Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It is a disease that affects more than 20% of the population.
What is metabolic syndrome and what are its health risks?
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of clinical disorders that significantly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes or type 2 diabetes. It is a very common disease that develops in one in five people and increases with age, so we can believe that it affects more than 20% of the population. It is closely linked to obesity, especially abdominal obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle.
What are the causes that lead to the development of metabolic syndrome?
There are genetic factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes in first-degree relatives, gestational diabetes, and the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver, which, if present with other appropriate environmental factors, predispose this disorder to appear. All this, combined with a very sedentary lifestyle and excess weight, especially in the abdominal area, can lead to this series of changes.
In fact, the components of metabolic syndrome are:
- High blood pressure numbers.
- Increased triglycerides.
- A decrease in numbers of HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”).
- High blood sugar levels.
- The upper abdominal circumference in men is 102 cm and in women it is 88 cm.
If, through a medical examination and blood sample, a person shows three or more of these factors, we say he or she has metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of clinical disorders that significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
What symptoms are associated with metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome usually has no symptoms and is itself asymptomatic. What occurs are biochemical and metabolic changes that are not expressed until the diseases reach a very advanced stage. But it is very important that a person who has family risk factors, does not exercise and is overweight, consults his doctor, as the diagnosis is determined very simply.
Who are the people most at risk of contracting it?
Most people with this disease are overweight and obese. It is very rare for a person who is at a suitable weight and exercises regularly to develop metabolic syndrome, although some isolated cases do exist. Only 5% of metabolic syndromes occur in people of normal weight.
How can it be prevented and what is the treatment?
Prevention should take place from childhood and adolescence, by encouraging a good lifestyle: healthy eating habits and regular moderate exercise.
If it is verified through early diagnosis that a person actually suffers from metabolic syndrome, a risk assessment should be performed and, if necessary, treatment will be applied on the basis of reducing the risk of heart disease or other health problems. In cases where this is necessary, medications should be prescribed to treat high blood pressure, diabetes and dyslipidemia.
The main thing is to change your lifestyle:
- keep your Healthy weight.
- Get more done Physical activityYou can start by walking for 30 minutes a day and gradually increase the difficulty and duration of the exercise, always under medical supervision.
- Follow one Healthy dietWith plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, foods rich in fiber, and proper hydration. Intake of saturated and trans fats, sodium (salt), and added sugars should be limited.
- No smoking Or stop doing it. If we are smokers, the probability of success in quitting this habit doubles if we do so with the guidance and supervision of our doctor.
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