Latest news with #BrittaReierson
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Traveling With Ozempic This Summer? Here's What Doctors Want You to Know
Traveling while taking a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic or Wegovy comes with its own set of challenges, and those challenges only multiply in the summer. Whether you're navigating a heat wave, spending hours on a plane or just trying to keep up with your summer routine, it's not always easy to stay consistent with your medication or manage potential side effects like nausea and fatigue. Hot weather alone can be a major obstacle, since most GLP-1 medications need to be kept refrigerated or at a stable temperature until use. Add in airport security, changing time zones and irregular meals, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But with the right planning, it's entirely possible to travel safely and comfortably while staying on track with your treatment. More from Flow Space 6 Expert Recommended Steps to Take Before the FDA Cracks Down on GLP-1 Drugs Here's what to know before you hit the road or friendly skies this summer. Traveling with GLP-1 medications requires some planning, especially during the summer months. When in room temperature conditions, opened pens can remain at room temperature for up to 28 days. However, if you are traveling by car in the summer heat, it is best to keep your medication in an insulated bag with cooling packs, Dr. Britta Reierson, a board-certified family physician and obesity medicine specialist at metabolic health company knownwell, tells Flow Space. 'Ensure that the packs don't directly touch the medication to avoid freezing,' she says. 'Store the medication out of direct sunlight and heat sources, and if you have overnight stops, use refrigeration whenever possible. You can even consider a portable mini-fridge that can go in the car for longer trips.' And what about while flying? Reierson says if your summer plans have you traveling by air, it is important to always carry your medication in your carry-on luggage to maintain consistent temperature and inform TSA officers that you are carrying injectable medication. Keep the medication in its original packaging with the prescription label. 'Also, use cooling packs to keep the medication cool during the flight,' she adds 'For international travel, I have provided my patients with a letter to present to TSA and customs if required. I recommend checking with state and country specific traveling with medication requirements prior to travel.' GLP-1s are known to cause side effects like nausea, an upset stomach, diarrhea and constipation. Not to mention, most GLP-1s are given via injection, which can sometimes cause pain at the site and might even require a band-aid. Because of this, Reierson recommends packing a 'medication go-bag.' To prepare, she suggests including the following: All prescription medications—enough to cover the entire trip, plus a couple extra days to cover for unexpected travel delays All injection supplies needed Over-the-counter medications, like pain relievers, antihistamines, antacids and anti-diarrheal medications First-aid supplies, such as bandaids, antiseptic and cleaning wipes, antibiotic ointment, sunscreen and insect repellent A printed list of your medications, dosings and a copy of health insurance/dental insurance card And while you may think you've packed and prepared everything needed, it's also important to start preparing your body in the days leading up to your travels. Dr. Shaline Rao, chief of cardiology and vice chair of the Department of Medicine Hospital Operations at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, recommends not starting a new medication or dose change in the days before travel as you may find yourself facing unexpected side effects. She says that with travel comes changes in hydration, frequency of meals, as well as the possibility of nausea or low appetite. If you have strong symptoms or are prone to these types of issues, talk to your physician before traveling for possible supportive care plans. 'For the majority of patients, making sure to stay hydrated, avoid extreme temperatures and eat small meals throughout the day should be sufficient,' she says. 'Making sure to take cues from your body is important. If you need time to rest, take the time you need.' If you forget a dosage during travel it will be easier to manage if you are traveling nationally, not abroad. You may consider transferring your prescription to a local branch of your national chain pharmacy, or contacting your doctor to call in a prescription to a nearby pharmacy. If you are abroad, you may need to find a local pharmacy or healthcare provider to prescribe the medication. 'In some countries you may be able to find GLP-1 medications for purchase without a prescription at a local pharmacy, however it is important to ensure you're buying from a reputable source to avoid counterfeit medications,' says Reierson. And if you fall off your dosing routine during travel? Rao says it is best to consult with your provider for guidance, but in general, you will be able to get back on a routine and be OK. 'If you do not have diabetes, then the consequence of a missed dose or delayed dose is likely low and you can work with your team to set up a resumed schedule,' she says. 'These medications are typically once a week, so the average traveler can get back on track quickly. This is why it is best to travel with extra supplies so as to minimize the stress of changes during travel.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts warn of the Ozempic side effect that can be deadly during America's 'heat dome'
