Insulin Resistance Symptoms

Drugs (A-Z) : A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Insulin is an important hormone in the human body as it controls the body cells and their growth. Produced by the beta cells spread over the entire pancreas, insulin travels throughout the body, and helps control sugar and starches collectively called carbohydrates, fats or lipids, and proteins.

Insulin resistance, or simply referred to as IR, is a health condition wherein the effects of insulin on metabolism activities are reduced. This could mean requirement of higher levels of insulin for metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in the body. The IR could be endogenous or resistance within the body’s own insulin, or exogenous that is resistance to insulin given through injection.

There are no real symptoms for insulin resistance. However, people suffering from severe insulin resistance could have dark patches of skin on the back of their neck, or around their neck. These patches are more popularly known as acanthosis nigricans. People with physical inactiveness, gestational diabetes, obesity, genetic reasons, polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) conditions, or a history of cardiovascular diseases could be considered more prone to having insulin resistance. People above 40 years of age should be tested for IR.

IR could be caused by genetic reasons. However, there could be other reasons for it like the metabolic syndrome, stress, obesity, pregnancy, or steroid uses. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of several problems like excess weight, high blood pressure, irregular cholesterol levels, and abnormal levels of triglycerides in the blood.

IR could also lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes. Overt diabetes could be an indication that IR is present in a person. And, if you are suffering from fatty liver, a condition where fat accumulates in the liver, arthrosclerosis, skin lesions, reproductive abnormalities in women, hyperandrogenism, and growth abnormalities, then you are also at a risk of developing insulin resistance.

More Articles :

Pathophysiology Of Insulin In Diabetes

On the onset of a disease or injury, the body undergoes many functional changes. And, understanding these functional changes due to disease or injury is called pathophysiology. In the case of diabetes, insulin production is negatively impacted resulting in the impairment of metabolism of carbohydrates, fats or lipids, and proteins. More..