Obesity - Control it in time and lead a happy life

Obesity is one of the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. While dieting and exercise are the best ways to control obesity there are some drugs and treatments available for obesity. This article delves into the effectiveness of the various obesity treatment methods and drugs available. Consult your doctor to find out the most suitable treatment method for you.

About obesity

Obesity is defined as a condition where large amounts of excess body fat have accumulated in a person. It is a serious medical condition that may lead to heart diseases, diabetes, osteoarthritis, sleeping disorders, certain types of cancers and many other diseases. Obesity lowers both the quality of life and life expectancy of a person.

In medical terms, people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 30 are considered obese while those with a BMI above 40 are considered morbidly obese. Major factors that contribute towards obesity in a person includes excess consumption of high calorie foods such as junk food, lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, genetic predisposition and in a few cases, certain diseases and medications.

Drugs and treatments available for obesity
Just as obesity cannot be developed overnight it cannot be treated instantly. Lot of patience, dedication and tough lifestyle changes are required in order to control obesity. In patients with severe obesity, medications and surgery may be required. Here we have discussed some of the most popular drugs and treatments available for combating obesity.

Dieting - This is one of the most effective ways of treating obesity. Consuming reduced quantities of food, particularly low fat food, helps a person to reduce weight gradually. This is primarily because obesity occurs when the body consumes more calories than it burns. You can consult a dietician to help you prepare a diet chart.

Exercise - Increasing physical activity helps to burn off more calories and is a great way to treat obesity. Apart from doing regular physical exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, efforts should be made to move out of your sedentary lifestyle and incorporate activities in your daily routine that are more physically demanding ,such as using the staircase instead of the lift, walking places rather than driving. You may also engage yourself in activities that you enjoy such as swimming, cycling, dancing or walking.

Obesity treatments drugs - Obesity treatment drugs can be used by patients who fail to achieve significant weight loss even after repeated attempts to lose weight by dieting and exercise. Patients should always take obesity treatment medicines after consulting a doctor as they come with certain side effects and can react badly to certain medicines and medical conditions. Two of the most popular FDA approved obesity treatment drugs are Xenical and Reductil. Both these medicines work best when used in conjunction with physician supervised reduced calorie diets and proper physical exercise. Weight loss drugs are prescribed to people with a BMI of 30 and above or to people with a BMI of 28 or more and have other risk factors.

• Xenical (orlistat) - Xenical works as a fat absorption inhibitor. Xenical blocks about 30% of the fat in your diet from being absorbed by your body and helps a person to gradually lose weight. The un-absorbed fat is passed out of the body through bowel movements. Xenical capsules need to be taken thrice daily with every main meal that contains fat.  Xenical is marketed by Roche pharmaceuticals and was approved the FDA in 1999 as a prescription only weight loss drug.

• Reductil (sibutramine) - Reductil is one of the most prescribed appetite suppressant weight loss medicine. The active ingredient in Reductil called sibutramine works on the appetite centre in your brain. Reductil dupes your brain into feeling full even when you have eaten less. By lowering your calorie intake Reductil helps you to lose weight gradually. Reductil is taken orally once daily, preferably in the morning before your first meal. Sibutramine is marketed by Abbott pharmaceuticals as Meridia in the US and as Reductil in Europe and most other countries. The FDA approved Reductil as a prescription only weight loss drug in 1997.

Surgery - Bariatric surgery can be performed on morbidly obese people with a BMI of 40 and above who failed to lose weight despite repeated attempts at dieting and exercise. Weight loss surgery works towards reducing the size of the stomach by banding or stapling so that it cannot accommodate more food and thereby reduces your calorie intake. The surgery is expensive and complications are frequently reported.

An UK based MHRA reviewed HealthExpress provide useful advice for slimming pills to loose your weight. Reductil, Xenical weight loss drug and feel free from Obesity.