Insulin resistance happens when muscle, fat, and liver cells don't respond to insulin properly, so they don't use glucose from the blood for energy. This causes the pancreas to release more insulinSo blood sugar levels go up. Insulin problems link to several health issues like obesity, high bad cholesterol, risk of type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance is also called slowing down metabolism.
Symptoms of insulin resistance:
You can't tell if you have insulin resistance just by symptoms. You need some full checkups because you might have other issues like: high blood pressure or high triglyceridesBut if you get some signs you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Those signs are:
- Waist size is more than 35 inches.
- Blood pressure reading 130/80 or higher.
- Fasting glucose level over 100 mg/dL.
- Fasting triglyceride level over 150 mg/dL.
- HDL cholesterol level less than 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women.
- Some skin signs appear.
- There are dark, many spots on the skin.
Causes of insulin resistance:
There are some reasons that can cause insulin resistance, they are:
- Being obese, especially if belly fat builds up.
- Unhealthy lifestyle.
- A diet high in carbohydrates.
- Having gestational diabetes.
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Some health conditions like fatty liver.
- Smoking a lot.
- Having a family history of diabetes.
- The chance of getting it doubles after age 45.
- It happens because of some hormonal disorders.
- It can be a side effect of depression meds or immune deficiency drugs.
- Having some sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
How insulin resistance is diagnosed:
Your doctor will ask some questions and check you to diagnose, for example:
- Knowing your family's medical history.
- Blood pressure check.
- Check blood glucose levels after not eating for 8 hours.
- Oral glucose test.
- Hemoglobin test
How does insulin resistance develop into type 2 diabetes?
When you have insulin resistance, the pancreas releases more insulin to make up for it and keep blood sugar normal. Over time, the pancreas can’t keep up with this. So you need to change your diet and also exercise., and if you don’t do this, your blood sugar will keep rising until you get diabetes. So your doctor should check a few points:
- Fasting plasma glucose test.
- Oral glucose tolerance test.
And if you can't control your blood sugar, the doctor will diagnose you with diabetes.
Treatment and prevention of insulin resistance:
There are some steps that can protect you from insulin resistance, which are:
1- Exercise daily for 30 minutes.
2- Maintain a healthy weight.
3- Follow a healthy diet, focusing on eating vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
Complications of insulin resistance:
If insulin resistance isn't treated, some complications can happen like:
- High blood sugar
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Kidney diseases
- Eye problems
- Cancer
- Alzheimer's disease
