#insulin resistance treatment

[diabetes-health-corner]

Causes of Insulin Resistance, Symptoms and Treatment

When the cells do not respond to the insulin produced in the body, glucose from the blood cannot enter the cells and blood glucose levels rise. In this article, we take a look at the reasons for this resistance, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

Read to know more: https://www.freedomfromdiabetes.org/blog/post/causes-of-insulin-resistance-symptoms-and-treatment/2835

[anshulbohre]

PCOS and Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid for Hormonal Balance

PCOS Warriors! Here’s Your Ultimate Food Guide for Hormonal Balance 💪🍏 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age worldwide. It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excessive androgen (male hormone) levels, weight gain, insulin resistance, and ovarian cysts. PCOS can also lead to fertility challenges, metabolic…

[drasmitadongare]

PCOD and PCOS: Causes, Symptoms, Differences, and Treatment

Are you struggling with irregular periods, weight gain, or acne and suspect it might be more than just stress? You could be dealing with PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Disease) or PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), two common hormonal disorders affecting women worldwide. Though often used interchangeably, they’re not the same! This guide cuts through the confusion, giving you clear, updated insights into the causes, symptoms, and how they differ. Discover actionable solutions and treatment options available right here in Pune.

If you’re seeking expert care, look no further than Dr. Asmita Dongare, an experienced gynecologist at Cloverleaf Specialty Clinic and Jupiter Hospital in Baner, offering the best PCOD/PCOS treatment in Wakad, Pune. Let’s analyze PCOD and PCOS to help you regain control of your health and well-being.

Understanding PCOD and PCOS:

PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Disease)

What Happens: Immature eggs form cysts in the ovaries, enlarging them and triggering excess androgen (male hormone) production.

Prevalence: Affects ~33% of women worldwide.

Fertility Impact: 80% of women can conceive with medical guidance.

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

What Happens: A metabolic disorder causing insulin resistance, high androgen levels, and irregular ovulation. Cysts form but remain unruptured, leading to systemic issues like diabetes and heart disease.

Prevalence: Affects 4–20% of women, with severe symptoms

Common Symptoms:

Both conditions share symptoms, but severity varies:

Menstrual Irregularities: Delayed or absent periods.

Hormonal Imbalances: Excess facial/body hair (hirsutism), acne, male-pattern baldness.

Weight Gain: Linked to insulin resistance in PCOS.

Pelvic Discomfort: More common in PCOD.

Causes and Risk Factors:

Genetics: Family history increases risk.

Insulin Resistance: Central to PCOS, worsening androgen production.

Lifestyle: Sedentary habits, processed diets, and stress aggravate both conditions.

How is PCOD and PCOS Diagnosed?

Medical History and Symptoms

A gynecologist evaluates menstrual patterns, weight changes, and other symptoms.

Blood Tests

Hormone levels (testosterone, LH, FSH, insulin)

Glucose and lipid profile (to check for insulin resistance and cholesterol levels)

Ultrasound (Pelvic Scan)

Identifies multiple cysts on the ovaries

Checks for ovarian size and abnormalities

Early diagnosis enables timely treatment and reduces health risks.

Treatment and Management:

1. Lifestyle Modifications

Diet: Low glycemic index foods, balanced carbs/proteins.

Exercise: 150 mins/week of moderate activity to improve insulin sensitivity.

Stress Management: Yoga, meditation, or counseling.

2. Medical Interventions

PCOD: Birth control pills to regulate cycles; metformin for insulin resistance.

PCOS: Anti-androgen drugs (e.g., spironolactone), ovulation-inducing medications (e.g., clomiphene).

3. Fertility Support

Ovulation Induction: Letrozole or injectable hormones for PCOS.

IVF: Recommended if other treatments fail.

4. Symptom-Specific Care

Acne/Hair Growth: Topical creams, laser therapy.

Weight Management: Personalized plans with nutritionists.

PCOD, PCOS, and Pregnancy:

PCOD: Women with PCOD often conceive with minimal medical assistance

PCOS: PCOS can pose challenges to conception due to hormonal irregularities. Fertility treatments like ovulation induction or IVF may be recommended.

Why Choose a Specialist?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of PCOD or PCOS, consulting a qualified gynecologist is crucial. Managing these conditions demands expertise. In Pune, areas like Pashan, Aundh, and Wakad have reputable specialists. Dr. Asmita Dongare, a leading gynecologist in Pune with 15+ years of experience, offers tailored care at Cloverleaf Specialty Clinic, Wakad, and Jupiter Hospital Baner. Her approach includes:

Customized diet and exercise plans.

Advanced fertility treatments.