Americans taking Ozempic could be at risk of deadly heat stroke amid soaring temperatures. The US is currently experiencing a 'heat dome,' which occurs when the atmosphere traps hot air over certain areas like a lid on a pot. It's ripping through the Midwest and Northeast, with temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit this week. At temperatures this high, heat stroke could strike in under 15 minutes without proper air conditioning, hydration and shade. And while it's well known that high temperatures make you sweat and lose water, dehydration could strike even quicker for people taking weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Doctors told that while semaglutide and tirzepatide in weight-loss drugs suppress hunger, they may do the same with thirst, as the drugs cause the body to process fluids more slowly, causing less desire to drink. Eating less food also means the body is taking in less water, especially from hydrating summertime favorite foods like watermelon. Without enough water intake, dehydration and heatstroke can set in quickly and lead to cramping, fainting, dizziness, slow pulse, low blood pressure, vomiting, delusional thoughts and behaviors, hallucination and coma. Dr Britta Reierson, a family physician and obesity medicine specialist in at Knownwell, told 'If an individual is experiencing side effects that increase the risk of dehydration, and at the same time are exposed to environmental impacts such as a heat wave when the need for hydration is higher, dehydration can occur much more quickly. 'Heat waves cause increased sweating as the body tries to cool down and maintain a normal body temperature. This additional fluid loss, combined with fluid loss from nausea, vomiting and reduced intake, can lead to severe dehydration and heat related illness if not properly managed.' Around 1,200 Americans die from heat-related causes every year, though officials note the actual number could be 10-fold higher due to underreporting. Meanwhile, about one in eight Americans - around 40million - has reported taking a GLP-1 agonist at some point. GLP-1 agonists mimic the hormone GLP-1, which is released after eating, to slow digestion and increase feelings of fullness. In turn, this leads to eating - and drinking - less. Dr Sandip Sachar, a dentist at Sachar Dental in New York City, said while 'this effect is more pronounced with food emptying, it can also slow the emptying of liquids.' GLP-1 receptors are found in the lamina terminalis, a region of the brain that senses thirst and regulates water balance. Weight-loss drugs may bind to those areas to decrease feelings of thirst, though research on this mechanism is still early. Dr Sachar said: 'Slowing of GI emptying may reduce hunger and also may prevent thirst. Patients have told me that when they feel full, it is more difficult to drink a lot of water.' People taking Ozempic or similar drugs for obesity are also more likely to have conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney disease, all of which raise the risk of dehydration, Dr Reierson said. These conditions may reduce thirst and lead to retention and other fluid imbalances. Ashley Koff, a registered dietitian and founder of the Better Nutrition Program, also told 'When you are taking a medication that slows gastric emptying, dehydration is a concern because the stomach acid and digestive juices, as well as overall metabolism and digestion and elimination, require optimal hydration.' Dr Kavin Mistry, a neuroradiologist and longevity expert, also pointed to common GLP-1 side effects like nausea and vomiting as a cause of dehydration. 'When fluid is not being replaced efficiently, the risk of dehydration increases, particularly in warmer weather when water needs are already higher,' he said. Additionally, eating less food overall also decreases fluid intake. Dr Reierson told this website: 'We often forget that food contributes to our daily water intake and eating less can lead to lower hydration.' Summertime favorites like watermelon, cucumbers and tomatoes are more than 90 percent water and can help boost fluid intake. Dr Sachar also recommends chewing sugar-free gum to increase saliva production, which can stave off dehydration, and steer clear of acidic foods and sugary drinks. And Dr Reierson added: 'I don't recommend that patients at higher risk for dehydration stop or not take a GLP-1 medication, however, it is important to exercise extra caution and work with your healthcare provider to ensure a comprehensive plan and strategy.' Dr Mistry recommends people on weight-loss drugs set reminders to drink water regularly, even if you're not thirsty, and steer clear of drinks like caffeine and alcohol, which are dehydrating.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Dessert stomach' explains why you crave sweets after dinner — even if you're full
