Diabetes medication
Diabetes medication
Diabetes medication (/daɪəˈbiːtiːz ˌmɛdɪˈkeɪʃən/) refers to the various pharmaceutical agents that are used to control the levels of glucose in individuals diagnosed with diabetes.
Etymology
The term "diabetes" is derived from the Greek word diabainein, meaning "to pass through," referring to the excessive amount of urine produced by individuals with the condition. "Medication" comes from the Latin medicatio, meaning "healing."
Types of Diabetes Medication
There are several types of diabetes medication, each working in a different way to control blood glucose levels. These include:
- Insulin: This is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose enter cells. People with type 1 diabetes and some with type 2 diabetes need to take insulin.
- Sulfonylureas: These stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
- Biguanides: The most common biguanide is Metformin. It works by reducing the amount of glucose the liver produces and helps the body use insulin more effectively.
- Thiazolidinediones: These make the body's cells more sensitive to insulin.
- DPP-4 inhibitors: These reduce blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes.
- SGLT2 inhibitors: These prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose into the blood.
Related Terms
- Hyperglycemia: This is a condition characterized by an excessively high level of glucose in the blood.
- Hypoglycemia: This is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood.
- Glycemic control: This refers to the typical levels of blood sugar (glucose) in a person with diabetes.
- Insulin resistance: This is a condition in which the body's cells become resistant to the effects of insulin.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Diabetes medication
- Wikipedia's article - Diabetes medication
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