Regular monitoring to prevent complications

Conclusion:

Understanding PCOD and PCOS is the first step toward managing these conditions effectively. With the right lifestyle changes and medical treatment, women can lead a healthy life. If you are facing symptoms or have concerns, consider consulting a specialist. Dr. Asmita Dongare, available at Cloverleaf Specialty Clinic or Jupiter Hospital in Baner, is highly regarded as the Best Gynecologist in Pashan, Aundh, Wakad, and all over Pune and can guide you through your treatment journey.

Taking proactive steps today can improve your health tomorrow. Stay informed, stay healthy, and don’t hesitate to seek expert advice for managing PCOD or PCOS.

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Why Cortisol Clarity Gained So Much Attention in Short Time

Why I recommended “Cortisol Clarity” book to my patients, colleagues & friends as a mental health professional Cortisol Clarity written by Dr Mehmet Yildiz, a cognitive scientist and executive science and technology consultant, has gained significant attention for its ability to simplify the science behind cortisol the “stress hormone” and offer practical strategies for managing its effects on…

[gofitnesspro]

Demystifying PCOD and PCOS: Spotting the Variances

PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Disease) and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) are related conditions, but they have some differences: Definition: PCOD: Primarily refers to the presence of multiple cysts in the ovaries along with irregular menstrual cycles and elevated androgen levels. It may or may not present with symptoms like acne, hirsutism (excessive hair growth), and weight gain. PCOS: Involves a…

[diabetes-health-corner]

10 Ways to Improve Insulin Resistance

The root cause of diabetes is insulin resistance. This basically refers to the body’s resistance to the insulin produced in its own pancreas. When this happens, the insulin in the body cannot perform its function of enabling glucose in the blood to enter the muscle cells and it thus collects in the bloodstream, leading to the most visible sign of diabetes: high blood sugar.

Here are 10 habits to help lower your insulin resistance: https://www.freedomfromdiabetes.org/blog/post/10-ways-to-improve-insulin-resistance/2788

[womenshealthjourney]

PCOS Management with Metformin: Unlocking Benefits and Effective Strategies

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone-related condition that affects numerous aspects of your health and can have implications for your menstrual cycle, fertility, and metabolism. It is often characterized by insulin resistance, where your body does not use insulin effectively, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. This insulin resistance is not only central to the onset and progression of PCOS but also poses long-term health risks. To combat these issues and manage the symptoms of PCOS, one of the most commonly prescribed medications is metformin. Visit: https://bellabeat.com/cycle-symptoms-and-diseases/managing-pcos-with-metformin/

[vamptastic]

it's kinda weird that when you look at health recommendations for various medical conditions associated with fatness it's always 'just lose 10% of your body weight to see a risk reduction' (so like 20-30 pounds for the average overweight or obese person according to the bmi) but then in day to day medicine there's not really a way of like, removing obesity as a diagnosis on your insurance paperwork for example, even if by a certain standard you've lost enough weight to reduce the risk of health conditions that insurance would be concerned about. if you're an average height weighing 300 pounds and lose 30 pounds, which seems to be the amount that's considered reasonable to lose and maintain if you want to like, reduce your cholesterol, you've gone from morbidly obese to morbidly obese.

[fatliberation]

I saw a comment on your blog that says 'the way you eat does not cause diabetes'...are you able to expand on that or provide a source I could read? I've been told by doctors that my pre-diabetes was due to weight gain because I get more hungry on my anti psychotics and I'd like to fact check what they've told me! Thank you so much!

Pre-diabetes was rejected as a diagnosis by the World Health Organization (although it is used by the US and UK) - the correct term for the condition is impaired glucose tolerance. Approximately 2% of people with "pre-diabetes" go on to develop diabetes per year. You heard that right - TWO PERCENT. Most diabetics actually skip the pre-diabetic phase.

There are currently no treatments for pre-diabetes besides intentional weight loss. (Hmm, that's convenient, right?) There has yet to be evidence that losing weight prevents progression from pre-diabetes to T2DM beyond a year. Interestingly, drug companies are trying to persuade the medical world to start treating patients earlier and earlier. They are using the term “pre-diabetes” to sell their drugs (including Wegovy, a weight-loss drug). Surgeons are using it to sell weight loss surgery. Everyone’s a winner, right? Not patients. Especially fat patients.

Check out these articles:

Prediabetes: The epidemic that never was, and shouldn’t be

The war on ‘prediabetes' could be a boon for pharma—but is it good medicine?

Also - I love what Dr. Asher Larmie @fatdoctorUK has to say about T2DM and insulin resistance, so here's one of their threads I pulled from Twitter:

1️⃣ You can't prevent insulin resistance. It's coded in your DNA. It may be impacted by your environment. Studies have shown it has nothing to do with your BMI.

