Insulin resistance: Overview
Insulin resistance means that the body can't use insulin as it should. Insulin lets sugar (glucose) enter the body's cells, where it is used for energy. It also helps muscles, fat, and liver cells store sugar to be released when needed. If the body tissues don't respond to insulin right, the blood sugar level rises.
Insulin resistance mainly is caused by obesity. But other medical conditions, such as acromegaly and Cushing's syndrome, also can cause it. It can run in families too.
Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is a condition in which body cells do not fully respond to the action of insulin, a hormone that controls the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. As a result, blood sugar levels become abnormally high.
Over time, insulin resistance can result in consistently high blood sugar levels, which increases a person's risk for type 2 diabetes. Pregnant women who are insulin resistant have an increased risk for gestational diabetes.
Usually, insulin resistance develops in people who are overweight and not physically active. These characteristics are often associated with having high cholesterol and high blood pressure. People who are insulin resistant have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, especially if other risk factors, such as being a smoker or having high cholesterol levels, are present.
How can you care for yourself when you have insulin resistance?
- Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
- Make healthy food choices.
- Get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Exercise helps control your blood sugar. It also helps you stay at a healthy weight. Walking is a good choice. You also may want to do other activities, such as running, swimming, cycling, or playing tennis or team sports.
- Try to lose weight. Losing even a small amount of weight can help.
- Do not smoke. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
What is insulin resistance?
Insulin resistance refers to the inability of the body tissues to respond properly to insulin. Insulin lets sugar (glucose) enter the body's cells, where it is used for energy. Insulin also helps muscles, fat, and liver cells store sugar to be released when it is needed. If the body tissues do not respond properly to insulin, the blood sugar level rises.
Insulin resistance causes the pancreas to release too much insulin (hyperinsulinemia). It may also cause the liver to release too much sugar into the blood.
Several things may increase insulin resistance, including:
- Family history. Insulin resistance may run in families.
- Being overweight. The more a person weighs, the more insulin his or her pancreas makes and the less the person's body cells respond to insulin. People who are overweight mostly in the upper body have greater insulin resistance and have the greatest risk for type 2 diabetes.
- Lack of exercise. People who get little or no exercise often have much greater insulin resistance than people who exercise on a regular basis.
- Age. Teens and older adults usually have greater insulin resistance. Teens have greater insulin resistance because of growth hormones.
- Pregnancy. In the last 3 to 4 months of pregnancy (third trimester), insulin resistance is increased. A woman who did not have diabetes before pregnancy can develop a type called gestational diabetes.
- Some medicines such as glucocorticoids (for example, prednisone) can reduce the body's response to insulin.
Insulin resistance: When to call
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your blood sugar stays outside the level your doctor set for you.
- You have any problems.
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