Symptoms
Alone, the symptoms can cause medical issues. Combined, they can present severe health problems.
Symptoms include:
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Causes
Metabolic syndrome is becoming more and more common in the United States. More than 50 million Americans are estimated to have the condition.
Metabolic syndrome it is associated with many underlying conditions and risk factors. The two most important risk factors are:
- Extra weight around the middle of the body (central obesity ). The body may be described as "apple-shaped."
- Insulin resistance, a metabolism disorder in which the body cannot use insulin effectively. Insulin is needed to help control the amount of sugar in your body.
Researchers are not sure whether the syndrome is due to one single cause. But many experts believe that insulin resistance is the underlying cause. Insulin helps blood sugar (glucose) enter cells. If you have insulin resistance, your body doesn't respond to insulin, and blood ...
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Treatment
The goal of treatment is to reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes or medicines to help reduce your blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and blood sugar.
Smoking should be avoided.
Other Names
Insulin resistance syndrome; Syndrome X
Outlook (Prognosis)
Persons with metabolic syndrome have an increased long-term risk for developing cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Prevention
Preventing (and managing) the condition involves:
- Eating a diet low in fat, with a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products
- Trying to include fish, preferably oily fish, in your diet at least twice a week
- Regular exercise, at least 30 minutes of moderate activity almost every day
- Losing weight so that your body mass index (BMI) is less than 25
- Not smoking
- Managing blood pressure and blood sugar
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Exams and Tests
Tests that may be done to diagnose metabolic syndrome include:
According to the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute metabolic syndrome is present if you have three or more of the following:
- Blood pressure equal to or higher than 130/85 mmHg
- Blood sugar (glucose) equal to or higher than 100 mg/dL
- Large waist circumference (length around the waist):
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References
Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Daniels SR, et al. Diagnosis and Management of the Metabolic Syndrome: An American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement: Executive Summary. Circulation . Oct 2005; 112:2735-2752.
AACE Thyroid Task Force. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for the Evaluation and Treatment of Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism. Endocr Pract . 2002;8 (6).
Lichtenstein AH, Appel LJ, Brands M, et al. Diet and lifestyle recommendations revision 2006: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee. Circulation . 2006; 114:82-96.
Lakka T, Laaksonen DE. Physical activity in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab . 2007; 32(1):76-88.
