Thursday, September 1, 2011

Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes

By Wriley Baker


What's the difference between Type 1 Diabetes and Type II Diabetes? What is different about Type II Diabetes? Type II Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. With Type 2 Diabetes the body either does not product enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin, which is needed by the body to be able to use glucose for energy. The body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose when we eat food. This is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells, so when glucose builds up in the blood as opposed to going into cells it can lead to diabetes complications.

While Type 1 Diabetes results from the body's failure to produce insulin, and requires the person to inject insulin, Type 2 Diabetes results from insulin resistances. As mentioned before the cells fail to use insulin properly. Type 2 Diabetes is non-insulin dependent whereas Type 1 Diabetes is insulin-dependent. Both types are chronic conditions that usually cannot be cured. Therefore, adequate treatment of diabetes is important along with blood pressure control and lifestyle factors. This includes maintaining a healthy body weight.

There are several classes of medications available for Type 2 Diabetes. Metformin is generally recommended as a first line treatment as there is good evidence that it decreases mortality. Sometiems injections of insulin can be added to oral medication or used alone. A few other classes of medications used to treat type 2 diabetes are sulfonylureas, nonsulfonylurea secretagogues, alpha glucosidase inhibitors, andthiazolidinediones.

With Metformin being highly recommended, it's good to understand exactly how this Type II Diabetes drug works. The drug helps to control the amount of glucose in one's blood. Metformin increases the sensitivity of liver, muscle, fat and other tissues to the uptake and effects of insulin. These actions help to lower the sugar level in the blood. Metformin is the first-line antidiabetic drug of choice for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, in particular, in overweight and obese people and those with normal kidney function that is originally sold as Glucophage. The medication was approved by the FDA in December 1994 and can be used by itself or in addition to another drug.

Like other drugs, Metformin has its possible side effects some of which include stomach pain, decreased appetite and rapid breathing or shortness of breath. Other Metformin side effects include: lightheadedness, fast/slow heartbeat, feeling cold, nausea, vomiting and extreme tiredness. One may or may not experience these symptoms, but Metformin is a well known drug for treating Diabetes Type 2 so consult your doctor on the best medicine plan for you.




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