"Stabbing Pain" Should Not Be Ignored... This Disease Linked to Obesity Injections Can Damage Organs [Kok! Health]

Severe Pain Stabbing the Upper Abdomen or Left Upper Quadrant
Seek Immediate Medical Attention if Pain Radiates to the Side or Back
Highest Risk in the First Month of Injection
"Rapid Weight Loss Also Requires Caution"

Nausea or indigestion caused by GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) obesity injections has become quite familiar. However, if that "abdominal discomfort" feels different than usual, it should not be ignored. If you experience severe pain stabbing your upper abdomen or left upper quadrant, accompanied by radiating pain extending to your side or back, you should suspect acute pancreatitis.

According to the medical community on April 25, a large-scale meta-analysis of GLP-1 injection users showed a slight increase in the risk of developing pancreatitis. In particular, a study analyzing adverse event reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that about 30% of related cases were reported within the first month of injection, and about half within three months. This is why it is crucial to monitor your condition especially carefully during the early stages of starting these injections.

Why can pancreatitis occur after receiving obesity injections? According to Professor Lee Siyoung, Department of Gastroenterology at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, the main culprit is not direct pancreatic damage from the drug itself, but rather 'rapid weight loss.' When weight drops quickly (more than 1.5 kg per week), cholesterol secretion from the liver increases, while decreased food intake leads to reduced bile secretion and gallbladder movement. GLP-1 injections further slow down biliary movement, creating an environment conducive to gallstone formation. If these gallstones block the pancreatic duct, it can lead to acute pancreatitis.

Professor Lee explained, "In pancreatitis, abdominal pain worsens when lying flat and eases when the body is curled forward. If the pain is not limited to the abdomen but radiates to the side or back, or if you experience fever and severe vomiting, you should seek medical attention immediately."

If acute pancreatitis is detected early and treated with fasting and intravenous fluids, most patients recover. However, if left untreated, it can lead to fatal complications such as necrotizing pancreatitis, where pancreatic cells die, or multiple organ failure. It can also develop into secondary diseases such as chronic pancreatitis or diabetes, making prompt intervention especially important.

However, there is still no established evidence that GLP-1 injections as a class of drugs significantly increase the risk of pancreatitis. In studies tracking patients with a history of pancreatitis, the recurrence rate after medication was about 10%, which is not significantly different from the general recurrence rate. More than half of the recurrence cases were due to factors other than the drug, such as hypertriglyceridemia or alcohol consumption. Therefore, it is not necessary to give up the therapeutic benefits of the medication solely based on a history of pancreatitis, but it is important to check individual risk factors such as hypertriglyceridemia, gallbladder disease, heavy drinking, or smoking before starting treatment.

Professor Lee emphasized, "If you are losing weight too quickly, the dosage should be reduced. It is essential to maintain regular meals that include even small amounts of healthy fats to keep bile flowing smoothly, which is key to preventing gallstones and pancreatitis. If you experience rapid weight loss of more than 1.5 kg per week, persistent loss of appetite, pale (grayish) stools, or discomfort and bloating in the right upper abdomen during treatment, you must consult your physician immediately."

Professor Lee Siyoung, Department of Gastroenterology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital. Kangbuk Samsung Hospital

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.