Health Risks of Diet Pills

Health Risks of Diet Pills
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Diet pills contain drugs that facilitate weight loss, as mentioned at MayoClinic.com, the clinic's website, which receives support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Usually diet pills offer a quick and easy way to shed excess fat and body weight. Over-the-counter diet pills are widely available; drugstores, pharmacies, health shops and even supermarkets sell diet pills. Over-the-counter weight-loss aids or diet pills are not subject to rigorous and strict standards compared to prescription drugs, making them potentially harmful. Prescription pills cause less risks since they are administered under a doctor's care.

Abdominal Discomfort

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, an organization supported by the NIH, abdominal discomfort is one of the possible health risks of diet pills. Abdominal or gastrointestinal discomfort can potentially develop when you take Orlistat, an appetite suppressant. Orlistat diet pills can help you lose weight by suppressing the absorption of dietary fats from food. The drug is not absorbed systemically, but rather acts primarily on the gastrointestinal tract. Mild to moderate abdominal cramping and discomfort can accompany taking Orlistat temporarily, most especially for first-time users. This discomfort is aggravated by the intake of high-fat and oily foods.

Palpitations

Palpitation is one of the potential health risks of diet pills, as described in Medline Plus, a website supported by the NIH. Taking sibutramine, an appetite suppressant, increases the risk of developing palpitations or rapid heartbeats. This diet pill suppresses your desire to eat by acting on the appetite control centers of the brain as well as some of its neurotransmitters. Sibutramine can cause you to experience palpitations because of its systemic and centrally acting nature that allows it to permeate the bloodstream and enter the central nervous system. When experiencing palpitations, doctors usually advise the discontinuation of the drug.

Sleeplessness

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, sleeplessness is a possible health risk from diet pills. A common appetite suppressant called phentermine causes sleeplessness and insomnia. Appetite suppressants help you lose weight by altering the number of brain chemicals that control mood and appetite. Phentermine medications can decrease appetite and hunger and at the same time increase the feeling of fullness. Sleeplessness occurs as a result of the drug being a central nervous system stimulant. Similar to other stimulants like caffeine, this diet pill can lead to you experiencing problems with falling asleep, staying asleep and achieving a satisfying state of relaxation.

References

Article reviewed by Knuckles Last updated on: Nov 16, 2010

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