American Diabetes Month: Recognizing The Signs of Insulin Resistance

November is American Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness about the chronic disease that affects millions of Americans annually. American Diabetes Month encourages the public to focus on the importance of diabetes prevention, early detection and management.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition marked by high blood sugar levels, with risk factors like poor diet, lack of exercise and genetics all contributing to the development of the condition. The disease presents as Type 1 or Type 2.

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This means the body can’t produce insulin, and people with Type 1 diabetes require daily insulin injections. Symptoms often develop quickly in childhood or the teen years.
• Type 2 diabetes is more common. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body’s cells become resistant to insulin, Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age, but it’s more common in people older than 40. It can go unnoticed for many years and is often diagnosed in adults.

One important component of the diabetes puzzle is insulin resistance, a key risk factor that can develop into Type 2 diabetes if left unaddressed. Read on to learn about the common signs of insulin resistance and discover how to improve your body’s insulin sensitivity with healthy lifestyle changes.

Insulin Resistance in A Nutshell

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows your body’s cells to take in glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and convert it into energy. Insulin resistance causes the cells to not respond effectively to insulin, and as a result, the pancreas works harder to produce more insulin. Over time, this overproduction of insulin can lead to rising blood sugar levels. If left undiagnosed, insulin resistance often progresses to prediabetes and eventually to Type 2 diabetes.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Insulin Resistance

While insulin resistance typically doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms in the beginning, there are some signs that may signal that your body is struggling with insulin regulation. Here are a few common signs and symptoms to watch out for.

• Lack of energy: Feeling persistently tired, even after a good night’s sleep, can be a sign of insulin resistance. Given that insulin resistance affects your cells’ ability to absorb glucose, it makes it harder for your body to get the energy it needs.
• Increased appetite: A high-carb meal can cause a temporary spike in blood sugar, followed by a rapid drop, triggering cravings. If you’re often hungry shortly after eating, it could be a sign of unstable blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance.
• Weight gain (particularly around the midsection): Insulin resistance is often associated with weight gain around the abdomen. Even with a healthy diet and regular exercise, this excess weight can be difficult to get rid of, although GLP-1 medications like Ozempic have shown to be effective in helping those who are insulin resistant lose weight.
• Frequent thirst and urination: These symptoms can indicate high blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance causes the kidneys to work overtime to flush out excess glucose. This results in more trips to the bathroom, and, in turn, increased thirst.
• Darkened skin patches: Darkened skin patches, often found on the neck, armpits, groin or elbows, can be a sign of insulin resistance. These patches are often velvety in texture and may appear due to excess insulin in the bloodstream affecting skin cells.
• High blood pressure and cholesterol levels: If you have elevated blood pressure or cholesterol levels, it may be linked to insulin resistance. High insulin levels often contribute to elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels, making them early warning signs of metabolic syndrome, which are a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

If you recognize any of these symptoms, Midwest Express Clinic offers daily services across more than 50 locations to help you take control of your health.

Risk Factors for Insulin Resistance

Several key factors can increase your risk of insulin resistance, including:

• Family history of diabetes
• Being overweight or obese
• Not getting enough exercise
• Age (risk increases as you age, especially after 45)
• Polycystic ovary syndrome: PCOS is a condition where small sacs of fluid (known as cysts) develop on the ovaries. PCOS can often cause hormonal imbalances that contribute to the development of insulin resistance.

If you think you might be experiencing signs of insulin resistance, visit Midwest Express Clinic to talk to a provider about your symptoms. Your provider may run diagnostic tests, including fasting glucose, HbA1c (a measure of average blood sugar over time), or an insulin level test, to assess your risk and recommend a course of action.

Lifestyle Changes to Help Reverse Insulin Resistance

The good news is that lifestyle changes can improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin.

• Exercise regularly: Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week can help reduce insulin resistance and enhance your overall health. Aim for a mix of aerobic exercise, like walking, swimming or cycling, and resistance training, such as weightlifting.
• Prioritize whole foods: Fill your plate with nutrient-dense, high-fiber foods like vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and healthy fats.
• Cut down on refined carbs and sugars: Limiting your intake of processed carbohydrates and sugary foods can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Studies show that even a modest weight loss of 5% to 10% of your body weight can significantly reverse insulin resistance and prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes.
• Get plenty of sleep: Poor sleep habits can contribute to insulin resistance, so ensure that you are getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you are having trouble getting the right amount of rest each night, consider implementing healthy changes to your nighttime routine, like putting away your devices an hour before bedtime or doing a mindfulness exercise to help you wind down.
• Keep stress under control: Chronic stress can interfere with insulin’s effectiveness. To keep your stress levels under control, consider stress management techniques like meditation, yoga or deep breathing exercises.

Get Top-Tier Insulin Resistance and Diabetes Care at Midwest Express Clinic

By recognizing the signs of insulin resistance and taking proactive steps, you can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and improve your overall well-being. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of insulin resistance, visit Midwest Express Clinic for a thorough evaluation by our experienced urgent care providers. Take the first step toward better health—find a location near you at midwestexpressclinic.com/locations.