Latest news with #knownwell
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Traveling With Ozempic This Summer? Here's What Doctors Want You to Know
Traveling while taking a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic or Wegovy comes with its own set of challenges, and those challenges only multiply in the summer. Whether you're navigating a heat wave, spending hours on a plane or just trying to keep up with your summer routine, it's not always easy to stay consistent with your medication or manage potential side effects like nausea and fatigue. Hot weather alone can be a major obstacle, since most GLP-1 medications need to be kept refrigerated or at a stable temperature until use. Add in airport security, changing time zones and irregular meals, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But with the right planning, it's entirely possible to travel safely and comfortably while staying on track with your treatment. More from Flow Space 6 Expert Recommended Steps to Take Before the FDA Cracks Down on GLP-1 Drugs Here's what to know before you hit the road or friendly skies this summer. Traveling with GLP-1 medications requires some planning, especially during the summer months. When in room temperature conditions, opened pens can remain at room temperature for up to 28 days. However, if you are traveling by car in the summer heat, it is best to keep your medication in an insulated bag with cooling packs, Dr. Britta Reierson, a board-certified family physician and obesity medicine specialist at metabolic health company knownwell, tells Flow Space. 'Ensure that the packs don't directly touch the medication to avoid freezing,' she says. 'Store the medication out of direct sunlight and heat sources, and if you have overnight stops, use refrigeration whenever possible. You can even consider a portable mini-fridge that can go in the car for longer trips.' And what about while flying? Reierson says if your summer plans have you traveling by air, it is important to always carry your medication in your carry-on luggage to maintain consistent temperature and inform TSA officers that you are carrying injectable medication. Keep the medication in its original packaging with the prescription label. 'Also, use cooling packs to keep the medication cool during the flight,' she adds 'For international travel, I have provided my patients with a letter to present to TSA and customs if required. I recommend checking with state and country specific traveling with medication requirements prior to travel.' GLP-1s are known to cause side effects like nausea, an upset stomach, diarrhea and constipation. Not to mention, most GLP-1s are given via injection, which can sometimes cause pain at the site and might even require a band-aid. Because of this, Reierson recommends packing a 'medication go-bag.' To prepare, she suggests including the following: All prescription medications—enough to cover the entire trip, plus a couple extra days to cover for unexpected travel delays All injection supplies needed Over-the-counter medications, like pain relievers, antihistamines, antacids and anti-diarrheal medications First-aid supplies, such as bandaids, antiseptic and cleaning wipes, antibiotic ointment, sunscreen and insect repellent A printed list of your medications, dosings and a copy of health insurance/dental insurance card And while you may think you've packed and prepared everything needed, it's also important to start preparing your body in the days leading up to your travels. Dr. Shaline Rao, chief of cardiology and vice chair of the Department of Medicine Hospital Operations at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, recommends not starting a new medication or dose change in the days before travel as you may find yourself facing unexpected side effects. She says that with travel comes changes in hydration, frequency of meals, as well as the possibility of nausea or low appetite. If you have strong symptoms or are prone to these types of issues, talk to your physician before traveling for possible supportive care plans. 'For the majority of patients, making sure to stay hydrated, avoid extreme temperatures and eat small meals throughout the day should be sufficient,' she says. 'Making sure to take cues from your body is important. If you need time to rest, take the time you need.' If you forget a dosage during travel it will be easier to manage if you are traveling nationally, not abroad. You may consider transferring your prescription to a local branch of your national chain pharmacy, or contacting your doctor to call in a prescription to a nearby pharmacy. If you are abroad, you may need to find a local pharmacy or healthcare provider to prescribe the medication. 'In some countries you may be able to find GLP-1 medications for purchase without a prescription at a local pharmacy, however it is important to ensure you're buying from a reputable source to avoid counterfeit medications,' says Reierson. And if you fall off your dosing routine during travel? Rao says it is best to consult with your provider for guidance, but in general, you will be able to get back on a routine and be OK. 'If you do not have diabetes, then the consequence of a missed dose or delayed dose is likely low and you can work with your team to set up a resumed schedule,' she says. 'These medications are typically once a week, so the average traveler can get back on track quickly. This is why it is best to travel with extra supplies so as to minimize the stress of changes during travel.'
