Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that, when occurring together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is also known as cardiometabolic syndrome, insulin resistance syndrome.
Metabolic risk factors are:
- Abdominal obesity or “having an apple shape”- Visceral fat in the abdominal area is a greater risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- A high triglyceride level (Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood)
- A low HDL („good”) cholesterol level.- This is because it helps remove cholesterol from your arteries. A low HDL cholesterol level raises your risk for heart disease.
- High blood pressure – Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage your heart and lead to plaque buildup.
- High fasting blood sugar – Mildly high blood sugar may be an early sign of diabetes.
Having just one of these conditions is not diagnosed as metabolic syndrome, but it does contribute to your risk of serious disease.You must have at least three metabolic risk factors to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
Other risk factors:
- Age. The risk of metabolic syndrome increases with age. Howewer, in recent years, there has been a greater concern about the presence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents.
- History of diabetes. You’re more likely to have metabolic syndrome if you have a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Smoking
- Other diseases.
- Srtess
Prevention:
It is possible to prevent or delay metabolic syndrome, mainly with lifestyle changes. The optimal management of overweight and obesity starts with a combination of diet, exercise, and behavioral modification.
- Healthy food, healty diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed or deep-fried foods. Eliminate table salt and spices. Don’t smoke!
- Get moving. Get plenty of regular, moderately strenuous physical activity. Doctors often recommend physical therapy for patiens who have weit problems, joint pain, or some spine disease. Sulypont Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic Physical Therapy uses relaxation techniques, manual therapy, massage therapy, and breathing exercises to help obese patients. The therapy also promotes a daily exercise routine to help patients increase their physical activity.
- Schedule regular checkups. Check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels on a regular basis.
photo: sxc.hu