What is the metabolic syndrome? Metabolic syndrome is a growing problem in America. Wikipedia.org that some studies have shown that it affects 25% of the US population. Metabolic syndrome may also be known as metabolic syndrome X, cardiometabolic syndrome, syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, Reaven’s syndrome (named for Gerald Reaven), and CHAOS (in Australia).

 

Metabolic Syndrome Definition

 

What is the metabolic syndrome definition? According to the National Institutes of Health, metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problem, such as diabetes and stroke. The term “metabolic” refers to biochemical processes involved in the body’s normal functioning. Risk factors are traits, conditions, or habits that increase your chance of developing a disease.

 

Metabolic Syndrome Symptoms

 

What are the metabolic syndrome symptoms? Usually there are no outward symptoms of metabolic syndrome, aside from the patient being overweight. In this syndrome metabolic symptoms will not show themselves; certain tests must pick up the symptoms. The tests that usually reveal the syndrome are blood pressure tests, lipid profile tests, and blood glucose tests.

 

Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes

 

What is the metabolic syndrome and diabetes connection? If you have a history of type-2 diabetes in your family, and you are overweight or over 40, you may want to talk to your doctor about testing you for signs of metabolic syndrome. Normally, metabolic syndrome will lead to diabetes eventually. Some people already have diabetes metabolic syndrome. However, by retaining a healthy diet and an exercise regiment of at least 20 minutes a day, this can usually be avoided. Also, the insulin resistance that is known to be an underlying cause to metabolic syndrome can be reversed by a metabolic syndrome diet and exercise regiments.

 

Criteria for Metabolic Syndrome

 

What is the metabolic syndrome diagnosis procedure? There are a several sets of defining criteria for metabolic syndrome. They have been set by organizations such as the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). They each have slightly different criteria. Recently, there has been incorporation between the International Diabetes Federation’s and the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s definitions. In this incorporation, one must meet at least three of the following criteria to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome:

  • Elevated waist circumference (these must be population- and country-specific)
  • Triglycerides 1.7 mmol/L (150 mg/dL) or greater
  • HDL-cholesterol under 1.04 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) in men and 1.29 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) in women
  • BP 130/85 mmHg or greater
  • Fasting glucose 5.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) or greater

 

Related articles: Type2 Diabetes | What is Pre Diabetes? | Diabetes Ketoacidosis | Metabolic Syndrome Disorder | Diabetic Fetus | Insulin Insensitivity | Fatty Liver and Insulin Resistance | Latent Diabetic | Leptin and Metabolic Syndrome | Class R Diabetes | Juvenile Onset Diabetic | Pancreas Transplants | Diabetes Kinds | Insulin Resistance Syndrome | GDM Diabetes | Risk of Diabetes in Pregnancy | Type 2 Diabetes in Pregnancy | NIDDM Diabetes | Pre Metabolic Syndrome |