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Ozempic is a drug that has been taking over the weight loss industry, and at the same time popularizing a whole set of side effects that it has become associated with. The most common set of side effects are stomach related, and those side effects can be anywhere from mild to severe. And of course, even if a medication helps you out in some ways, it might not feel worth it to use it depending on the side effects it can cause, and diarrhea isn’t a very pleasant side effect, especially when it happens all the time.
There are many positives that make Ozempic an attractive option, but like every medication, it can come with some major drawbacks, and those drawbacks often include stomach related issues. Those stomach issues can include anything from nausea to diarrhea, and they can be anywhere from mild to severe. So if the potential for diarrhea is a big deal for you when you take medication, make sure to keep reading to get the details on Ozempic and its common side effect, diarrhea.
Ozempic: How It Works
Ozempic is a type II diabetes drug that is also used for weight loss in many cases. It has been popularized because of its astronomical effects on weight loss. If you have seen any celebrity lose a significant amount of weight in recent years, it has likely at least been rumored that they used Ozempic. And for many of them, they definitely have. Ozempic has been trimming waistlines right before our eyes in TV and magazines everywhere, and is increasingly slimming the waistlines of the people around us.
Ozempic is the brand name of an active ingredient called semaglutide. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a substance used as a replacement for the GLP-1 hormone that the body lacks. Without Ozempic, in a healthy body, GLP-1 is released into the intestines as soon as you eat, and it helps control your body’s blood sugar levels by prompting the release of insulin. Though when someone has type II diabetes, the GLP-1 in their body doesn’t function the same. GLP-1 receptor agonists will enter your system and do what the natural GLP-1 in the body isn’t doing.
And on top of all of that, semaglutide also works to reduce the appetite. One way that it does this is by inducing a feeling of fullness in the stomach. It forces the hormone levels in the body to rise and then to travel up to the brain to give it the fullness signal. That way, you feel a lot fuller a lot sooner than normal. Ozempic also slows down the digestion process, which is another way that it makes you feel full for longer. Since the food you eat will be in your system for a whole lot longer, it will take more time than usual for you to feel hunger again.
Who Qualifies For Ozempic?
Getting an Ozempic prescription requires a doctor’s appointment. This isn’t the type of drug that you can buy off the shelves, and you even need to fit a certain criteria to get it. So what kind of people qualify to take Ozempic?
People with Type II Diabetes
People who have type II diabetes are a prime candidate for Ozempic. Ozempic mimics a substance in the body that prompts the production of insulin, which can have their systems functioning almost the way they did pre-diabetes. In this case it would be a bonus if you also had weight to lose.
People with A BMI of Over 30
Another way to qualify for an Ozempic prescription is to have a BMI over 30. With a BMI that high, Ozempic would bring you down to a healthier weight, and a lot faster than many other methods you could try. This is something that can prevent even more invasive weight loss measures that may be recommended at this stage, like gastric bypass surgery.
People with A BMI of Over 27 (Plus Weight Related Illnesses)
Another stipulation for an Ozempic prescription is to have a BMI of 27 and up as long as it comes with weight related illnesses attached. A BMI of over 27 is considered overweight, but not by too much, so weight related illnesses will push you over the edge towards a prescription. Some of those weight related illnesses can include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, or sleep apnea. You can also provide proof that an illness that isn’t typically weight related was caused by your weight.
What Are Ozempic’s Side Effects?
Ozempic has the potential to cause one or many side effects, and all of them range from mild to severe. A large percentage of users will experience one or more of them. Some of these symptoms will go away with time and some could be there to stay. It is up to you to decide if Ozempic’s side effects are worth it for you.
Ozempic is more likely to have an effect on your digestive system than anything else, and these symptoms aren’t likely to last. Some Ozempic users experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation for the first few months of using it. Ozempic’s digestive symptoms mostly take place in the beginning of treatment or when upping your dosage, so it most likely won’t be chronic. Once your body gets a hang of Ozempic, unpleasant digestive symptoms, like diarrhea, should go away.
What Is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a common condition that can come on for the most miniscule reasons. Many people experience a bout of diarrhea after eating bad food, after catching the stomach flu, or even after drinking too much. It is an uncomfortable condition that can even lead to dehydration down the line if it goes on for far too long. Diarrhea causes loose or watery stools, and those stools often occur more than usual. Someone suffering from diarrhea usually has to go to the bathroom several times. Sometimes they don’t even know when it will end.
