Diabetes Medication: Metformin

During the digestive process, much of the food that is eaten is converted into glucose, commonly known as blood sugar. Glucose circulates in the bloodstream and is used as food for the body's cells. But the cells cannot absorb glucose without help. A hormone called insulin, which is produced in the pancreas, must first bind to a cell’s surface. When this occurs, the body’s cells are then able to absorb the glucose, which returns the body’s blood sugar to a normal, healthy level. When your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or when your body isn’t able to properly use the insulin that it does produce, you can develop diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder that affects the body's ability to efficiently use blood glucose. There are two different types of diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce any insulin, so glucose cannot be absorbed to refuel the cells. In Type 2 diabetes, insulin is produced, but it does not work properly and the glucose is not absorbed consistently by the cells. When this happens, it means your body’s cells are starving for food. If left untreated, diabetes increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, or blindness. Wounds may take longer to heal, you may develop skin disorders or foot problems that may even require amputation. The good news is that diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise, and medication. Many medications are used to manage both types of diabetes. Metformin is a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It can be taken as a pill with food. These drugs help insulin work better to control blood sugar in your intestines, liver, and muscles in three ways. First, the drugs stop your digestive system from absorbing as much glucose. When food is broken down in the intestines, only part of the glucose available is absorbed into the blood stream. The second way Metformin works is to stop the liver from producing too much glucose. When glucose production in the liver reaches a more normal rate, there is less excess glucose in the blood stream. The third way occurs in skeletal muscle cells. Cells have trouble absorbing glucose because insulin does not work properly, but the drug works to activate an alternate pathway that allows glucose to come into the cell. This allows your body to properly absorb glucose from the bloodstream. By regulating glucose uptake by the intestines, glucose output by the liver, and glucose absorption by the cells, Metformin is an effective drug for Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a disease where you don’t necessarily feel bad—but bad things can be going on in your body if you let diabetes go untreated. Minimize your risk of diabetes-related complications such as heart or kidney disease, blindness or foot disorders by eating right, not smoking, exercising regularly and making sure to keep taking the medication your doctor prescribed for you.