Latest news with #OlaOtulana
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Alert for travellers on weight-loss jabs going to the airport as they risk 'serious trouble'
Without these two documents, your weight-loss medication could get confiscated or you could be held by the authorities if you try to import it Travel and health experts are advising individuals taking weight-loss injections to exercise caution when travelling abroad, as these medications are prohibited or heavily restricted in certain countries. Despite being approved for use in the UK, including the recent NHS rollout of Mounjaro, other nations have not sanctioned their use, which could lead to confiscation or even detention if attempted to be imported. Experts recommend researching the regulations of your destination and taking necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted treatment. NHS GP Dr Asimah Hanif explained: "There are countries where weight loss injections are restricted or banned - unlike the UK where they are more widely accepted. "For example if you were to go to the UAE you would need pre-approval from the Ministry of Health. Or if you were to go to Japan, you would require an import certificate. "In Singapore - you would need approval from the health services authority before travel. There are many ways you can prepare yourself according to the country you're travelling to. "This will ensure a smooth journey and also allow you to continue administering your weight loss injections." This is especially critical for individuals relying on these injections for diabetes management, in addition to weight loss. GP Dr Ola Otulana has stated: "At the moment weight loss injections such as semaglutide are widely prescribed in the UK for diabetes management and now more recently for weight management. However, people may not realise that rules can differ significantly abroad as in some countries (in Asia and the Middle East), medications like semaglutide can be heavily regulated or banned entirely if they are not licensed for weight loss there. "Even in places where they are legal, carrying injectable medications without a letter from a doctor and proof of prescription can raise issues at customs, which may lead to items being confiscated." "If you are prescribed a weight loss injection in the UK and are planning to travel, the safest approach is to check the embassy website of your destination country in advance to confirm the rules on your medication. You should also carry your prescription, a formal letter from your GP explaining the indication and dosing, and also keep the medication in its original packaging. "Some countries require you to declare any injectable or controlled medications when you arrive. Prepare and bring any necessary documentation to avoid stress while travelling / abroad and talk to your GP or pharmacist before travelling." Travellers have reported encountering problems in several countries where these jabs - and other medicines - could potentially land you in hot water, reports Bristol Live. Isheeta Borkarm, co-owner of Travelicious Couple, warned: " Weight-loss injections like Wegovy are legal and widely used in the UK, but they're not allowed everywhere else. "We've come across a few countries where bringing them in could actually get you into serious trouble. For example, Japan has extremely strict rules around medication import. "Even certain asthma inhalers are banned, so bringing in injectable weight-loss medication, especially with a needle, without prior approval could lead to confiscation or worse. Singapore requires prior authorisation for any injectable medication. "We've heard in Thailand even prescription drugs can be flagged at customs if the paperwork isn't clear." Experts recommend five steps for those travelling with weight loss jabs: 1. You should check embassy websites for the latest information 2. Carry your prescription and a letter from your doctor (ideally stating dosage and medical necessity). 3. Declare it at customs. 4. Avoid packing injectables in carry-ons. Use the original packaging and keep medication with their official labelling. 5. Some of these medications need refrigeration. Call hotels in advance to ensure they had a minibar fridge.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
You need two documents to take common drug on holiday this year
Experts warn your medication could be confiscated and you could be held by the authorities Travel and health experts have warned anyone taking weight-loss jabs to check before they go on holiday as they are banned or restricted in some countries. Mounjaro has been released for use as a weight-loss jab on the NHS in the UK and other jabs are available to buy privately. But while weight-loss medication is legal in the UK, other countries have not approved it - meaning it could be confiscated or you could be held by the authorities if you try to import it. Travel and health experts have explained what you need to do if you want to take your weight-loss jabs abroad this summer. NHS GP Dr Asimah Hanif said: "There are countries where weight loss injections are restricted or banned - unlike the UK where they are more widely accepted. For example, if you were to go to the UAE, you would need pre-approval from the Ministry of Health. Or if you were to go to Japan, you would require an import certificate. "In Singapore - you would need approval from the health services authority before travel. There are many ways you can prepare yourself according to the country you're travelling to. This will ensure a smooth journey and also allow you to continue administering your weight loss injections." The jabs are often used for their original purpose - managing diabetes - as well as being taken for weight loss. This can mean there is an even more urgent need to keep talking them. GP Dr Ola Otulana said: "At the moment weight loss injections such as semaglutide are widely prescribed in the UK for diabetes management and now more recently for weight management. However people may not realise that rules can differ significantly abroad as in some countries (in Asia and the Middle East), medications like semaglutide can be heavily regulated or banned entirely if they are not licensed for weight loss there. "Even in places where they are legal, carrying injectable medications without a letter from a doctor and proof of prescription can raise issues at customs, which may lead to items being confiscated. "If you are prescribed a weight loss injection in the UK and are planning to travel, the safest approach is to check the embassy website of your destination country in advance to confirm the rules on your medication. You should also carry your prescription, a formal letter from your GP explaining the indication and dosing, and also keep the medication in its original packaging. Some countries require you to declare any injectable or controlled medications when you arrive. Prepare and bring any necessary documentation to avoid stress while travelling / abroad and talk to your GP or pharmacist before travelling." Travellers say they have come across a number of countries where the jabs - and other medication - can land you in trouble. Isheeta Borkarm co-owner of Travelicious Couple, said: "Weight-loss injections like Wegovy are legal and widely used in the UK, but they're not allowed everywhere else. We've come across a few countries where bringing them in could actually get you into serious trouble. "For example, Japan has extremely strict rules around medication import. Even certain asthma inhalers are banned, so bringing in injectable weight-loss medication, especially with a needle, without prior approval could lead to confiscation or worse. Singapore requires prior authorisation for any injectable medication. We've heard in Thailand even prescription drugs can be flagged at customs if the paperwork isn't clear." Five steps to take if travelling with weight loss jabs: 1. You should check embassy websites for the latest information 2. Carry your prescription and a letter from your doctor (ideally stating dosage and medical necessity). 3. Declare it at customs. 4. Avoid packing injectables in carry-ons. Use the original packaging and keep medication with their official labelling. 5. Some of these medications need refrigeration. Call hotels in advance to ensure they had a minibar fridge.
