Diabetes, a condition in which the blood sugar level is not properly controlled is known as chronic diabetes. You can have one of the following types:
- Type 1 diabetes: A form of autoimmune diabetes in which the immune system targets and kills cells responsible for producing insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes typically affects children and young adults. This condition requires continuous insulin therapy.
- Type 2 Diabetes: The most prevalent type of diabetes. It occurs when your body is resistant to insulin’s effects or the pancreas can no longer produce sufficient insulin. Type 2 diabetes can often be linked to obesity or physical inactivity. It is manageable with lifestyle modifications (such as exercise and diet) and medications.
- Gestational Diabetes: This form of diabetes is usually diagnosed during pregnancy, and it often resolves once the baby arrives. But, gestational diabetic women are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later on in their lives.
- Juvenile diabetes is a term used to refer to type 1 diabetes among children and teens.
Metformin is one type of diabetes medication. It lowers blood sugar by decreasing sugar production by the liver, and increases insulin sensitivity in muscle cells.