Obesity is fast becoming the number one health problem in developed and developing countries around the world; this problem is now affecting a large number of children of school entry age. In order to lose those excess pounds, many people resort to surgery whereas other people realize that a healthy diet with regular exercise is a better method. If surgery isn't bad enough, increasing numbers of overweight people start to take weight loss drugs as a fast and relatively inexpensive way to shed excess fat.

These drugs work in a variety of ways but mainly they try to fool the brain into thinking the stomach is full and increase the person's metabolism. The problem arose when it was found that one of the side effects from this type of drug was the increased risk of heart valve disease and of course the drug was quickly withdrawn from use. Since then, newer drugs have been developed and doctors continue to prescribe them although they are still awaiting FDA certification.

You may in fact know someone who has used these pills at some time and has first hand experience of how effective they can be. It is a tempting proposition, to lose weight while still maintaining the same diet; who would say no? As a consequence, drug companies spend millions of dollars in research on weight loss drugs while consumers spend even more buying the pills.

Despite the advances in weight control pills there are still health problems, some of which people are sickness and diarrhea. The harmful side effects have not been eliminated and it is possible that you could still suffer from hallucinations, stroke, tremors and heart attacks. You would need to read the user information for a full list of all the possible side effects.

The best course of action before taking any type of pill is to consult your doctor; here are many factors that could contribute to any problems you experience and these do not necessarily stop when you cease taking the pills. Problems like irritability, tiredness, vomiting, stomach pains and sleep problems are all common effects reported when someone stops taking these weight control pills.

Despite all the bad publicity, weight loss drugs do work but they are more successful if they are used in conjunction with a low calorie diet and regular exercise, preferably using a properly worked out exercise regime. This type of diet requires a balance of the food groups to ensure a proper intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber, almost all of which can be bought at your local supermarket but may require a little preparation.

A person can jog every morning or sign up and workout in a gym but just as a person should consult a doctor before taking medicines, a doctor should also be consulted prior to undertaking any form of exercise. A good exercise plan with the use of weights will help improve the body's ability to burn off the calories and maintain a healthy heart.