Tom's Guide
18-06-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
My phone is wrecking my sleep — and it has nothing to do with blue light
After an exhausting day, I get comfortable in bed, pick up my phone and allow myself some guilt-free scrolling time. Suddenly, I'm bombarded with people living in war zones, missiles landing in cities and families being detained. But between each harrowing clip are slightly surreal videos of AI cats, influencers videoing their new product hauls and comedy sketches. It's a bizarre and unnerving feeling as my brain tries to navigate the correct emotional response to each three second reel before my finger is swiping upward to the next piece of content. It's no surprise that I'm feeling anxious at night and overstimulated when I'm trying to fall asleep And recently, as the constant news cycle becomes even more deplorable and we're getting real-time, real-life footage from those at the scene, it has become unbearable. I can't help but worry we're doing real damage to our brains by consuming content in this way, and I'm scared it'll desensitize us to the suffering of others. But right now, I'm experiencing one consequence of using my phone in this way first-hand. My sleep is struggling. It's no surprise that I'm feeling anxious at night and overstimulated when I'm trying to fall asleep, and now my dreams are taking a turn for the worse. So, I've decided to ban my phone an hour before bed time. And no, this isn't burying my head in the sand, it's simply prioritizing sleep, and therefore, my mental and physical health. I've spoken to Dr. Ola Otulana, a GP and physician, and Dr. Emma Lin, a board-certified Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist, to find out about the real impact social media and the constantly-updated news apps have on our sleep and how we can ensure we're getting a good sleep every night. 'Flicking through a mix of emotionally charged and often distressing content on Instagram keeps the brain in a hyper stimulated state,' says Dr. Otulana. 'It mimics a state of alertness making it harder for the mind to transition into rest.' So, if your nighttime routine is anything like mine was, I'd recommend ditching social media. Dr. Lin says that in this state, it's impossible to relax. "Your brain is too busy thinking, reading, responding, scheming," she says. "Sleep is a still brain." 'Reading distressing news before bed activates the body's stress response,' says Dr. Otulana.. Reading distressing news before bed activates the body's stress response 'It raises your cortisol levels, keeps the sympathetic nervous system engaged, and increases mental arousal,' he adds. Cortisol is the hormone released in the mornings to help wake us up. If this is released at night, the effect can be bad. 'This delays sleep onset, reduces sleep quality, and often leads to fragmented or dream disrupted sleep. The brain essentially stays in a defensive mode rather than shifting into recovery.' And Dr. Lin has seen this in her patients. 'I have seen many insomniacs who don't realize that their evening activity of reading the newspaper is part of their issue,' she says. With the availability of 24-hour news on our phones, it's only going to get worse Why do we love scrolling? Turns out, it's literally addictive. 'When you're scrolling through all these different posts at a high rate of speed, you're getting little bits of dopamine to the brain,' explains Dr. Lin. 'That is a brain chemical that makes you feel excited. But too much of that too close to bedtime leaves the brain alert,' she adds. 'It's like your brain is wired, but your body is tired.' It's like your brain is wired, but your body is tired Dr. Otulana agrees. 'Phone use keeps the mind cognitively active as well. Whether you're reading, reacting, or scrolling, your brain stays alert and engaged,' he says. 'This mental stimulation can delay the natural rise of melatonin and interrupt your body's circadian rhythm and also increase the likelihood of restless sleep," the doctor adds. "Even without blue light it is the content and interaction that overstimulate the brain.' This explains my vivid and disturbing dreams recently and a feeling like I'm 'on' all the time. Even when I wake up in the night I'm not groggy, I feel awake instantly. Delaying the rise in melatonin can make it difficult to fall asleep. You're less likely to feel naturally tired, and once your circadian rhythm is dysregulated, you can expect energy dips throughout the day, too. At night, we cycle through different sleep stages and each plays an important role in our mental and physical health. REM sleep, the stage in which you dream, helps process emotions and consolidate memory. Getting enough REM sleep improves our mental resilience which is key for better mental health. If you miss out on this sleep stage, you're likely to struggle the next day. But this is also a two-way relationship. Mental health struggles like depression and anxiety can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, disrupting our sleep cycle and reducing the time we spend in each sleep stage. Ultimately, this can lead to a cycle of poor sleep and poor mental health that's hard to break. This is why it's essential you prioritize your rest and recovery. If you're already struggling, a stream of over stimulating content isn't going to help. So, take a leaf out of my book. If you want to keep your phone with you before bed for important messages, mute the notifications from your social media and news apps, or even hide them from your home screen all together. Turn off news and social media at least an hour before bed 'Turn off news and social media at least an hour before bed,' advises Dr. Otulana. He says to 'Replace scrolling with calming activities, reading, taking a warm shower, or gentle stretching.' Creating a relaxing nighttime routine can be a great way to tell your mind and body it's time to unwind. 'If your mind is racing, write down your thoughts in a notebook. Creating a consistent, calming bedtime routine helps signal to the body that it's time to wind down,' the doctor advises.
