What is Metabolic Syndrome
By: SudbyTotal Views: 618, Word Count: 609,
Metabolic syndrome is today’s popular disorder. Let us focus on what is metabolic syndrome. It is known to be a combination of medical disorders that can lead to development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Nowadays, one out of five people in US have this disorder. It is also known as metabolic syndrome X, cardiometabolic syndrome or syndrome X. It is basically not a disease in itself. It is a group of risk factors which contain high blood sugar, high blood pressure, harmful cholesterol levels and noticeable abdominal fat. When all these conditions come in combined form, it is known as metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is becoming common worldwide. The best thing about this is that it can be controllable with proper planning and change in lifestyle.
Keep in mind that a person with metabolic syndrome has increased risk of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and obesity
Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed by using the following criteria:
· Elevated waist i.e. 40 inches or increased for men and more than 35 inches for women
· Elevated triglycerides level which can be more that 150 mg/dL
· Reduced HDL cholesterol less than 40-50 mg/dL
· Elevated blood pressure which is more than 130/85 mm Hg
· Elevated fasting glucose which is more than 100 mg/dL
Metabolic Syndrome affects more as insulin resistance. As a result of this, extra insulin is produced in the body which can lead to elevated insulin levels. This can progress to type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Causes of Metabolic Syndrome
There are no specific causes of metabolic syndrome yet reveled. It is a combination of risk factors, so it has different causes.
· Insulin resistance: In case of insulin resistance, the insulin doesn't work properly which can lead to rise in the level of glucose leading to diabetes.
· Obesity: According to experts, metabolic syndrome is becoming common because of obesity rates and having extra fat in the belly.
· Unhealthy lifestyle: Unhealthy lifestyle can also take part in metabolic syndrome. Eating foods which are high in fats and not getting enough exercise.
· Hormonal imbalance: Hormonal imbalance like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also lead to metabolic syndrome.
So keep in mind that metabolic syndrome is the time to wake-up and get serious about health.
Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome
Treatment of this syndrome depends on the body’s present condition. If can be recovered by treating different diseases as follows:
Treating the Insulin Resistance
· Basically, there is no drug treatment present that can directly act on insulin resistance. But one can minimize it by maintaining body weight to their "ideal" by incorporating aerobic exercises into their daily lifestyle.
Treating Lipid Abnormalities
· Lipid abnormalities in a person with metabolic syndrome can be treated with weight loss exercise and drug therapy.
· Treatment of this should be aimed to reduce LDL levels followed by reducing triglyceride levels and raising HDL levels.
· Successful drug treatment includes statin, a fibrate or a combination of a statin with niacin or fibrate.
Treating the Clotting Disorder
· Patients with metabolic syndrome can have disorders of coagulation which can lead to clotting of blood within blood vessels.
· These blood clots can develop heart attacks which can be treated by prescribing daily aspirin therapy to prevent clotting events.
Treating Hypertension
High blood pressure is the main part of metabolic syndrome which can be treated by taking medications as recommended by your doctor.
In this way, now we are clear about what is metabolic syndrome and risk factor associated with it.
About the Author
Robert Sudby has practiced as a General Physician in Cleveland for a number of years. He is retired but still likes to share fitness secrets and tips with people. You can benefit from his articles on fitness and general well being.
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