Constipation can be caused by several things. It can be caused by a change in diet, medical condition, changes in routine, and medication. It can also be caused by chronic or brief illnesses. It can cause abdominal pain and bloating as well as all the other symptoms, and it can be painful to deal with, but there are potential solutions.
Ozempic and Diarrhea?
One of the main side effects of Ozempic use is diarrhea, so if you are going to take Ozempic, you have to keep the possibility in mind. Bowel related issues are very common for people who take Ozempic. The most common one is nausea, but diarrhea isn’t too far behind on the list. It is in fact one of the most common symptoms related to Ozempic use. And any stomach related symptom that comes with Ozempic is supposed to be present for a few weeks at a time. And that is usually when you first start taking it, or when you up your dosage. So even if diarrhea winds up being a major problem for you when you take Ozempic, it shouldn’t be for long. But in the meantime, if you have started Ozempic and happen to be in the midst of an episode, there might be a few things you can do to help remedy the situation.
But how likely are you to experience diarrhea if you take Ozempic? Studies have shown that about 1 in 12 people who took Ozempic suffered from diarrhea at some point in the treatment. But there is good news for those who suffer diarrhea on Ozempic without any additional symptoms. Diarrhea is one of the most short term gastrolienal side effects that come with Ozempic. While nausea can last for weeks on end when you take Ozempic, if you only have diarrhea to contend with, the episode can go away after just a week.
How to Solve Diarrhea
Diarrhea isn’t something pleasant to deal with even if you don’t expect it to be around for long. In the realm of drug related side effects, a week is relatively short, but when you’re the one with diarrhea, a week can seem to drag on and on. So even though you can’t stop a side effect from coming, there are things you can do to help temper it a bit. Sometimes just a slight fix can be what it takes to go from running to the toilet ten times in a day to just five. And when you have bowel related issues, just a few less painful bathroom trips in a day can make a world of difference. So if you are struggling to manage diarrhea in the moment, try these tips:
Get Enough Fluids
One thing that you need to watch out for when you have diarrhea is your fluid intake. Getting enough fluids will actually help with diarrhea. Diarrhea causes you to lose so much in fluids, it is imperative that you get them back into your body in whichever ways that you can. And if drinking enough isn’t often something that is on your mind, make sure to carry a water bottle around with you and remind yourself to keep on sipping.
Eat Bland Foods
One way to avoid further discomfort when you already have diarrhea is to eat bland foods. Unlike spicy foods, bland foods won’t give you any more trouble when you have to run in and out of the bathroom all day. Bland foods can ease your comfort in times of duress on the toilet by not adding to your pain.
Avoid Certain Foods
Now while eating bland foods can be a good idea, you don’t have to go all out and abandon all flavor. You can still eat foods with flavor and not worsen your diarrhea, but there are some foods that you absolutely should try to avoid. Those foods include alcohol, caffeinated drinks, full-fat dairy, along with greasy foods like burgers and fried chicken. These foods can all have an effect on your bowels despite not being outright spicy.
Take Probiotics
Something else that can help the way your stomach functions are probiotics. Probiotics aren’t going to outright fix your diarrhea, but they will add good gut bacteria into your system and balance them out with the bad bacteria. They won’t stop the diarrhea outright, but probiotics can play a role in helping it stop sooner.
Take Collagen
One supplement that can do a lot to heal the gut over time is collagen. Collagen contains essential building blocks that your stomach needs to consistently build and repair itself, so it also won’t stop diarrhea in its tracks, but can help heal your gut to ease symptoms over time.
For a healthy dose of collagen, try Dr. Emil’s Multi Collagen Plus. This collagen supplement has a number of great gut benefits that will be beneficial to receive over time. It contains five different types of collagen, which can do a lot to heal the gut. This fast absorbing formula contains premium grass fed beef and releases high doses of collagen per capsule. And even if you don’t feel results during the worst of your Ozempic symptoms, you can rest easy knowing that your stomach will still be healthier in the long run.
Ozempic is a drug that comes with gastrolienal side effects like diarrhea, but if you are willing to put up with them, you can ride it out until it finally ends while you wait to get your intended results. Diarrhea won’t stop you from chasing your body or health goals as long as you don’t allow it to.
