Also known as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance is when the body cannot absorb the insulin produced by the pancreas to counteract high blood sugar. It is common in adults over the age of 40, but minority groups and children can still be diagnosed as early as age 10. Left untreated, insulin resistance could lead to type 2 diabetes, a permanent and lifelong condition.

In many instances, insulin resistant diabetes can be controlled by diet and exercise. However, insulin resistance could also lead to a regular prescription drug intake or daily insulin injections.

Causes of Insulin Resistance

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to insulin resistance. These include:

• Being overweight or obese
• Family history of diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Age

Generally speaking, the older you are, the higher risk you have in experiencing insulin resistance. Your body also naturally slows down in responding to sugar as you get older, pushing the pancreas to become less active in producing insulin.

Symptoms of Insulin Resistance

A number of symptoms are associated with insulin resistance. These include:

• Excessive thirst and hunger
• Dry mouth
• Nausea and occasional vomiting
• Frequent trips to the bathroom
• Weak, tired feeling
• Blurred vision
• Numbness or tingling in extremities
• Frequent infections

Once your diagnosis of insulin resistance has been confirmed, there are several changes that you should consider taking in your lifestyle in order to prevent it from advancing into type 2 diabetes. These include, but may not be limited to:

• Healthier eating habits
• Exercising to lose weight
• Testing for blood sugar regularly
• Taking prescription medication to improve your body's response to sugar
• Quitting smoking
• Regular doctor's visits, especially if you need to have hemoglobin A1C test

Above all, your most important goal is to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. By working on the above, this can become an achievable goal.

Treating Insulin Resistance

To treat insulin resistance and prevent it from advancing into type 2 diabetes, a series of lifestyle changes should be implemented.

Eating habits are among the biggest concerns of people with insulin resistance. Here are a few tips to make the adjustment to healthy eating habits less intimidating:

• Plate your meals on a smaller plate to control portions.
• At restaurants, ask for a to-go box before you start eating and set aside half your meal.
• Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before each meal to help you eat less.
• If you are still hungry after a meal, wait 20 minutes-in most cases you won't feel the urge to eat after that.
• Avoid eating in front of the television. Concentrate on meals with no distractions.

Other treatment methods for insulin resistance include prescription drugs that help sensitize your body and make it become more responsive to insulin. Drugs for lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure may also be combined to further aid your body's reaction to insulin.

A doctor's visit should always precede any treatment method you embark on. By following the advice of your health care team, you can live a normal life with insulin resistance. You should also consider including family and support groups as a part of your treatment plan. This way, you are more likely to be successful in managing insulin resistance and preventing it from becoming type 2 diabetes or another serious health condition.