If you have type 2 diabetes, one of the medications your doctor may recommend to treat the condition is Glucophage, or metformin. When combined with a healthy lifestyle and dietary modifications, Glucophage may be the only prescription medication you need to manage your type 2 diabetes, depending on the severity of your condition. One important dietary change required to manage type 2 diabetes is limiting the amount of refined carbohydrates, such as those found in candy and pastries, in your diet. Therefore, eating sweets when taking Glucophage is likely counterproductive.
Glucophage
Available in liquid, tablet and extended-release tablet formulations, Glucophage is one of several prescription medications doctors use to treat type 2 diabetes. A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes means that your body is unable to control the amount of glucose -- a type of sugar your body uses for energy -- in your blood. Hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, results. Glucophage helps to minimize the occurrence of hyperglycemia by limiting both the amount of glucose your liver produces, as well as the amount of glucose you absorb from the foods you eat. The medication does not block the glucose absorption from food entirely, which makes limiting the amount of some foods, such as sweets, a critical component of any treatment plan for type 2 diabetes.
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
The inability of your body to metabolize the glucose you eat is the primary dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Hyperglycemia may become life-threatening if poorly controlled or untreated. Risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes include a family history of the condition and a sedentary lifestyle. If you are Asian- or African-American, Hispanic or Native American, your risk for developing the disease is greater than if you are white. Being overweight, especially if you tend to carry your weight around your abdomen, increases your risk as well. Additionally, the risk for type 2 diabetes increases as you age, particularly if you are over 45 years old.
Sweets, Glucophage and Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects your body in one of two ways. First, your pancreas may not make enough insulin to control the amount of glucose in your blood. Alternately, your pancreas may produce adequate insulin, but your body does not respond to it. Regardless of the underlying cause of your type 2 diabetes, two of the primary interventions include medications such as Glucophage and restriction or elimination of high-calorie, non-nutritious foods, such as sweets. Restriction of high-sugar foods minimizes spikes in your blood sugar, while Glucophage helps your body manage the carbohydrates and glucose from the more healthy foods you eat.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is a potentially dangerous complication of type 2 diabetes. If you are diabetic, and you indulge in sugary foods, you increase your risk for developing hyperglycemia, regardless of whether or not you are also taking Glucophage. Symptoms of this complication include unintentional weight loss, increased thirst and urination, fatigue and increased hunger. Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to a potentially fatal condition called ketoacidosis. If you are diabetic and notice any symptoms of ketoacidosis, including a fruity smell to your breath, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting or shortness of breath, you should seek emergency medical treatment.