You've just devoured a big meal, where you've piled your plate high and are so full that you're considering unbuttoning your pants, and yet the moment someone mentions dessert, you're somehow willing and able to keep eating. It's like your regular stomach says, 'I'm stuffed,' but another part of your stomach chimes in, 'Hold my spoon — I've got this!' Turns out, there may be a scientific reason as to why this happens. It's called 'dessert stomach.' Now, researchers may have uncovered what causes it, and the reason may come as a surprise. Dessert stomach, aka a desire for sweets after a big meal, may not start in your stomach after all. Researchers have found that it actually starts in the brain. A recent study from the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Germany explored the impact of sugar consumption when we are already satiated. The findings pinpointed hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, located in the hypothalamus (the brain region that regulates hormones and governs sensations like hunger, thirst, drowsiness and fullness), as being central to this phenomenon. Specifically, they discovered that the POMC neurons play a dual role. They help us feel full when we've eaten enough, but they also signal a desire for sugary treats afterward, which can lead to overeating. 'Research has shown that the same neurons that are responsible for signaling fullness also trigger cravings for sweets,' Dr. Britta Reierson, a family physician and obesity medicine specialist, tells Yahoo Life. It seems that even just thinking about or seeing sweets can activate these neurons, releasing a chemical called beta-endorphin that triggers feelings of pleasure. 'From an evolutionary perspective, this makes sense: Sugar is rare in nature, but provides quick energy. The brain is programmed to control the intake of sugar whenever it is available," explained Henning Fenselau, research group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research and head of the study, in a press release. 'This craving for dessert even when we are full is a fascinating phenomenon, and it involves a combination of factors,' says Reierson. 'Sugar naturally provides a rapid energy boost. So this drive to consume sugar, even when full, may have been advantageous for survival.' Reierson says there's also a relationship between pleasure and reward. 'The brain's reward system is activated by sugar, releasing pleasure-inducing chemicals that make sugary treats irresistible,' she explains. 'This craving can be even stronger when we perceive or taste dessert, enhancing that desire to eat even when we are full.' If you find dessert stomach coming on after enjoying a filling meal, here are a few creative ways to manage those cravings: 1. Do some strategic sweet swaps If your brain demands sugar, it's OK to give in to it — in moderation. A piece of dark chocolate can be a satisfying sweet that also gives your body a boost of antioxidants. Even a bowl of fresh berries or drizzling honey over Greek or plain yogurt can give you that satisfying sweet taste your body is craving. 2. Chew gum Chewing gum may help curb the desire for more food and help you feel satisfied. Data shows that the simple act of gum chewing for 45 minutes can help suppress cravings, thanks in part to the chewing motion, which signals to your brain a sense of satiety. Studies have also indicated that gum chewing stimulates the release of certain hormones associated with appetite control, making it a simple and effective tool to help manage hunger. 3. Try portion-controlled indulgence Serve yourself a minimal portion, such as a small scoop of ice cream or sorbet, and focus on savoring every bite. Eating slowly helps amplify enjoyment and signals your brain that you're satisfied with less. If you are dining with others, try sharing dessert with your table mates, so you can still enjoy a sweet treat without overdoing it. 4. Bake at home Baking at home provides the perfect opportunity to satisfy your sweet tooth while making healthier choices. For example, you can ensure that your treat doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup, and you add nutrient-dense foods like fruit and nuts. Experiment with recipes that include ingredients like Greek yogurt or fruit purees for added flavor and moisture without relying on unhealthy fats. Your dessert stomach may be hard to ignore sometimes, but with good choices and a little brain trickery, you can strike a sweet balance. Lauren Manaker is a dietitian and author.
