May 31, 2016 – Diabetes Approach

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Anchor lead:  Metformin is only one part of a strategy to control type 2 diabetes, Elizabeth Tracey reports

Metformin is the drug of choice when it comes to most initial management of type 2 diabetes, a Johns Hopkins study led by Nisa Maruthur has shown, with this study demonstrating that cardiovascular events are reduced with its use.  Yet Maruthur says metformin is not a panacea.

Maruthur: Metformin is not going to fix everything.  Most people with type 2 diabetes will end up on another medication. But there are plenty of people who don’t.  The people who don’t, they’re losing some weight, even five percent can be helpful. I’d recommend that we build up to 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity physical activity.  Ideally I would refer people to a behavioral weight loss program.  The other thing I’d say is lifestyle change is really true change in your life. It’s not making a change for a couple months.  You need to figure out how to make small changes that you can sustain over time. So most of the time I set very small goals.   :30

Maruthur says everyone with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes has the ability to help manage their overall health and reduce their risk of the many complications of the condition, including eye, nerve and kidney function as well as heart attacks and stroke.  At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.