Which condition is characterized by elevated blood sugars and insulin resistance?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by elevated blood sugars and insulin resistance. In this condition, the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone that facilitates the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells for energy. As a result, glucose levels in the blood rise, leading to hyperglycemia. Over time, insulin production may also decline as the pancreas struggles to keep up with the body's demands.

Insulin resistance is a key feature of type 2 diabetes, often associated with obesity, physical inactivity, and genetic factors. This condition can lead to various complications if not managed appropriately, including cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, and kidney problems.

In contrast, type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insufficient insulin production due to the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, rather than insulin resistance. Diabetes insipidus is unrelated to glucose metabolism; it involves a deficiency of the hormone vasopressin, leading to excessive thirst and urination. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and can lead to elevated blood sugars, but it is typically resolved after childbirth and is not defined primarily by chronic insulin resistance like type 2 diabetes.