Researchers at Stanford University and other institutions have found that metformin, a common drug used for type 2 diabetes, might have benefits beyond just controlling blood sugar.
This new research suggests that metformin may also help lower the risk of delirium and even help people live longer.
Metformin is one of the most widely used medicines for diabetes. But now, it’s being looked at for its possible role in preventing delirium—a condition that causes sudden confusion and trouble staying aware of what’s happening around you. Delirium can happen quickly, especially in hospitals or in older adults, and can be very serious.
The new findings show that people taking metformin were less likely to develop delirium and also had a lower chance of dying compared to those who did not take the drug. This means that metformin may protect the brain and improve survival, not just help with blood sugar.
Earlier research had already shown that metformin could help with other age-related problems, like dementia, and might lower the risk of death. Because of this, metformin is getting more attention from scientists who want to learn more about its full benefits.
In this study, the researchers looked at data from 1,404 patients who had been part of a different project. These people were split into two groups: those who had type 2 diabetes but weren’t using metformin, and those who were using it to manage their condition.
The results clearly showed that those on metformin had fewer cases of delirium and lived longer than those who were not taking it. These results are exciting and show that metformin could have many benefits for people with diabetes.
Still, it’s important to remember that metformin is not right for everyone. People with diabetes should work with their doctor to create a treatment plan that’s best for them. This might include medicine, changes in diet, more physical activity, or all of these.
Managing type 2 diabetes is not easy, and researchers are always looking for better ways to treat it and prevent complications. Making healthy choices like keeping a good weight, exercising often, eating balanced meals, not smoking, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and checking blood sugar regularly can all help.
As doctors learn more about how metformin works, they can use this knowledge to help patients in new ways. The discovery that metformin may prevent delirium shows how important it is to look at the whole person—not just one disease—when planning treatment.
In the future, a mix of lifestyle changes and medicine like metformin may continue to improve the lives of people with diabetes all over the world.
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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