Common Diabetes Medication Shown to Fight Cancer

Common Diabetes Medication Shown to Fight Cancer

A widely used diabetes medication, metformin, may inhibit or prevent the growth of cancer cells. Interest in metformin’s possible cancer –fighting properties first arose in 2005, when British researchers noticed that diabetics taking the diabetes drug had a 40% lower cancer risk. Several follow-up studies made the same finding, with the risk reduction ranging from 30 to 70 percent depending on the type of cancer.

 

A recent study conducted at the National Cancer Institute found that mice given oral metaformin developed between 40 and 50 percent fewer tumors when exposed to a common carcinogen in cigarettes, while mice injected with the anti-diabetic medication had 72 percent fewer tumors.

 

Metformin (or generic metformin hydrochloride), is marketed as Glucophage.  Glucophage is an oral diabetes drug used to control blood sugar (glucose) in type 2 diabetes patients who can not control their blood glucose levels with diet and exercise alone.  It works by reducing the amount of glucose made by the liver, and by making it easier for glucose to enter body tissue.

]]>

 

Metformin appears to act against a broad spectrum of cancers. Unlike chemotherapy or radiation, metformin doesn’t poison or burn cancer cells. It’s believed the diabetes medication fights cancer by targeting a tumor’s stem cells and preventing their regeneration in the early stages of the disease. It’s been shown to activate an enzyme that inhibits a protein regulating cell growth in tumors.

 

“The findings represent an unexpected and exciting lead”, says Dr. Michael Pollak, a Canadian professor of oncology at Montreal’s McGill University, “Here we have an old drug, a safe drug, that may have an unexpected use in cancer prevention and cancer treatment.”

 

The evidence is convincing enough that researchers are recommending type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes patients consider using metformin before other diabetes medication because of its additional effects.

 

Metformin is considered a well-tolerated drug with a long history as a diabetic medication. There were over 42 million prescriptions written for metformin and metformin XR (sustained release) the US in 2009. Unlike other diabetes drugs, it does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if used alone, and is the only diabetes medicine known to prevent cardiovascular complications of diabetes.

More Diabetes Medication Articles

Some common causes of diabetic coma

Some common causes of diabetic coma

Diabetic coma is a reversible form of coma found in people with diabetes mellitus. It is a medical emergency. In most medical contexts, the term diabetic coma refers to the diagnostically dilemma posed when a physician is confronted with an unconscious patient about whom nothing is known except that he has diabetes.

A diabetic coma is a condition in which a person with diabetes lapses into a coma due to complications relating to diabetes. In most cases, low blood sugar is the primary reason why an otherwise health patient might lapse into a coma as a result of diabetes. However, other conditions, such as ketoacidosis (kEt-O-as-i-’dO-sis) or nonketotic hyperosmolar (non-kE-’tät-ik hahy-per os-moh-ler) coma occur. One should always use blood glucose test meter for knowing blood sugar levels. Because diabetics are frequently at risk for lapsing into an unconscious state, such as a coma, it is important for diabetics to tell their loved ones about their condition. Many diabetics will also have an emergency diabetes test kit on hand so that they can be quickly revived in the event that they lapse into a coma due to low blood sugar levels.

Here are some common causes of diabetic coma:

Hypoglycemia (hahy-poh-glahy-see-mee-uh)

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels, especially effects Type 1 diabetics that take insulin syringes in order to control their blood sugar levels. In most cases, one can avoid falling into a low blood sugar coma by simply drinking juice or eating diabetic diet foods with carbohydrates at the first sign of low blood sugar levels.

]]>

In most cases, diabetics will have low blood sugar levels during sleep, after heavy drinking, after taking medications, diabetic nutritional supplements, or during intense periods of exercise. In order to revive an unconscious hypoglycemic patient, simply inject diabetic strips the individual with glucose in order to elevate the blood sugar back to a normal level.

Ketoacidosis (kEt-O-as-i-’dO-sis) Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) occurs as a result any combination of high blood sugar levels, dehydration, shock and exhaustion. Coma generally occurs after a diabetic is already showing signs of illness, such as vomiting and hyperventilation.

When a patient has early or middle stages of ketoacidosis, he or she will be flushed and have deep, rapid breaths. Once the person lapses into a coma, the breathing will become shallow, the heart rate will increase and the body will become dehydrated. Treatment for ketoacidosis generally involves an intravenous saline drip that includes potassium and other electrolytes that the body needs in order to restore balance.

Nonketotic Hyperosmolar coma (non-kE-’tät-ik hahy-per os-moh-ler)Nonketotic hypersmolar coma is similar to ketoacidosis coma, but is usually accompanied by lethargy rather than signs of a serious illness (such as vomiting). Generally, the condition involves hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) combined with dehydration. Diabetic should use blood sugar meters for testing blood sugar levels. The condition most often occurs in patients that have Type 2 diabetes.Type 2 diabetics often already have signs of dehydration and lethargy, which may make nonketotic hyperosmolar coma difficult to detect before the onset.

Treatment for Nonketotic hyper molar (non-kE-’tät-ik hahy-per os-moh-ler) coma involves a gradual rehydration of the body combined with insulin medications. Use blood glucose monitors and test for Low Blood Sugar and avoid Diabetic Coma.

Typefreediabetes offers a full line of diabetes supplies, including incontinence diapers; blood sugar meters, lancing devices, portion control plates, glucose tablets, blood glucose monitors, durable diabetes medical equipment, nutritional supplements, automatic blood pressure monitor and many other home health care products and supplies. Typefreediabetes offers quality products at discounted prices on a wide selection of quality name brand equipment and supplies.

Click for Diabetic socks for men and Women’s diabetic socks