Clipping Board » Medical Harm ─ Unnecessary or inappropriate medical procedures can also cause harm.
ETtoday News – August 4, 2015
Some weight-loss clinics avoid using the standard weight-loss drug "Xenical" and instead opt for what is colloquially known as "cocktail therapy" weight-loss drugs. One woman, Ms. Chang, who took these drugs for two years, shared her experience. She suffered from severe edema, hormonal imbalances, and nearly ended up needing dialysis. She deeply regrets her decision.
These colorful weight-loss pills still frighten 25-year-old Ms. Chang to this day. Just a year ago, she was taking 18 pills daily. Within just two weeks, she lost 4 kilograms rapidly, but the price of her slim figure nearly cost her kidneys. Ms. Chang, a weight-loss patient, said: "When the doctor told me I might need dialysis at worst, I was completely shocked and terrified. I even broke down in tears. Suddenly, I felt like I was just one step away from an unhealthy body." Her body sent her warning signs—first severe facial swelling, constant acne, then hormonal imbalances that caused her to gain 10 kilograms, and finally, her kidneys were nearly damaged.
What kind of terrifying drugs did Ms. Chang take? It turns out the medications used by weight-loss clinics mainly fall into three categories. The first is antidepressants to suppress appetite. More aggressive treatments include thyroid hormones and ephedrine, referred to by doctors as "exercise drugs," which speed up the heart rate to boost metabolism. Lastly, laxatives are used to induce diarrhea for rapid weight loss. However, what doctors don’t mention is that these drugs can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, and in severe cases, trigger arrhythmia or even death. Dr. Hsiao Dun-ren, Chairman of the Obesity Research Society, said: "Off-label use isn’t prohibited, but the possible side effects must be clearly explained. Once the patient understands, they must sign a consent form."
You might ask, isn’t there the approved weight-loss drug Xenical? Pharmacist Shen Tsai-ying explained: "Xenical can cause oil leakage. Some people experience oily discharge when passing gas, which makes some patients reluctant to use it."
Although Xenical is safe, its effects are slow—patients may lose only up to 5 kilograms in six months. Dissatisfied with the slow progress, many turn to weight-loss clinics that offer so-called "cocktail therapy" for rapid weight loss. Additionally, these drugs are very cheap, costing just 2 to 3 dollars per pill. Clinics charge patients anywhere from a thousand to four or five thousand dollars per visit. Driven by profit, this has become an open secret in the weight-loss industry. Those who risk their health for beauty may end up bearing the consequences themselves.
Source: https:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E……A% AA% E6% B3% 95- 061426703. html
"Almost Ruined My Life" – A Two-Year Weight Loss Pill Journey
Some weight-loss clinics avoid using the standard weight-loss drug "Xenical" and instead opt for what is colloquially known as "cocktail therapy" weight-loss drugs. One woman, Ms. Chang, who took these drugs for two years, shared her experience. She suffered from severe edema, hormonal imbalances, and nearly ended up needing dialysis. She deeply regrets her decision.
These colorful weight-loss pills still frighten 25-year-old Ms. Chang to this day. Just a year ago, she was taking 18 pills daily. Within just two weeks, she lost 4 kilograms rapidly, but the price of her slim figure nearly cost her kidneys. Ms. Chang, a weight-loss patient, said: "When the doctor told me I might need dialysis at worst, I was completely shocked and terrified. I even broke down in tears. Suddenly, I felt like I was just one step away from an unhealthy body." Her body sent her warning signs—first severe facial swelling, constant acne, then hormonal imbalances that caused her to gain 10 kilograms, and finally, her kidneys were nearly damaged.
What kind of terrifying drugs did Ms. Chang take? It turns out the medications used by weight-loss clinics mainly fall into three categories. The first is antidepressants to suppress appetite. More aggressive treatments include thyroid hormones and ephedrine, referred to by doctors as "exercise drugs," which speed up the heart rate to boost metabolism. Lastly, laxatives are used to induce diarrhea for rapid weight loss. However, what doctors don’t mention is that these drugs can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, and in severe cases, trigger arrhythmia or even death. Dr. Hsiao Dun-ren, Chairman of the Obesity Research Society, said: "Off-label use isn’t prohibited, but the possible side effects must be clearly explained. Once the patient understands, they must sign a consent form."
You might ask, isn’t there the approved weight-loss drug Xenical? Pharmacist Shen Tsai-ying explained: "Xenical can cause oil leakage. Some people experience oily discharge when passing gas, which makes some patients reluctant to use it."
Although Xenical is safe, its effects are slow—patients may lose only up to 5 kilograms in six months. Dissatisfied with the slow progress, many turn to weight-loss clinics that offer so-called "cocktail therapy" for rapid weight loss. Additionally, these drugs are very cheap, costing just 2 to 3 dollars per pill. Clinics charge patients anywhere from a thousand to four or five thousand dollars per visit. Driven by profit, this has become an open secret in the weight-loss industry. Those who risk their health for beauty may end up bearing the consequences themselves.
Source: https:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E……A% AA% E6% B3% 95- 061426703. html