2️⃣ The term "pre-diabetes" is a PR stunt. The correct term is impaired glucose tolerance (or impaired fasting glucose) which is sometimes referred to as intermittent hyperglycemia. It does not predict T2DM. It is best ignored and tested for every 3-5yrs.

3️⃣ there is no evidence that losing weight prevents diabetes. That's because you can't reverse insulin resistance. You can possibly postpone it by 2yrs? Furthermore there is evidence that those who are fat at the time of diagnosis fair much better than those who are thin.

4️⃣ Weight loss does not reverse diabetes in the VAST majority of people. Those that do reverse it are usually thinner with recent onset T2DM and a low A1c. Only a tiny minority can sustain that over 2yrs. Weight loss does not improve A1c levels beyond 2 yrs either.

5️⃣ Weight loss in T2DM does not improve macrovascular or microvascular health outcomes beyond 2 years. In fact, weight loss in diabetics is associated with increased mortality and morbidity (although it is not clear why). Weight cycling is known to impacts A1c levels.

6️⃣ Weight GAIN does NOT increase the risk of cardiovascular OR all causes mortality in diabetics. In fact, one might even go so far as to say that it's better to be fat and diabetic than to be thin and diabetic.

Dr. Larmie cites 18 peer reviewed journal articles (most from the last decade) that are included in their webinar on the subject, linked below.

[medsbase]

Exploring the Dangers of Diabetes and Insulin Resistance Treatments in 2023

Diabetes is one of the rising health problems of the world today. Chances are you already know how detrimental this disease could be in our life. It is the root cause of many complicated health problems such as heart diseases, glaucoma, kidney disorders, stress, and even mental breakdown. Diabetes occurs when the body cannot control blood sugar levels, resulting in two types: type-1 and type-2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes lacks insulin production, while type 2 diabetes struggles with insulin use. High blood sugar levels are the result of an imbalance of insulin, which can result from either condition.

[wellhealthhub]

A Comprehensive Exploration of Diabetes Medication for Weight Loss

Delve into this all-encompassing guide that embarks on an in-depth analysis of the multifarious diabetes medications known to facilitate weight loss. Explore the intricate connection between diabetes and weight management, embark on a journey to unravel the multifaceted role of medications, investigate the profound significance of lifestyle modifications, and gain invaluable insights into the art…

[surinderbhalla]

Breaking Down the Complex Link Between Diabetes and Heart Disease!

Breaking down the complex link between Diabetes and Heart disease. providing valuable insights

Diabetes and heart disease, two of the most prevalent and intertwined health concerns, present formidable challenges to global well-being. Extensive research has unraveled an intricate and complex relationship between diabetes and heart disease. Brace yourself as we embark on a thrilling journey into the depths of the intricate connection between diabetes and heart disease, illuminating the…

[12percentspider]

Info time: Diabetes and related issues [this is long but I highly suggest reading]

Do you ever see something and you go "that doesn't sound right, but I don't know enough about diabetes to dispute it"? Well, I can help you there. I can help you know enough about diabetes to dispute it if need be. Especially because well, there are seemingly a lot of scams going around where people claim to be diabetic [in my experience it's maybe 3 scammers that just remake] and the information is not very correct in most cases. Not to mention this type of scam pisses me off because I am in fact diabetic, and not only are people preying off of others' lack of information about the chronic condition, but it's also trivializing a serious lifelong condition that can be fatal. If you have now or have lost a loved one to diabetes complications, you are already aware of how dangerous it can be as well as how dangerous misinformation is as well.

What is diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic condition related to the endocrine system- the pancreas specifically. However, if complications get serious enough other parts of the body will be affected. In type 2 diabetes, the body's cells have become resistant to insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows cells to use glucose from the blood- your body's energy it needs to function. When someone is 'type 2', the food that person is eating is not able to fuel them, regardless of caloric content. Glucose is commonly called "blood sugar". It's a type of sugar that is processed and then transported via the circulatory system to your cells where it's needed. With type 1 diabetes (which used to be called "juvenile diabetes"), the pancreas does not produce any/enough insulin for some reason or another, generally because of autoimmune or other damage. [For me personally, I was diagnosed as an adult and had to have it confirmed as type 1 due to the presence of autoimmune antibodies, also apparently my pancreas hadn't quite given up at that point.] As we've seen before, insulin allows your body to use the food you are putting into it. As a double whammy, you can have type 1 with resistance, so not only is your body not producing any/enough insulin, what's there can't be used properly. [RIP Spider who has this] So to explain the effects, think about what happens when you're literally starving. Now imagine that's happening no matter how much you eat. Your body may go into starvation mode and store fat. This can be misleading, which when combined with fatphobia has people concluding that "well, you have diabetes because you're fat, duh". Heck, I have/had diabetic relatives who believed that eating too many carbs will automatically cause the condition because that's what everyone is told/assumes. Eventually, you'd starve and your body would start deteriorating as so. HOWEVER because you would have so much glucose that just sits there because it can't be used, your kidneys are going to work overtime to try and correct this- and they can't do it alone. Your liver can also suffer severe damage. That's not to mention a whole host of other complications that can occur.

