International Journal of Innovative Research in Health Science

Insulin resistance is a metabolic disorder whereby the cells of the body become unresponsive to the effect of insulin leading to the inability to take in glucose and to have elevated blood glucose. It is regarded as one of the significant causes of the emergence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Resistance to insulin arises when the body fails to respond adequately to insulin receptors in the muscle, fat, and liver cells which results in high production of insulin by the pancreas to have normal level of sugar in the blood. Unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and genetic predisposition as well as hormonal imbalance are some of the factors leading to insulin resistance. Metabolic disorders have complications that should be avoided by early detection and management. Lifestyle changes such as physical exercise, maintenance of weight and proper diets contribute largely to the enhancement of the insulin sensitivity. It is significant that healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, contribute to the education of patients, screening of patients in an early stage, and patients’ management at risk. The concept of insulin resistance and the risk factors that relate to its occurrence is important to prevent the advancement of type 2 diabetes and improve the overall state of the metabolism.