What Is Metabolic Syndrome

Are you overweight and feel low and tired most of the time? If yes, then you are in all likelihood suffering from a critical clinical condition called Syndrome X or the Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is no single disease but a set of symptoms triggered by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors that expose the body to the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It affects one in every five people and is hailed as one of the gravest medical concerns of the day. This widely prevalent and multi-factorial disorder is a combination of obesity, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, and is closely associated with the body’s inherent resistance to insulin.

 

Metabolic syndrome topples the body’s biochemistry and accelerates abnormal insulin secretion that exposes the body to risks of cardiovascular disorders, kidney problems and more. When your body becomes resistant to insulin, too much sugar builds up in the blood, setting the stage for other complications to follow. Most people try to lose weight or lower their blood sugar levels without ever understanding that these health problems are entwined with and reinforce each other. Check out the symptoms of this common disorder to know how safe you are and address the many complications that tag along with this disorder. To know more, read on.

Abdominal Obesity
One of the classic metabolic syndrome symptoms is abdominal obesity or a protruded belly. Colloquially classified as “beer belly” or “pot belly”, this symptom occurs when excess visceral fat piles up around the waist and stomach, causing the abdomen to bulge out excessively. Popularly known as “apple shaped”, this “big” change in the body shape rings out as a primary warning sign of metabolic syndrome and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity. Women with a waist size of 35 inches or more and men with a waistline above 40 inches are at great risk of developing metabolic disorder, especially in proportion to their height and weight.

 

Another important indication of metabolic syndrome is resistance to insulin. In this condition the body fails to respond to insulin properly. The overactive pancreas release more insulin in the body but cannot produce enough glucose to utilize the insulin. This instability in the levels of insulin and glucose exposes the body to a greater risk of diabetes. This condition is often marked by excessive thirst, frequent urination and fatigue. People who have metabolic syndrome are predisposed to the risk of diabetes.

 

Hypertension 

Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the key symptoms of metabolic syndrome. If left undiagnosed and untreated, this ‘silent killer’ can pose a fatal challenge to human health. High blood pressure is a serious condition which, if ignored, can lead to cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, congestive heart failure and stroke. Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are often seen as the primary causes behind sudden surge in blood pressure levels.

 

Cholesterol 

High cholesterol is another classic symptom of Metabolic Syndrome that can have damaging effects on the cardiovascular system and trigger heart attack or stroke. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, pancreatic secretion of insulin increases. This condition is called hyperinsulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia stimulates lipid storage and altered lipoproteins which heighten the risks of damage to the cardiovascular system.

 

Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a neuro disorder in which peripheral nerves are damaged. Also known as idiopathic neuropathy, this condition is considered to be another key symptom of metabolic disorder. It’s believed that individual aspects of metabolic syndrome like impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes, hypertension and obesity trigger this nerve problem.