Metabolic syndrome is known by a number of other names, including Syndrome x, insulin resistance syndrome and dysmetabolic syndrome. Recent statistics in the United States suggest that up to 20% of the population may have it. The incidence of the syndrome increases with advancing age, with more than 40% of those over 60 affected by it. Metabolic syndrome represents a collection of health risks that increase the probability of developing heart disease, stroke or diabetes. A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome may be made if you three of the following signs. 1. A waistline over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women. 2. Blood pressure over 130/85 3. Fasting blood sugar over 100 mg/dl 4. High density lipoprotein level or HDL of less that 40 mg/dl in men and less than 50 mg/dl in women. 5. Triglyuceride level over 150 mg/dl
Causes of Metabolic Syndrome
The exact cause of metabolic syndrome is unknown. It is probably caused by a combination of your genetic makeup and lifestyle choices. These include the types of food you eat and your level of physical activity. If you have metabolic syndrome, your body undergoes a complex array of biochemical changes. The sequence begins when insulin, a hormone excreted from your pancreas, loses its ability to make your body's cells absorb glucose. Under normal conditions, glucose or sugar in the blood must have insulin present in order to gain entry into the cells. As the cells become resistant to the insulin, glucose levels remain high after you eat. Your pancreas, sensing a high glucose level in your blood, continues to excrete insulin. Loss of insulin production may be genetic or secondary to high fat levels with fatty deposits in the pancreas. Over time, these changes lead to the development of one or more associated medical conditions.
Signs and Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome
There are no specific symptoms associated with the onset of metabolic syndrome. Over time, however, many disease states may gradually develop. Chronically elevated insulin levels and glucose levels are associated with the development of vascular disease. The kidneys become impaired which can further aggravate the vascular disease by producing high blood pressure. Similarly, the Triglyuceride levels increase. This is another factor that can accelerate disease affected the blood vessels. Due to the vascular damage, there is an increased risk of developing blood clots. Last, as insulin production slows, it can be a harbinger of type 2 diabetes developing. This can lead to an increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke and may damage your eyes, nerves or kidneys
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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