People with type 2 diabetes often need medication to help manage their blood sugar. One newer group of drugs, called SGLT2 inhibitors, not only lowers blood sugar but may also help protect other important parts of the body—like the kidneys and lungs.
These surprising benefits could make SGLT2 inhibitors a better option for many patients.
SGLT2 inhibitors work by helping the body get rid of extra sugar through urine. Instead of letting the kidneys take the sugar back into the blood, these drugs push it out of the body. They have been used mainly to lower blood sugar, but scientists are now finding that they may offer much more.
A new study from the University of Hong Kong compared SGLT2 inhibitors with an older type of diabetes medicine called DPP4 inhibitors. DPP4 inhibitors also help control blood sugar but may not offer the same extra health benefits.
The research team, led by Dr. Cheung Ching-lung, studied more than 30,000 people with type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong. They looked at how each type of drug affected the kidneys and lungs.
The results were clear: people who took SGLT2 inhibitors had a much lower chance of developing serious kidney problems, including end-stage kidney disease. This is very important because people with diabetes often have a higher risk of kidney damage.
Even more surprising, the study found that SGLT2 inhibitors also helped protect the lungs. People taking these drugs were less likely to get lung diseases like obstructive airway disease (which makes it hard to breathe) and pneumonia. This is a new and exciting discovery because most people did not know these drugs could help the lungs too.
So how do SGLT2 inhibitors compare with DPP4 inhibitors? Both help lower blood sugar, but SGLT2 inhibitors also seem to protect the kidneys, heart, and lungs. For many patients, especially those at risk for these problems, SGLT2 inhibitors might be a better choice.
Of course, every medication has side effects. People who take SGLT2 inhibitors might get more urinary tract or genital infections. In rare cases, they can develop a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.
That’s why it’s important to talk with a doctor before starting any new medicine. A healthcare provider can help weigh the benefits and risks and decide what’s best for each person.
This new study gives doctors and patients more information about how diabetes drugs can affect overall health—not just blood sugar.
By lowering the risk of kidney failure and lung disease, SGLT2 inhibitors might help people with type 2 diabetes live healthier and longer lives. Researchers still need to learn more about how these benefits happen, but the current results are promising.
If you or someone you care about has type 2 diabetes, now may be a good time to explore different treatment options. A medication that does more than just control sugar levels might be worth considering. Along with other healthy habits, like eating well and getting enough vitamin D, the right treatment can make a big difference.
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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