to complications, including liver and kidney disorders, as well as an imbalance of electrolytes in the body.
— Many remedies work by artificially suppressing appetite, removing fluid from the body, or speeding up metabolism. However, even certified medications can cause side effects ranging from sleep disorders and high blood pressure to severe heart, kidney, and liver problems. And if we are talking about unregistered ones, the consequences can be even more serious," the nutritionist notes.
Ekaterina Kashukh, an expert at the Hemotest laboratory, a gastroenterologist, notes that in general, the situation with the sale of such drugs is quite strict: some are banned in Russia, others are available only by prescription — precisely because of possible serious side effects.
— In particular, one of the most popular drugs is a derivative of a psychotropic drug. Thus, although the drugs suppress appetite, they can act as narcotic substances when taken uncontrolled.: It can be addictive and irreversibly destroy mental health," the doctor concludes.
A healthy decision
According to Ekaterina Kashukh, weight loss products are usually presented as dietary supplements on marketplaces. Unlike medicines, there is no strict control over their safety and effectiveness.
— In addition, dietary supplements may contain herbs and their extracts, often without even specifying the species. They can be potentially dangerous for the liver: they can lead to toxic damage and cell death. Many other components of dietary supplements can negatively affect the liver and cause acute liver failure, lead to intensive care and even death if timely transplantation is not performed," says the gastroenterologist.
In addition, Maria Menshikova, a nutritionist at Teledoctor24, adds that dietary supplements often contain hidden components and even prohibited substances, such as sibutramine or phenolphthalein. Another danger is that a person cannot check the permits confirming safety, as well as the conditions of transportation and storage, and compliance with the temperature regime.
For this reason, she notes, such drugs should be purchased in trusted places and preferably after consulting a doctor. At a minimum, he will evaluate the composition of the drug, its safety and effectiveness, and also help to understand whether the remedy is really necessary in this case.
— The doctor will also evaluate the interaction of the drug with other drugs — whether it can cause dangerous reactions, for example, enhance the effect of anticoagulants, — concludes the nutritionist.
Healthy ways
In general, doctors explain, different specialists work with overweight patients: internists, endocrinologists, nutritionists, nutritionists and gastroenterologists. They can prescribe medications for weight correction, while selecting them for a person, taking into account his medical history, test results and the presence of contraindications. This will increase the effectiveness of the treatment and reduce the risks.
At the same time, endocrinologist and nutritionist Inna Tikhonova adds, there are alternative methods that work better and, most importantly, do not pose a threat to health. This is a healthy diet with a sufficient amount of protein, fiber and healthy fats and physical activity — regular exercise in a comfortable mode accelerates metabolism and forms a fit athletic figure.
— Sleep, stress levels, and even psychological attitudes towards food also play a huge role. Working with a doctor or a nutritionist, and in some cases with a psychologist or an endocrinologist, will help to understand the causes of excess weight and choose a method that will help a particular person," says the interlocutor of Izvestia.
In the event that a person still decides to purchase an additive, Maria Menshikova recommends at least reading its composition, studying contraindications and checking on the websites of Rospotrebnadzor or the FDA.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
