The metabolic syndrome

Description

The metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess fat around the waist, and high cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

Metabolic syndrome means having three or more of these conditions. But having even one of the conditions increases the risk of serious disease.

The number of people with the metabolic syndrome is growing. Up to athird of adult AMERICANS have. Changes healthy lifestyle can slow or stop the metabolic syndrome from causing serious health conditions.

Symptoms

A large waist size can point to metabolic syndrome. Also, people with high level of sugar in the blood-you may notice the symptoms of the diadiabetes. These include being more thirsty than usual, urinating more than usual, fatigue and blurred vision.

When to see a doctor

If you have at least one metabolic syndrome condition, such as high blood pressure, ask your health care professional about testing for other conditions that are part of the syndrome.

Causes

The metabolic syndrome is closely linked to overweight or obesity and inactivity.

It has also been associated with a condition called insulin resistance. Usually, the digestive system breaks down the food that Imuch sugar. The pancreas produces the hormone insulin. And insulin helps sugar enter cells to be used as fuel.

In people with insulin resistance, cells don't respond as expected to the insulin. For the sugar, known as glucose cannot enter the cells as easily. As a result, blood sugar levels rise, even though the body is making more insulin to try to decrease sugar in the blood.

Risk factors

The following factors may increase the chances of having metabolic syndrome:

  • Age. The risk of metabolic syndrome increases with age.
  • The ethnic origin. In the united States, persons who are Hispanic appear to be at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
  • Obesity. Carrying too much weight, especially around the stomach, increases the risk of metabolic syndrome.
  • Diabetes. People who had diabetes during pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes, are at higher risk of metabolic syndrome. That is also true of the people that have a family history of type 2 diabetes.
  • Other diseases. Other conditions related to the metabolic syndrome include steatotic liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome and sleep apnea.
  • Diet and exercise. People who eat an unhealthy diet and not doing enough physical activity are at greater risk of metabolic syndrome.

Complications

Having metabolic syndrome may increase the risk of:

  • Type 2 daydiabetes. Do not stay at a healthy weight can lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can cause the blood sugar to rise. Over time, insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes.
  • Heart and blood vessels. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can lead to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. The plaque can narrow and harden the arteries. The narrowing of the arteries can cause a heart attack or a stroke.

Prevention

A healthy lifestyle could prevent the conditions that cause the metabolic syndrome. A healthy lifestyle includes:

  • Arrive at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days.
  • Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains.
  • Limit saturated fat, sugar and salt in the diet.
  • Be at a healthy weight.
  • No smoking.

The metabolic syndrome

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is based on clinical history, family medical history, a physical exam, and blood pressure, and blood tests.

The National Institutes of Health defines the metabolic syndrome as having three or more of the following conditions or from being in the medical management of these conditions:

  • A large waist. This means a waistline that measures at least 35 inches (89 cm) for women and 40 inches (102 centimeters) for men.
  • High level of triglycerides. For this type of fat found in the blood, this means 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), or higher.
  • Under "good" or HDL cholesterol. This means that the levels of less than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) in men and less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women from the high- density lipoprotein cholesterol, also called HDL cholesterol.
  • The high blood pressure. This means 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher.
  • High fasting blood sugar. This means100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or more.

Treatment

Lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise are often the first treatment for the metabolic syndrome. If lifestyle changes are not enough, medications can help control blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Self-care

For people with metabolic syndrome or any of the conditionsplug-ins, which are part of the metabolic syndrome, making changes healthy life style can help to prevent or delay serious health conditions. Learn about the steps you can take.

Regular physical activity

Health experts recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise, as of brisk walking on a daily basis. But you don't have to make the activity all at once. Looking for ways to increase the activity of any opportunity that you present, such as walking instead of driving and use the stairs instead of the elevator.

Weight loss

Lose 3% to 5% of body weight can reduce insulin resistance and reduce the risk of diabetes. It can also reduce the blood pressure. It is important to keep the weight off. A health care professional may be able to help them with ways to lose weight and keep it off, including medications or weight-loss of the surgery.

Healthy diet

Healthy, healthy eating plans, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, also called the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet means eating more:

  • Vegetables.
  • Fruits.
  • High fiber content in whole grains.
  • The lean protein.

Healthy diet plans typically limit:

  • Sugar-sweetened beverages.
  • The consumption of Alcohol.
  • Salt.
  • Sugar.
  • Fats, especially saturated fats and trans fats.
  • Processed foods such as dinners and chips.

Stop smoking

Give up the cigarettes and other tobacco products greatly improves overall health. Ask your health care team to help you stop smoking.

Reduce or manage stress

Physical activity, meditation, yoga and other programs can relieve stress and improve physical and emotional health.

Get enough hours of sleep

Over time, the lack of good sleep can lead to health problems. For adults, 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night is the destination.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your primary healthcare professional. You may be referred to a doctor that specializes in diabetes and the other endocrine disorders, called an endocrinologist. Or you may be referred to a cardiologist who specializes in diseases of the heart.

What you can do

When you make an appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as fasting for a test. Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason of his appointment, and when they began.
  • Key personal information, including to other medical conditions you may have, and the family medical history.
  • All the medications, vitamins, or other supplements andou take, including doses.
  • Questions to ask your health care team.

Have a family member or friend to the appointment, if possible, to help you remember the information they give you.

For the metabolic syndrome, some questions to ask your health care team include:

  • What conditions are causing the metabolic syndrome for me?
  • How can I reduce the risk of other health problems caused by the metabolic syndrome?
  • Will losing weight help my condition? What about exercise?
  • I need other tests?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Ask any other questions you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider may ask you questions about your diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits.

Symptoms and treatment of the Metabolic syndrome