Using Metformin Correctly Helps Control Diabetes Efficiently

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that causes considerable reduction in body insulin levels, and increase in sugar concentration, especially in the liver and in blood. This in turn upsets the natural balance of body fluids and their functions, and can cause severe complications – even death – if not treated properly. The most common symptoms of the disorder are acute and frequent hunger and thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is usually fatal without lifelong insulin injections, and results from autoimmune destruction of insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is simpler to treat, and can effectively be controlled by proper medication, diet and exercise. In modern medicine, Metformin is usually used as the primary Type 2 diabetes medicine. Metformin reduces glucose levels in the liver, and controls the amount of sugar entering the body through food. Intake of insulin is vital to treat diabetes, and this drug helps the body acclimatize to insulin faster.

The drug has to be ingested in prescribed amounts, and at the right time each day, to be completely effective. In case one dosage of the drug is delayed a lot, it is wiser to wait for the next dosage rather than take two doses at a time. You also need to reduce your alcohol intake when you are on diabetes treatment. Regular exercise is also necessary.

Though Metformin is a very effective anti-diabetes drug, it has some side effects. Simple Metformin side effects include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, general weakness, abdominal discomfort, indigestion and headache. However, there are some more side effects that you need to care more about. The drug can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) at times. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include shakiness and dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, sudden changes in behavior, pale skin, hunger, tingling around the mouth, and clumsy or jerky movements. In this case, it is wise to consult the physician, who will advise you to eat or drink a food or beverage that contains sugar, such as hard candy or fruit juice, or get medical care. Metformin may also cause a serious condition known as lactic acidosis, but this can be avoided by consuming less alcohol. Failure to follow a disciplined lifestyle can cause side effects such as cell damage, but this is very rare.

Certain side effects of Metformin can be avoided by using the latest medical invention in the market – a Metformin chewing gum. The gum can be chewed upon leisurely, and the injected drug is accepted easily by the body as compared to the contents of a pill. However, in case only pills are available, taking them with food reduces the chances of experiencing side effects like vomiting and diarrhea. Even if the side effects do occur, they last shorter than usual and do not recur for extended periods of time.

All in all, this drug is widely recommended by physicians, for all diabetic patients who do not have severe heart, lung or liver disease, and whose alcohol intake is not heavy and regular.

Brian Tyson is the author of this article on Metformin Side Effects. Find more information on Metformin here.