Insulin resistance is a condition in which your cells don't respond well to the hormone insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take in glucose (sugar) from your blood. When your cells are resistant to insulin, they don't take in glucose as well. This can cause your blood sugar levels to rise.
Insulin resistance is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which your body doesn't make or use insulin well. This can cause your blood sugar levels to rise to dangerous levels.
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. These include:
Losing weight if you are overweight or obese
Eating a healthy diet
Exercising regularly
Getting enough sleep
Managing stress
If you have any concerns about insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor.
Here are some symptoms of insulin resistance:
Fatigue
Weight gain
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Increased hunger
Slowed wound healing
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Prediabetes
Type 2 diabetes
If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can test your blood sugar levels and diagnose insulin resistance.
There is no cure for insulin resistance, but there are treatments that can help manage the condition. These treatments include:
Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly
Medications, such as metformin
Surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery
If you have insulin resistance, it is important to work with your doctor to manage the condition. This will help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
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