Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels and hyperglycemia. Metformin is administered alongside a balanced diet, exercise program, and sometimes in combination with other medications, to effectively manage high blood sugar levels.
Metformin is classified as an antihyperglycemic drug because it reduces glucose concentrations in the blood. It is commonly known as an "insulin sensitizer" as it helps decrease insulin resistance, resulting in a significant decrease in fasting insulin levels.
By maintaining optimal blood sugar levels with the help of metformin, complications associated with diabetes such as kidney damage, vision problems, nerve damage, limb amputation, and sexual dysfunction can be prevented.
Furthermore, metformin has been found to reduce the risk of developing dementia, a condition that individuals with type 2 diabetes are susceptible to. Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for the majority of dementia cases (estimated at 60 to 80 percent), is particularly prevalent in this population, as highlighted by the Alzheimer's Association.
Additionally, metformin may aid in managing blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetes, the second most common type of diabetes, especially in individuals who are overweight or obese. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by insufficient or no production of insulin by the pancreas, which is necessary for regulating blood glucose levels.
Metformin for diabetes treatment
