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What is metabolic syndrome? -

Metabolic syndrome refers to suffering from at least three (from a list of five) conditions that together significantly increase your health risk.

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What is metabolic syndrome? -

The risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and stroke, as well as other conditions including plaque build-up on the artery wall and organ damage, are increased if you develop metabolic syndrome. 

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What is metabolic syndrome? -

Metabolic syndrome is also sometimes referred to as insulin resistance syndrome, dysmetabolic syndrome, or syndrome X.

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Symptoms of metabolic syndrome -

Many of the disorders that make up the five conditions of metabolic syndrome don't have obvious signs or symptoms, making it difficult to know if you have it.

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Symptoms of metabolic syndrome -

The symptoms of metabolic syndrome will also vary depending on which of the conditions you have. Let's take a look at the five conditions more closely and how they present.

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1. Waist circumference -

It's more common for people with apple-shaped bodies to have metabolic syndrome. Apple shapes carry more weight around their abdomen region. 

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1. Waist circumference -

Apple-shaped people tend to have a wider waist circumference. Having a larger waistline is linked to an increased risk of heart disease compared to having extra weight in other parts of the body.

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1. Waist circumference -

In this regard, "central obesity" is dangerous. Generally, if your waist measures 94 cm (37 inches) or more and you're a man, or 80 cm (31 inches) and you're a woman, you probably need to lose some weight.

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2. High blood pressure -

Elevated blood pressure can damage your heart and blood vessels over time. It can also lead to a waxy substance known as plaque building up inside the arteries.

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2. High blood pressure -

Hypertension occurs when a person has a blood pressure higher than 140/90mmHg. This may be due to genetics, lifestyle, or other diseases. 

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2. High blood pressure -

It's important to keep an eye on your blood pressure with an at-home monitor or regular check-ups with your healthcare provider, as many people have it without knowing.

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3. Blood sugar -

High blood sugar levels don't just raise your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, it also puts you at greater risk of suffering from blood clots.

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3. Blood sugar -

Blood clots cause blood vessel and heart diseases. To test your blood glucose level, you must fast. If your fasting blood glucose is of 100 mg/dL or greater, you have prediabetes.

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3. Blood sugar -

If you measure your fasting blood glucose level and it’s over 125 mg/dL, it's likely that you already have Type 2 diabetes.

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4. Low levels of "good" cholesterol -

Blood cholesterol levels have a significant bearing on heart health. HDL cholesterol, sometimes known as "good" cholesterol, is needed by the body.

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4. Low levels of "good" cholesterol -

"Good" HDL cholesterol can help remove "bad" LDL cholesterol from your blood vessels. This is one number you want to be high when measured, ideally above 60 mg/dL.

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4. Low levels of "good" cholesterol -

HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women indicates low levels of good cholesterol in the blood.

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5. High blood triglycerides -

High triglycerides increase the risk of heart disease as they are a type of fat found in the blood which raises the level of LDL, or bad cholesterol, in the blood.

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5. High blood triglycerides -

Triglyceride levels that are 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or greater are indicative of hypertriglyceridemia. This can lead to extra fat in the liver and puts you at a greater risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

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Causes: Insulin resistance and obesity -

When you have insulin resistance, your body no longer uses insulin effectively. This causes your pancreas to produce higher and higher levels of insulin, which can lead to weight gain around the middle and eventually Type 2 diabetes.

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Symptoms -

Many of these conditions are symptomless but you might be able to tell something is wrong if you suddenly need to urinate frequently (especially at night), have increased thirst, or blurred vision. 

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Symptoms -

Other symptoms include developing darkened skin in your armpits or the back and sides of your neck (acanthosis nigricans) and experiencing fatigue. All listed symptoms are indicative of high blood sugar levels.

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Causes: Unhealthy lifestyle -

Leading a sedentary lifestyle, with a diet high in processed food that contains a lot of saturated fats and sugars, can lead to developing metabolic syndrome.

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Causes: Hormonal imbalance -

Hormones are also suspected to play a role. Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) typically have issues with insulin resistance and hormone imbalances.

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Complications -

The complications of metabolic syndrome include stroke, kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). 

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Complications -

If you develop diabetes as a result of metabolic syndrome, you might experience complications such as eye damage, nerve damage, kidney disease, or the amputation of limbs.

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Treatment: Lifestyle changes -

If you're diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, your doctor will more than likely recommend you make lifestyle changes, starting with your diet. Cooking at home, using whole foods, and following a Mediterranean diet could help.

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Treatment: Exercise -

Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise, of moderate to high intensity, most days of the week will help you to lose extra pounds and reverse the syndrome.

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Treatment: Medication -

Depending on the conditions you have, your doctor may also prescribe you certain medications. These might include cholesterol-reducing medication, blood thinners, blood pressure-reducing medication, or medication for insulin resistance. 

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Prognosis -

Metabolic syndrome can be reversed with a commitment to changing your lifestyle. For those who do reverse the syndrome, however, you may still need to monitor your long-term risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Sources: (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) (Cleveland Clinic) (Web MD) (Healthline) (Better Health Channel)

See also: Unexpected symptoms that could indicate diabetes

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