Metformin Side Effects

Each year, millions of people worldwide develop a life-threatening disease called diabetes. Diabetes affects how the body either creates insulin or how the body responses to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and mostly affects adults, especially obese individuals. With type 2 diabetes, the body has insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means that cells in the body do not respond normally to insulin and sugar does not enter the cells to be stored as energy.

A major problem with type 2 diabetes is that many people who have it have no symptoms whatsoever. However, there are some things you should look out for if they occur for a prolonged period of time. They include blurred vision, erectile dysfunction, constant fatigue, increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite and slow healing infections and cuts. If you do have experience a few of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor and schedule an appointment immediately. By waiting, you put yourself at a greater risk to develop serious injuries, many of which can be life threatening.

Once you actually go to the doctor and find out you have type 2 diabetes your next move is to determine how to treat your disease. Whatever your treatment is, the goal is to lower your high blood glucose levels immediately. Long-term goals should help prevent diabetes-related complications so you can continue to live a normal, happy life.

Most likely your doctor is going to set you up with a nutritionist. Proper diet and exercise is vital to lower your glucose levels and get them to a normal level.  It is vital you follow the diet plan given to you so that your body can properly function and so you can start losing weight. Most likely you will be told you will also need to start some sort of exercise program. Normally this includes starting out with a brisk walk everyday.  Eventually, you will most likely need to do some form of intense cardio or sport.

In most cases, you will also receive some medication to help control your diabetes. The most common drug to treat diabetes is metformin. Metformin is an oral anti-diabetic drug that tells the liver to produce less glucose. Metformin also helps cells absorb more glucose from the bloodstream, thus lowering blood sugar levels. It is also the only drug clinically proven to prevent cardiovascular complications that are associated with diabetes. You should talk to your doctor to discuss potential metformin side effects. While most people do not experience many side effects when using metformin, some people complain of an upset stomach.

If you have type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor about possibly using metformin. Most of the time it is covered under your insurance plan but if you do not have insurance it is still readily available for you to take. Plus, it is very simple to take and it is most likely the best chance you have to reduce any symptoms and to start living a normal, healthier life.