Metabolic Syndrome Definition
Metabolic syndrome is a group of health disorders that occur simultaneously. The disorders include increased high blood pressure, a build-up of fat in the stomach, as well as elevated levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
A person is said to suffer from metabolic syndrome if they experience at least three out of five conditions, namely hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, high triglycerides, diabetes, and obesity.
When it lasts in the long run, metabolic syndrome can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, the development of metabolic syndrome can be prevented by implementing a healthy lifestyle every day.
Metabolic Syndrome Symptoms
As explained above, metabolic syndrome is a group of disorders that occur simultaneously. Therefore, the symptoms that appear are the symptoms of these five conditions. These symptoms include:
- Stomach bulge
- Often feel thirsty
- Increased frequency of urination
- The body is easily tired
- Headaches
- Aches
- Shortness of breath.
Often a person does not realize that he or she already has metabolic syndrome, because the symptoms do not appear or are considered something common.
Beware of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and high triglycerides with regular control of the doctor, so that each disease can be detected early.
Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors
Factors that increase a person with metabolic syndrome include:
Age.
The metabolic syndrome risk increases with the age of a person. The syndrome is more common in 40 percent of population above the age of 60.
Another disease.
The metabolic syndrome risk will also be higher if you have had heart disease, non-alco**holic fatty liver disease, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Diabetes.
You will have a metabolic syndrome risk if during pregnancy you have diabetes. This condition can also occur because it has a type 2 diabetes family history.
Metabolic Syndrome Causes
Things like unhealthy lifestyles, lack of exercise or physical activity often blamed as the cause of the appearance of metabolic syndrome. In fact, metabolic syndrome is also associated with the condition of insulin resistance. Usually, the digestive system can break down the food you eat into sugar (glucose). Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps sugars absorbed by your body’s cells to be used as energy.
Those with insulin resistance, their cells cannot respond normally to insulin, and glucose cannot be absorbed by cells easily. As a result, glucose levels in the blood will increase even though the body has produced a lot of insulin. Ultimately, this can lead to diabetes, so the body cannot make enough insulin to regulate blood glucose in a normal range.
Metabolic Syndrome Diagnosis
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a person is said to have metabolic syndrome when having at least three of the following conditions:
- Fasting blood sugar ≥ 100 mg/dL, or taking diabetes medication
- Blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg, or taking medication to lower blood pressure
- Triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL or taking medications to lower triglycerides
- HDL Cholesterol
- Waist circumference ≥ 90 cm (male) or ≥ 80 cm (female)
So to know whether or not there is metabolic syndrome, at least one should do some examination. Starting from blood pressure check, waist circumference measurement, and laboratory examination to see fasting blood sugar levels, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol.
Metabolic Syndrome Treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are my treatment options for metabolic syndrome?
In the treatment of metabolic syndrome, effort and perseverance are required. Some of the life changes needed to help overcome the metabolic syndrome are:
- Lose weight.
- Dietary changes to lower cholesterol include consuming unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats.
- Reduce salt consumption.
- Light exercise every day, a quick walk for 30 minutes or a 15-minute run can provide important health benefits.
- Doctors may prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs, other medications such as statins (lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin).
