Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists which work by mimicking the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
GLP-1 helps the body produce more insulin when blood sugar is high. It also slows digestion and keeps food in the stomach longer so glucose from food can't get into the blood as quickly. Semaglutide activates receptors for GLP-1, causing the same effects. This leads to better blood sugar control.
Using semaglutide provides several advantages for managing type 2 diabetes:
Semaglutide may be an option for adults with type 2 diabetes who:
Talk to your doctor about whether semaglutide is appropriate for your diabetes management plan.
Beginning semaglutide treatment involves:
Semaglutide is structurally similar to a human hormone called GLP-1 that helps control blood sugar. When injected weekly, semaglutide mimics the effects of GLP-1 leading to better blood sugar control, weight loss, and lower cardiovascular risks in diabetics. It was originally developed for diabetes but has shown promise for treating obesity as well.
Over months to years of treatment, keep the following in mind:
Managing diabetes with semaglutide requires thorough education, training, and medical oversight. Balance Health Clinic has the expertise to guide you through this process with:
To learn more about adding semaglutide to your treatment plan, schedule a consultation at Balance Health Clinic today. Our compassionate, dedicated staff looks forward to helping you achieve better blood sugar control and overall is a 5-topic FAQ with answers (around 500 words) about Semaglutide Injections in markdown format:
Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists that help the pancreas release more insulin after you comes in a prefilled pen device that you use to give yourself injections under the skin of your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. The injection is quick and relatively painless. Most people find it pretty easy to learn how to use the pen properly. The medication is taken once weekly.
There are a few ways that semaglutide works to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes:1. Slows digestion so that sugar from food you eat enters the blood more slowly and doesn't spike blood sugar as much.2. Helps the pancreas make more insulin when your blood sugar goes up after a meal. More insulin means more sugar gets removed from the bloodstream.3. Decreases appetite so you may eat less without feeling hungry or unsatisfied. Eating smaller portions obviously means taking in fewer , these effects result in improved A1c levels, which is a measurement that reflects average blood sugar control over a 2-3 month period.
There are several great benefits to using semaglutide:* Lowers A1c: Semaglutide on average lowers A1c around 1-2% in clinical trials which is significant in diabetes management. This brings many people into the target range.* Weight loss: Most people lose some weight taking semaglutide which also helps diabetes control and heart health. Average loss is 10-15 lbs.* Lowers heart disease risk: Beyond glucose control and weight loss, semaglutide also lowers blood pressure and improves cholesterol.* Single injection per week: Unlike many other diabetes meds taken 1-2x daily, semaglutide is just once a week.
The most common side effects of semaglutide are related to the digestive system since it slows food breakdown. These usually happen early on and resolve within a month or so.* Nausea - This is the most frequent problem, but tends to improve over 4-8 weeks. Taking the shots with food can help.* Vomiting - This affects around 6% of people. As with nausea it tends to resolve.* Diarrhea - About 12% of patients get diarrhea. It's also typically temporary.* Decreased appetite - This is actually beneficial for weight loss, but let your doctor know if it's are some other rare side effects so speak to your healthcare provider about any concerns.
Compared head-to-head against several other common type 2 diabetes meds like metformin, sulfonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors, etc, research shows that semaglutide lowers A1c and body weight more than all those other single benefits of excellent blood sugar control, weight loss, and heart protections make semaglutide a very appealing choice for many people. It does require a weekly injection which some people dislike compared to taking pills. But many feel the pros outweigh this course speak with your doctor about whether semaglutide is the right medication for your individual situation and health profile. But for most people it is an excellent addition to their diabetes regimen.
