Diabetes- PCOS and insulin resistance

#insulinresistance #insulin #diabetes #pcos

Insulin resistance causes type 2 diabetes mellitus

What is insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body produces insulin but does not use it effectively. Meaning if anyone has insulin resistance then, his body cannot control blood sugar levels and the person may develop Type 2 diabetes and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). The cause of insulin resistance is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to obesity and a lack of physical activity. Treatment typically includes diet and exercise changes and medications such as metformin.

What is insulin Resistance?

Diabetes and PCOS are a serious health issue affecting many people in today's society. Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes people to have too much sugar in their blood. There are two types of diabetes - type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body does not produce insulin on its own, while type 2 diabetes occurs when your cells have become resistant to the effects of hormone insulin, so more insulin is needed to do the same job as before. This leads to hyperinsulinemic state or insulin resistance. Over time, this can lead to diabetes and PCOS.

PCOS is a disorder that is characterized by ovarian cysts, menstrual irregularities, and signs of androgen excess. PCOS is the most common cause of ovulatory dysfunction in women of reproductive age. Symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, and weight gain.

What is insulin ?

Insulin meaning- a fat-storing hormone that helps regulate sugar levels in the blood. When you eat a meal, your body produces the hormone insulin to help your body digest the food and store the sugars and fats in your body.

Insulin resistance meaning - when cells are resistant to working with insulin, the hormone that takes sugar from the bloodstream into many other parts of the body. This can lead to higher blood sugar levels in diabetics, even if they are taking insulin.

What causes Insulin Resistance?

Insulin resistance is most often caused by weight gain , physical inactivity, diet, and obesity. There is also a genetic predisposition, such as family history, and insulin resistance can be inherited. Other factors such as the environment, thyroid problems, and pancreatic problems may also promote insulin resistance.

What are the Signs and symptoms of Insulin Resistance?

Many people with insulin resistance don't have any symptoms. If they do, the most common is feeling tired all the time, but they may sometimes have these insulin resistance symptoms

1. Increased waist size (> 40 inches in men ; >35 inches in women)

2. Skin tags around neck

3. Swollen ankles

4. Dark skin patches around neck (acanthosis nigricans)

5. Sugar cravings

6. Frequent urination

7. Extreme thirst

8. Acne

9. Excess hair growth

10. Irregular menstrual cycle

Also, these signs can be found in their medical health check up :

1. High blood pressure

2. High triglycerides

3. Low HDL

4. High blood sugar

5. Fatty liver ( increased SGOT/ SGPT)

How is insulin resistance tested?

Insulin resistance can be assessed via a variety of methods, including the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and the euglycemic clamp. The OGTT measures the body's response to a standardized dose of glucose, while the HOMA-IR and clamp measure insulin resistance by calculating how much insulin is needed to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

However in clinical practice, Insulin resistance test are mainly :

1. Fasting insulin test

2. Post prandial insulin test

3. C-peptide test.

These tests can measure both insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity through HOMA-IR and HOMA-B calculations.

What are the Complications of insulin resistance?

There are several complications associated with insulin resistance, including: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. In addition, people who are insulin resistant tend to have a higher risk for developing cancer.

Heart disease is one of the most common. Heart attack, when a blood vessel near or in the heart is blocked, leading to a lack of blood to the heart and a severe heart attack. It is also the leading cause of death.

Other complications include blindness, kidney disease, and nerve disease. The risk of complications increases with the duration of diabetes.

Long term Diabetic complications include:

1. Eye

Diabetic Retinopathy, a process that damages the retina and may cause vision loss.

Macular degeneration, loss of vision due to damage to the macula of the eye.

2. Kidney

Damage to the blood vessels of the kidney.

Kidney failure, when the kidney is no longer able to filter the blood.

Chronic kidney disease, when the kidney has sustained damage and is unable to remove waste products and extra water from the blood.

3. Nerves

Diabetic neuropathy, a nerve disease caused by diabetes, characterized by tingling, numbness, or burning in the hands and feet.

Erectile dysfunction , inability to attain or maintain an erection.

What is the Treatment of Insulin Resistance?

The treatment of insulin resistance involves a multifaceted approach that includes diet, exercise, and medication. Dietary modifications may include reducing intake of carbohydrates and sweets, eating more fiber-rich foods, and increasing intake of healthy fats. Exercise is an important part of managing insulin resistance, and may include both aerobic exercise and strength training. Medications that may be prescribed to treat insulin resistance include metformin and other natural insulin resistance treatment modalities .

How to reverse insulin resistance?

Prevention of insulin resistance is important. If someone has insulin resistance, there are things that they can do to prevent it. The most important thing they can do is to keep their weight in check. People who are overweight are more likely to develop diabetes and PCOD. People who are overweight should try to lose weight. If someone is overweight and has high blood pressure or high cholesterol, they should talk to their doctor about getting their number checked. People who have diabetes should make sure that they get their blood sugar checked every month.

3 simple steps to reduce Insulin Resistance or Sugar in the Blood

1) Exercise. Exercise is an important part of preventing diabetes. People who are overweight or obese should try to lose weight. People who are overweight should try to lose weight. People who are overweight should try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.

2) Eat a diet low in carbohydrates. Eat a diet low in simple and refined carbohydrates.

3) Eat more fiber. Fiber is an important part of preventing diabetes.

Weight loss can help reduce insulin resistance, but is not a cure for type 2 diabetes.

Lifestyle changes: Diet modification and increased physical activity are two effective ways of managing diabetes. People with diabetes can control their blood sugar levels by changing their diet and exercise habits. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends that people with diabetes engage in at least 150 minutes a week of moderate to intense physical activity or 75 minutes a week of moderate physical activity. In addition, people with diabetes can eat a healthy diet. Other: Because diabetes is not curable or preventable, treatment focuses on reducing the risk of complications and maintaining control of blood sugar levels.

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Conclusion: In conclusion, some people have a genetic predisposition to developing insulin resistance while some develop insulin resistance from being overweight or sedentary. Insulin resistance is a health concern for type 2 diabetics, but the proper management of diabetes can help to prevent complications from developing.

In order to minimize the risk of developing insulin resistance, it is important that people with a genetic predisposition to the condition maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly and eating healthy foods.

Dr. Anirban Biswas is a renowned and well-known diabetologist in Delhi NCR. He is one of the topmost specialists in this field as he has been practicing for more than 19 years now. He specializes in improving the quality of life for people with diabetes, by ensuring that they have the right diet, exercise and medication to help them control their blood sugar levels.