Insulin resistance is a reduced susceptibility of insulin-sensitive tissues to the action of insulin when its level in the blood is sufficient. The term was introduced into medical science in 1992 to refer to metabolic disorders. Since 1999, insulin resistance has been defined, among other things, as a metabolic syndrome.
Insulin resistance is dangerous because it further leads to the development of type XNUMX diabetes. The risk group for insulin resistance includes people who are overweight and have hypertension. Also, the role of a hereditary factor is not excluded.
According to the ICD-10 classification, insulin resistance does not have a code, since it is not a separate disease.
This pathological process will be indicated by a combination of 4 diseases:
Obesity.
CHD.
Type XNUMX diabetes.
Hypertension.
In the unofficial medical lexicon, this combination is called the “deadly quartet”, since the combination of these dangerous diseases entails serious consequences.
Insulin resistance is detected mainly in men aged 30 years and older, although in recent years, cases of diagnosing this syndrome in adolescents have become more frequent. The increase was 6,5%. Doctors associate such a dangerous trend with errors in the diet. The risk of developing insulin resistance increases 5 times in women over 50 years of age.
Insulin resistance is not completely curable, but by bringing it under control, it will be possible to prevent serious health consequences.
Symptoms of Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is dangerous because it practically does not manifest itself. This pathological condition has no specific symptoms. Even if people notice certain symptoms in themselves, they do not take them seriously and do not seek medical help. They regard poor health as a sign of overwork or consider such changes to be an age-related norm.
Symptoms that indicate the development of insulin resistance:
Constant thirst, dry mouth, drinking large amounts of liquid.
Change in taste priorities, desire to eat more sweet foods.
Headache that occurs frequently and for no apparent reason.
Attacks of dizziness.
Irritability, aggression, fatigue. Fatigue persists even after prolonged rest. Mental changes occur due to the fact that the brain suffers from a lack of glucose.
Cardiopalmus.
Tendency to constipation. In this case, the power supply remains unchanged.
Sweating that is worse at night.
Menstrual disorders. In women, the pathology is manifested by oily seborrhea, the appearance of acne vulgaris, hair on the arms, legs and face.
Accumulation of fat around the shoulders and waist (obesity of the abdominal type).
The appearance of red spots on the neck and chest, which are sometimes accompanied by itching. They are not prone to peeling.
In addition to external symptoms, with insulin resistance, changes in the blood picture will be observed, including:
Decreased HDL levels.
An increase in the level of triglycerides above the norm by 1,7 mmol / l.
An increase in LDL above the norm by 3,0 mmol / l.
Detection of protein in urine.
Excess glucose> 5,5 mmol / l on an empty stomach.
Finding several of these symptoms is a reason to seek medical help. Self-treatment of insulin resistance is unacceptable. It is dangerous because it provokes metabolic disorders, leads to changes in the functioning of internal organs.
[Video] Dr. Berg – 28 symptoms of insulin resistance: