Quick Weight Loss

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure. They cause the blood vessels to relax and become larger and, as a result, blood pressure is lowered. When blood pressure is reduced, the heart has an easier time pumping blood. This is especially beneficial when the heart is failing. ACE inhibitors also cause the process of hypertensive- and diabetes-related kidney diseases to slow down and prevent early deaths associated with high blood pressure. ACE inhibitors cannot be taken during pregnancy since they may cause birth defects. Generic ACE inhibitors are available.

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An antidepressant medication that affects chemicals within the brain that nerves use to send messages to each other. These chemical messengers are called neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters that are released by nerves are taken up again by the nerves that release them for reuse (referred to as reuptake). Many experts believe that depression is caused by an imbalance among the amounts of neurotransmitters that are released. Bupropion is unrelated to other antidepressants. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, resulting in more of these chemicals being available to transmit messages to other nerves. Bupropion is unique in that its major effect is on dopamine. Wellbutrin and Wellbutrin SR are used for the management of depression. Zyban has been approved as an aid to patients who want to quit smoking. Generic is not available.

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Obesity often requires long-term treatment to promote and sustain weight loss. As in other chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, use of prescription medications may be appropriate for some people. While most side effects of prescription medications for obesity are mild, serious complications have been reported (see below.)Keep in mind that these drugs are not a cure-all. The use of weight-loss medications should be combined with physical activity and improved diet to lose and maintain weight successfully over the long term.

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May 13, 2003 — Surgeon experience, and sleep apnea and hypertension in patients are associated with complications after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, a procedure to aid in weight loss by surgically attaching a loop of the small intestine to the stomach, allowing food to bypass the stomach and part of the intestinal tract, according to an article in the May issue of The Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Obesity is a major health problem in the United States, and is estimated to account for approximately 280,000 deaths per year, according to information in the article. Obesity is associated with many other health risks, including hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. RYGB surgery is one of the most commonly offered surgical procedures for the treatment of obesity and appears to offer the best long-term results.