So what about it? Well, obviously there are treatments. Insulin injections have existed since the 1920s. There are also medications that can help your body actually use the insulin it's being provided, be it naturally or artificially. So yes, people with diabetes are dependent on prescriptions to survive. My grandma lost a sister in childhood due to insulin treatments apparently not being available in the extremely rural area they were living in at the time. More recently, the israeli occupation has banned insulin from being distributed to Palestinians. [Insulin has also been used historically in psychiatric hospitals to force low blood sugar in psychiatric patients, but that's a whole other rabbithole about psychiatric abuse.] There are resources for the US and beyond if you or someone you know and/or love are in dire straits financially and need help with insulin or other diabetes medications/ related medical help. That's only one aspect of treatment, though. Because pain, stress, hormone changes, other medical issues, and plenty of other factors can raise your blood sugar to dangerous levels, other kinds of treatment to manage other factors may be necessary.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get to specifics. So the most common problem you're going to see mentioned is high blood sugar. We've already covered what the effects are, but what is considered high? For the most part, "high" is 200 milligrams per deciliter. My CGM (continuous glucose monitor) lists "high" as anything 181 or higher but stops giving an exact number after 350. This is why I had a good laugh that time I saw a scammer using an image of a meter reading glucose in the 120s- that's good blood sugar. If you're going to get even more specific you want your pre-breakfast blood sugar to be 80-130. So when you see an accompanying image reading in the 500s, that's extremely dangerous. That's "you're in danger of going into a coma" dangerous.

Insulin pricing? How come I'm seeing people saying they need $300? In the US, pricing cap was set to $35 somewhat recently. What this means is that per insulin pen (as far as I've experienced, the above-linked resource post should have links with better clarification) it's $35. Can't be more than that for one pen. How many doses that provides is very up in the air. It absolutely varies from person to person. I have relatives with type 2 that have to inject a dose of very long-acting insulin weekly, one has gone back and forth with daily doses on top of that. I'm type 1 and have to take one dose of long-acting nightly with injections of a short-acting insulin before every meal, with the exact dosage amounts varying per meal. Insulin is measured in units (there's probably an actual mL amount, both of mine are 100 units per mL with a 3mL pen). How many units someone needs is determined with their medical provider (or care team? When I went to 'diabetes education' after diagnosis I was set up with a "care team").

Edited:

["...pharmacies can refuse to split boxes of insulin pens depending on company/store policy. so if someone lost their insulin and needed to get a replacement because insurance wont pay for more, the pharmacy could make them get a full box of three or five pens."]

via: anon ask (thank you much!!!) So it turns out that yes, with $35 being a cap it would very much likely be for EACH pen, with 3 being $105 in this case and 5 being $175.

But at any rate, if someone is in an emergency situation in the US should be able to get an insulin pen for $35 pretty much when they get to a pharmacy [again, from edit: no, not every pharmacy]. Yes, I get that this can be difficult in some situations, but that's outside the concept of insulin prices.

If someone's blood sugar is over 500 though, they almost certainly need a hospital more than they need an insulin pen. Yes, alright, the actual real single mother on twitter who was the source of the profile images/meter images that whatever the current url for vero-og has stolen and been using for months... that was actually months ago and I'm sure she doesn't need to be told to go to the hospital right now. [That said, if you get an ask from someone and the url is a variation off of 'vero-og' that is a confirmed scammer.] And then on top of that, yes, why would you block people that can get you free or discounted insulin? If someone was offering to save your life for free or find you what you need for far less than what you were expecting to spend, why wouldn't you take it? Unless what you're actually after is money.

SO TO RECAP: Insulin does not cost $300, $350, $370, whatever someone is sending you an ask about. In the US, it is federally capped at $35 per pen, with further resources available, as well as further resources being available internationally. If you need help, please be honest about it. I promise there are people who care, you don't have to try and explain yourself- but it absolutely does not cost that much and if it did, there are ways to lower the cost by quite a bit if there aren't resources to make it free. Diabetes is a lifelong chronic condition that is not caused by "being fat" or "eating too much", it is caused by your body not functioning right and your body can starve no matter how much food you eat. Unfortunately, people have been lying on this site for months if not years claiming to have type 1 with an insulin emergency. These people cannot possibly have diabetes, or they would be well aware that they do not need hundreds of dollars to get their insulin. They are counting on you not knowing this so you will donate to them. The 'vero-og' scammer had been harassing someone who donated and threatening them with the intention of bullying more money out of the donor.