In this article, we’ll be taking a look at a condition called Insulin Resistance – what causes it, what signs and symptoms to look out for and crucially, how this condition is managed.
Insulin Resistance vs Diabetes
When you think of diabetes, you often jump to thinking about insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas and is a key factor in those with diabetes – a condition whereby the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, and therefore glucose (sugar) levels remain too high in the body.
You may be forgiven for wondering what is insulin resistance, and how is it different to diabetes? There are some key differences. In terms of what is insulin resistance in essence, the body’s cells simply don’t respond efficiently enough to the insulin, so it becomes much harder for glucose to be processed correctly.
Often, insulin resistance can develop prior to diabetes, and puts patients at risk of developing diabetes.
However, insulin resistance symptoms and the management of these two related conditions differ. Let’s take a look.
What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body’s cells don’t respond well to the insulin that’s being produced. As a result, glucose – another word for sugar – stays in the bloodstream, rather than moving to the cells across the body where it’s usually used for energy.
If it’s not treated, insulin resistance can lead to a condition called prediabetes, which is often the precursor to type 2 diabetes.
What can initially feel confusing is that people who have already been diagnosed with diabetes can also develop insulin resistance. This can include becoming resistant to the insulin you administer yourself via injection or a pump.
How is it Caused?
There are a number of risk factors when it comes to insulin resistance – and most of these are to do with lifestyle. Being overweight or obese is one of the greatest risk factors. This is because too much fat stored around the liver and pancreas can affect the way in which insulin is used in the body. High cholesterol, or another type of high blood fat named triglycerides can also play a role in causing insulin resistance.
Similarly, insufficient exercise is another factor that’s known to cause insulin resistance.
It’s also slightly more common in older people, and many of those who are diagnosed with insulin resistance also note a family history of the condition.
Interestingly, chronic stress can be a factor in developing insulin resistance, and likewise not getting enough sleep, or only getting poor quality sleep, can often be a cause, too.
Signs of Insulin Resistance
Some of the most common insulin resistance symptoms are ongoing tiredness and fatigue, as well as finding it difficult to concentrate. Many people also find themselves more hungry than usual, even when eating the same amounts as previously.
However, not everyone actually experiences insulin resistance symptoms. Some people only find out that they have it because a test shows that their blood sugar levels are higher than normal, or in the case of people who are already diagnosed with diabetes, their HbA1c levels continue to increase despite ongoing treatment.
Being Vigilant
Patients at high risk of diabetes – for example, people who are very overweight or have a strong family history of the condition- should be vigilant when it comes to checking for signs and symptoms of insulin resistance and diabetes, such as tiredness, hunger and thirst, and passing more urine than normal. Anyone who is concerned should book an appointment with their GP, who can perform a simple blood test to check blood sugar levels.
Management of Insulin Resistance
It’s important to treat insulin resistance promptly, to improve insulin sensitivity and minimise the risk of it leading to type 2 diabetes, which can also leave people at higher risk of developing heart disease.
Unfortunately, it’s not curable, but it’s possible to improve insulin sensitivity with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.
Lifestyle Changes to Treat Insulin Resistance
There are a number of things that can both prevent insulin resistance and help to manage it if it’s already been diagnosed.
First and foremost, losing weight and maintaining a healthy BMI is one of the most important things to help. This reduces the build-up of fat around the pancreas, allowing insulin to be processed more efficiently within the body.
Increasing the amount of exercise you do can also have a really beneficial effect on the management of insulin resistance. It’s also an important way to protect yourself against heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Walking is a great way to get started – it gets the heart rate up and improves blood circulation, and it’s excellent for wellbeing, too.
Giving up smoking is another crucial pathway to better health. As soon as you give up smoking, your circulation and breathing improve, leading to systemic improvements across the body.
Diabetes and Insulin Resistance
For those who already have a diabetes diagnosis, it’s possible to improve insulin sensitivity and manage the condition effectively. If you use insulin to manage your diabetes, having insulin resistance does not mean your body is resistant to the insulin itself or the type of insulin you are using: rather, it means that the body needs more insulin to keep blood glucose levels within target. As a result, you might need higher doses to make up the differences. Medications such as metformin can reduce insulin resistance.