Business Wire
01-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
seca Launches mBCA Alpha to Further Integrate Body Composition Screening into Primary Care
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- seca, the global leader in medical measuring and weighing, today announced the latest addition to its line of advanced body composition analyzers, mBCA Alpha (Alpha), a compact, portable scanner specifically designed for use in a primary care setting. This new product further enhances seca's transformation from a measuring and weighing company to a modern technology-first solutions partner, making body composition screenings more accessible to all providers–not just specialists. Utilizing validated bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), Alpha delivers a complete picture of a patient's body composition in just 24 seconds. seca's Alpha will assist providers in monitoring and flagging health measures such as early signs of excess adiposity, age-related muscle decline, and the total body impact of medications such as GLP-1s. The Alpha scanner is powered by the company's proprietary Analytics 125 platform, granting healthcare providers access to cloud-based reporting, seca's Treatment Tracker, and an app for patients that enables real-time data access. Before the launch of a solution tailored to primary care providers, teams were forced to rely on methods like weight and body mass indexing (BMI) to understand their patients' risk for chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome, which been criticized as an outdated, misleading, and even racially biased method of measuring health. Alpha's integration of body composition into primary care allows providers to gather more accurate and previously inaccessible insights into body fat, muscle mass, and visceral fat. This enables care teams to make more data-driven diagnoses, treatment, and long-term health monitoring decisions. 'We are witnessing a clinical transformation as clinicians and patients realize that BMI is no longer enough,' said Nina Crowley, PhD, RD, Director of Clinical Education and Partnerships at seca. 'As the industry shifts toward embracing a longitudinal care model that prioritizes precision, personalization, and prevention, we must ensure teams have innovative solutions that allow them to succeed in the care of their patients. Alpha was built to reflect how today's clinicians work–quickly, accurately, and intuitively.' Alpha and the rest of seca's bioimpedance technology solutions are among the most clinically validated in the world, with 97 percent correlation to a whole-body MRI and 98 percent agreement with the gold-standard 4-compartment model for fat mass. By building its solutions on a foundation of scientific rigor, seca ensures that providers make decisions based on the highest-quality data available. 'As a primary care clinician and obesity medicine specialist, I'm a firm believer in the impact regular body composition screenings can have on patient care,' said Dr. Angela Fitch, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of knownwell, a primary care company that uses seca's body composition scan for patients at its Boston and Dallas clinics. 'Rather than reference an outdated measurement like BMI, enabling patients to access body composition scans at their primary care appointments can help them engage in more meaningful conversations with their clinicians about their health goals and appropriate next steps to achieve them, resulting in better treatment outcomes.' The launch of Alpha follows the company's introduction of Treatment Tracker, an industry-first solution that integrates a patient's treatment plan with their body composition results on a single platform to monitor clinical interventions, visualize changes, and modify treatment plans in real-time. For more information about seca and its suite of body composition solutions transforming care, please visit About seca seca, the global leader in medical body composition and weighing solutions, empowers healthcare providers with advanced technology that goes beyond weight and BMI to support comprehensive obesity care. With over 185 years of German engineering, seca sets the standard for precision, innovation, and reliability in medical measurement. Trusted worldwide in obesity medicine, bariatrics, and metabolic health, seca's scientifically validated body composition analyzers provide clinicians with key insights into fat mass, muscle mass, and hydration—helping optimize patient outcomes. seca's solutions integrate seamlessly into clinical workflows, ensuring accurate, data-driven care.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Primary care firm knownwell joins LillyDirect to offer weight-management services
(Reuters) -Primary care company knownwell said on Wednesday it will provide health and weight-management services on Eli Lilly's direct-to-consumer online healthcare platform, LillyDirect. Patients on LillyDirect will have access to physicians from knownwell for personalized services, knownwell said. The company offers in-person and virtual primary care, nutrition counseling and behavioral health services, covered through patients' insurance. CONTEXT Eli Lilly last month expanded its LillyDirect platform to include telehealth providers to diagnose and care for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Telehealth firms have been partnering with LillyDirect to offer Lilly's weight-loss drug, Zepbound. These companies have been on the lookout for an avenue to sell highly popular weight-loss drugs, as the compounded drugs industry faces increasing restrictions on making copies of the treatments. While Zepbound and rival Novo Nordisk's Wegovy were in shortage, several telehealth firms sold the drugs' cheaper copies. The branded drugs have since been removed from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's shortage list. KEY QUOTE "LillyDirect continues to expand our listing of independent care provider options to benefit patients," Lilly said in an emailed statement. The drugmaker added that "LillyDirect continues to evaluate additional independent care providers for inclusion in an effort to improve patient choice and access to quality care." Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
02-04-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Primary care firm knownwell joins LillyDirect to offer weight-management services
April 2 (Reuters) - Primary care company knownwell said on Wednesday it will provide health and weight-management services on Eli Lilly's (LLY.N), opens new tab direct-to-consumer online healthcare platform, LillyDirect. Patients on LillyDirect will have access to physicians from knownwell for personalized services, knownwell said. The company offers in-person and virtual primary care, nutrition counseling and behavioral health services, covered through patients' insurance. Eli Lilly last month expanded its LillyDirect platform to include telehealth providers to diagnose and care for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Telehealth firms have been partnering with LillyDirect to offer Lilly's weight-loss drug, Zepbound. These companies have been on the lookout for an avenue to sell highly popular weight-loss drugs, as the compounded drugs industry faces increasing restrictions on making copies of the treatments. While Zepbound and rival Novo Nordisk's ( opens new tab Wegovy were in shortage, several telehealth firms sold the drugs' cheaper copies. The branded drugs have since been removed from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's shortage list. "LillyDirect continues to expand our listing of independent care provider options to benefit patients," Lilly said in an emailed statement. The drugmaker added that "LillyDirect continues to evaluate additional independent care providers for inclusion in an effort to improve patient choice and access to quality care."
