Metabolic syndrome can increase a person’s risk of getting diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Overview
The person who is affected by this syndrome will first develop the levels of blood sugar, excess fat around the waist, and increase your risk of blood pressure. All these factors contribute to the cause of heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
Having these risk factors doesn’t mean that you are going to get diagnosed with heart diseases and diabetes. But the persons who are affected by these risk factors are more likely to develop these diseases, your physician may confirm the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome by observing these risk factors in your body.
If you are affected by the high blood pressure, excess fat around the waist, high levels of triglyceride, high levels of blood sugar, and low good cholesterol levels are considered as the risk factors, then these will contribute you to the cause of cardiovascular diseases. People who have a medical history of diabetes are more likely to develop this condition.
If you are suffering from any of the above risk factors, then your physician may confirm your diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Once you are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, it will automatically higher your chances of getting diagnosed with heart diseases and type 2 diabetes.
There is no specific treatment designed for metabolic syndrome but your primary care provider may suggest you make some changes to your lifestyle. It will gradually put an end to the risk of heart diseases and type 2 diabetes.
If you are experiencing the above risk factors it is better for you to talk with your physician about what’s going on and they can review with you about your existing medical problems and help you to determine what options are best for you. If you neglect to consult a physician then things will go back to how they were.
What are the indicators of metabolic syndrome?
The most common symptom associated with metabolic syndrome is going to be a large waist circumference. Other signs include
- High levels of blood sugar
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Exhaustiveness
- unable to see clearly
A discussion with your health care provider may help determine which option would be best for you if you are experiencing the above symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
What are the causes of metabolic syndrome?
There can be a variety of metabolic causes that can include and this is very important to keep in mind. Being overweight or obese and physical inactivity are considered as the main causes of metabolic syndrome.
People who are suffering from insulin resistance are more likely to develop this condition. Generally, whatever you eat will be broken down by the digestive system and convert it into sugar. The pancreas produces a hormone called insulin and it will convert the sugar into energy cells as fuel.
People who are suffering from insulin resistance are unable to get insulin and glucose into their body and the person who is suffering from this condition can’t get it easily. It will result in a rise in blood sugar levels.
Have a word with a physician
When a person is experiencing the risk factors then it is advised to have a word with the primary care provider or physician. A discussion with your health care provider may help determine whether the person is suffering from metabolic syndrome or not.
What are the risk factors of metabolic syndrome?
There are a number of well-established risk factors developing this syndrome. The following are the risk factors associated increases your risk of getting diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. These risk factors include
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Certain diseases
Age
As a person grows older, it will increase the risk of getting diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
Ethnicity
Women who belong to the community of Hispanics are more likely to develop this syndrome or increase their risk of getting diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in the United States.
Overweight
It is important for a person to maintain the current weight otherwise they may increase their risk of getting diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. If a person is carrying too much on the abdomen, it will lead to the cause of the metabolic syndrome.
Diabetes
It is also very important for patients who have got underlying diabetes are more likely to develop this condition. A pregnant woman who is diabetic has also the risk of getting diagnosed with this condition. Due to this reason, it is important for the people who are suffering from these risk factors should talk with their physician about what’s going on and they can review with you about your family history and help you to determine what options are suitable for you.
Other diseases
The following are the several diseases that can increase a person’s risk of getting diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. These diseases include
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Polycystic ovary syndrome or sleep apnea
People who are already suffering from the above symptoms should have a word their health care provider and that can help determine which option would be best for the affected one.
What are the complications of this condition?
There are also a variety of complications that can cause frequently serious and chronic diseases. As with any form of the disease, there are always risks of complications that have to be discussed with the healthcare provider or the primary care provider.
Cardiovascular diseases, hardening of the arteries, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, stones in the kidney or damaged kidneys, heart attack, and stroke are the complications associated with the treatment of the metabolic syndrome.
People who are diabetic also suffer from the amputation of limbs, damage to the eyes, damage to the nerves, and kidney disease. These are considered as additional health complications in the people who are suffering from diabetes.
If you are experiencing these complications even after the treatment of metabolic syndrome, then it is advised to talk with your physician about what’s going on and they can review with you about your family history and help you to determine what options are best for you.
How is metabolic syndrome diagnosed?
In order to diagnose this medical condition, your physician will follow the guidelines which are prepared by the medical authorities. Having high triglyceride levels in the body, elevated fasting blood sugar, large waist, reduced good or HDL cholesterol, and high blood pressure or hypertension is the following traits that will be observed by the physician in a patient.
If the patient satisfies any three of the above conditions, then your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.
What are the treatment options available for metabolic syndrome?
There are treatments for metabolic syndrome which can include lifestyle alternations, non-prescription options as well as prescription medications.
Lifestyle Alterations
If you are diagnosed with this condition, then the first thing you can do is making some changes to your lifestyle. Following are the lifestyle changes you should make yourself to manage this syndrome. These healthy lifestyle changes include
Exercise
Doing physical activities like jogging, running, or brisk walking can improve your condition.
Lose weight if you are overweight
It is important for a person to maintain his or her current weight and especially when the person diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. It is better for you to losing seven to ten percent of your body weight and it reduces your risk of getting diagnosed with hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
Maintain a healthy diet
Add green vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and high-fiber whole grains to your diet to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and also it is advised to reduce the intake of sugar, salt, fat, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
Quit smoking
Quitting smoking helps the person to reduce their risk of getting diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases and heart diseases. it is advised to consult a physician or join support groups if you are unable to quit smoking.
Know how to manage stress
Increased levels of stress can damage your mental health. In order to manage stress, it is advised to do the following activities. These activities include
- Exercises
- Meditation
- Yoga
Medications
Metformin is the drug prescribed by the doctor to the patient to manage this syndrome. People who are suffering from high blood glucose levels are advised to take this drug while maintaining a healthy diet and doing exercises and other physical activities.
Riomet, Fortamet, glumetza, and Glucophage are examples of metformin and it is available in all the health stores in the United States. This drug is not approved officially for the prevention of metabolic syndrome. But it has been observed in a study that taking metformin drug can reduce the risk of getting diagnosed with diabetes.
Conclusion
If a person takes the proper measures, prevention is possible for this condition like not gaining too much weight, and maintaining the blood pressure levels normally can reduce your chances of getting diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Regular check-ups also a part of preventing this syndrome. If you are experiencing the risk factors, early symptoms, and complications then it is better for a person to talk with his or her physician about what’s going on and they can review with you about the condition and help to determine what options are suitable for you.
References
- https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/125/5/900
- https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/11/3179.full
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32402590
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32399624
Sirisha B 
Raju Ch