Metformin is a well-known medication used by millions of people with type 2 diabetes to help control their blood sugar. But now, researchers from Stanford University and other institutions have found that this drug may do more than just help with diabetes. It might also protect people from a serious and often overlooked condition called delirium, and even help them live longer.
Delirium is a sudden state of confusion. People with delirium may feel disoriented, struggle to focus, or even forget where they are or what’s happening around them. This condition is especially common in older adults and people who are in the hospital due to illness or surgery. Delirium can lead to longer hospital stays, more complications, and a higher risk of death.
The idea that metformin could help lower the risk of delirium is exciting because it adds to other research showing that this drug may have many uses. Earlier studies have suggested that metformin might help protect the brain from problems like dementia and may even help people live longer.
In the latest study, researchers looked at data from 1,404 patients who had already been part of another study. They wanted to know whether people with type 2 diabetes who took metformin had better outcomes than those who didn’t take the drug. They compared two groups: people with diabetes who were not on metformin, and people with diabetes who were.
The results were clear. The people who had taken metformin had a lower chance of developing delirium. They also had a better chance of surviving over time than those who did not take the drug. This means metformin could be playing a protective role—not just for blood sugar, but for brain health and overall survival.
Still, this doesn’t mean that everyone with type 2 diabetes should automatically start taking metformin for these reasons. Doctors always look at the full picture of a patient’s health before choosing a treatment.
What works well for one person may not be right for another. That’s why it’s important for patients to talk to their healthcare provider before making any changes to their medication.
Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease, but it can often be managed with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications like metformin. Eating healthy, staying active, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and avoiding smoking are all important ways to stay healthy and lower the risk of complications.
This study is a reminder of how valuable medical research can be in helping us understand more about the medications we already use. It also highlights the need for personalized care—choosing the right treatment at the right time, based on each person’s needs.
As we learn more about how metformin works in the body, especially its possible effects on the brain and aging, we may discover new ways to help people stay healthier for longer. For now, the growing list of potential benefits from this common and affordable medication is giving doctors and patients new reasons to look at it with fresh eyes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about bananas and diabetes, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Vitamin D that may reduce dangerous complications in diabetes and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse type 2 diabetes.
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