Sugar is a good slave but a very taxing master. Sugar is one of the main sources of energy or fuel for the body. Now, our body extracts sugar from the meals we have. Sugar can be carbohydrates which is a complex form of this stimulating source or just plain sugar. It is rather interesting to note that our body always keeps a buffer stock of sugar in the liver. This vital storehouse of sugar is called glycogen. This storage of sugar provides ready backup of sugar during exigencies when the body badly needs to look for sugar reinforcements. Mention may be made of some really trying times as too much of physical labor or during long periods of fasting. Further, the body releases the requisite additional quota of sugar via a complex biochemical procedure. This method is known as gluco-neo-genesis. Its simplest meaning is to produce new sugar. What is more, the process changes the glycogen into sugar. So we see how important sugar is for our body. Hypoglycemia happens whenever the body fails to regulate or supply such emergency sugar reinforcements. These problems appear due to malfunctioning of our pancreas. During such times, the natural capacity of the body to produce insulin gets affected. Our body’s blood sugar level is automatically kept under control by insulin. This hormone secreted by the pancreas carries out the job by lowering the blood sugar level the moment it crosses the danger stage. In a normal human being, the pancreas is the sentinel ever on vigil against the attacks of excessive blood sugar. The method is akin to the radiator fan in your car which starts automatically whenever the engine gets heated up beyond the requisite level. Hypoglycemia is intimately connected with the typical metabolic ailment known as Diabetes mellitus. The ailment, diabetes, can definitely be kept under control but cannot be cured by the modern-day medications. It is a medical state that is chronic. In simple words, diabetes or hypoglycemia remains a person’s lifetime mate. Diabetics usually posses high levels of sugar in their blood stream. Incidentally in the good olden days, diabetes was initially identified with ‘sweet urine’ and too much loss of muscles. Such sweet urine is the result of hypoglycemia when the body produces glucose more than its requirement. What is more, the excess glucose gets circulated in the blood. Only when the pancreas is functioning normally can its insulin hormone control the high level of blood sugar. Patients suffering from diabetics (Types 1 and 2) complain of hypoglycemia. A person suffering from hypoglycemia generally encounters problems in controlling the blood sugar level. This again results because that person’s pancreas failed to either produce the sufficient quantity of insulin or totally failed to produce any insulin. The consequence is hyperglycemia. There are many causes of hypoglycemia. Diabetics undergoing long periods of fasting can have hypoglycemia. This happens because their levels of insulin circulate fast. And, the fasting phase suddenly brings down this high circulating level. Moreover, certain drugs can also trigger off hypoglycemia. Even those persons who have inbuilt resistance to insulin may complain of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be caused also by certain tumors which produce insulin. Such tumors are called insulinomas.
Type 1 Diabetes Control
The proposed gum would be for type 2 diabetes, and would be for patients who are not insulin dependant. The gum would deliver metformin to the patient through the lining of their mouth. Metformin is a traditionally used medication for diabetes. Generex, a biotechnology company, expects this type of delivery (buccal) to help overcome certain side effects of taking metformin orally.
The two companies announced their plans in early June of 2006. Generex has been a market leader for drug delivery, and Fertin has developed many other gums. Their partnership offers lots of hope for diabetics currently on medication.
Metformin is currently taken as a pill. It can be associated with nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, among others side effects. The idea of having metformin absorbed into the mouth is that it would prevent or minimize these effects.
When a drug is absorbed through a person's mouth, it is called a buccal delivery because it enters via the buccal mucosa. Generex has worked with buccal delivery successfully for other drugs. Generex has developed a type of insulin for insulin dependent diabetics that is sprayed into the mouth.
Metformin is a glucose-reducing drug. It is part of the biguanides family of drugs, which reduces glucose production in the liver. One of the brand names of metformin currently is Glucophage. Metformin also makes muscle tissue more receptive to insulin.
Currently, some of the side effects of metformin (which include vomiting or diarrhea) can be prevented when the medication is taken with food. With chewing a gum instead of taking a pill, scientists hope that the delivery will be more efficient and easier to deliver, which will prevent these gastro-intestinal side effects.
Metformin, and other medications for non-insulin dependent diabetics, is an important part of blood sugar control. It helps a person with diabetes cope with his/her blood sugar, which in turn prevents many of the complications associated with diabetes. This proposed drug will offer diabetics more choice and will help them find the ideal treatment process. We look forward to hearing more news on these developments!
Both Nilutpal Gogoi & Vivian L. Brennan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Nilutpal Gogoi has sinced written about articles on various topics from Memory Loss, Recreation and Sports and Build Muscle. Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published more than 1000 articles and a popular adventure book for childre. Nilutpal Gogoi's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.
Vivian L. Brennan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Diabetes Treatment, Yoga Practice and Personal Finance. Vivian Brennan is the editor of . To learn more about diabetes med. Vivian L. Brennan's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.
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