The risks increase exponentially with each of the four horsemen that an individual possesses among high blood pressure, blood sugar, excess fat and high cholesterol. When you combine them, you must be aggressive in addressing the condition or risk a highly shortened life span.
Metabolic syndrome is hard to define, but one sure sign is a large waist circumference. Diabetics will also have the telltale signs of fatigue, blurry vision and increased thirst and urination.
Obesity and inactivity are the prime causes of metabolic syndrome. Researchers have linked the development of the condition to insulin resistance. While the digestive system normally breaks down food into glucose, those with metabolic syndrome have cells that do not respond normally to insulin. As a result, glucose can’t get into the cells, causing levels to rise in the bloodstream. The body keeps churning out insulin, which eventually burns out the glucose-generating system, resulting in out-of-control levels of glucose and the need for insulin injections.
Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome
While metabolic syndrome can happen at any age, the risk increases with age. Some 40 percent of people older than age 60 suffer from it. Hispanics and Asians have a higher propensity for developing the condition than people of other races.
If you are shaped more like an apple than a pear (i.e., bigger on top than on bottom), then you have a higher likelihood of metabolic syndrome. If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes or had diabetes during pregnancy (called gestational diabetes), then your risk is higher. Similarly, if you’ve had cardiovascular disease, a fatty liver caused by factors other than alcohol use or polycystic ovary syndrome, then your odds of metabolic syndrome increase.
Diagnosing Metabolic Syndrome
A family doctor usually will conduct the first examination in a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. From there, you may be referred to an endocrinologist or a cardiologist if you have diabetes or heart problems that need to be addressed by a specialist.
It is smart to take a family member along for help in recalling family medical information or symptoms. Smart patients prepare for the appointment by writing down symptoms and a list of medications they regularly take. It’s also wise to check in advance if you need to fast before the appointment because a blood test may be administered.
The National Institutes of Health have guidelines to help physicians determine whether a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is in order. The NIH determine a patient with three or more of the following symptoms have metabolic disorder:
1) Large waist – A waistline that measures at least 35 inches in women and 40 inches for men.
2) High triglyceride levels – If your triglyceride level is at least 150 milligrams per deciliter, or if you’re already receiving treatment for high triglycerides, you have this symptom.
3) Reduced HDL cholesterol – If your levels of good cholesterol are less than 40 mg/dL in men and less than 50 mg/dL in women, or if you are receiving treatment for low HDL, then you qualify.
4) High blood pressure – If you are already taking blood pressure medications or have a blood pressure of at least 130/85 mm, then this counts against you on the metabolic condition tally.
5) Elevated fasting blood sugar – If you have blood sugar of at least 100 mg/DL or are already taking medications to regulate blood sugar, then you have this qualification.
Treating Metabolic Syndrome
There are no shortcuts if you are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Serious changes in diet and lifestyle are in order, including increased exercise, cutting back on alcohol, exercising more and generally monitoring your health to avoid the serious consequences that are likely to happen in the future.
Doctors will advise the following:
Change your diet – It’s time to get away from the burgers and chips and focus on healthy nutrition and non-processed foods. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish, and low-fat and fat-free are the watchwords that the metabolic syndrome patient needs to focus on. Foods that contain high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated vegetable oils, lots of sugar and high fats are a must to avoid.
Physical activity – If you don’t use it, you lose it. That’s been true since mankind first left the caves, which means you need to start moving in some fashion. Start with an easy step like taking a walking before or after dinner, then graduate to other things you may like to do that provide exercise. Cycling, golf, short exercise bursts around the house, walking the dog – all qualify as exercise and will help improve health.
Lose weight – Yes, easier said than done, but getting the waist size down is a vital step in easing the metabolic syndrome conditions. Start counting calories and measure it against the burn off from the increased levels of activity from an exercise program. Get a device that will measure your number of daily steps and strive to meet a goal each day. Something as simple as parking a little further in the lot at work or taking the stairs can make a difference.
Medications – Although changes in lifestyle will help, sometimes they are not enough to overcome prior damage that resulted in metabolic syndrome. That’s when medications may be recommended that will help with blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Statins are particularly effective in lowering risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.
While it’s never easy to change, the support and attention to your situation from friends and loved ones can play an important role and provide incentives to stick to the changes needed. The alternatives are further deterioration in conditions and more serious consequences than mixing in the occasional salad in the diet. Take some time to plan a course of action and reduce the risk factors that may lead to increased difficulties.