Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that happen simultaneously and increases your risk of stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include high blood sugar, increased blood pressure, excess fat around the waist, and abnormal triglyceride or cholesterol levels.

If you have one of these conditions or symptoms doesn’t mean that you have metabolic syndrome. It does indicate that you are at a greater risk of serious disease. If you have more than one of these conditions your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease increases significantly.

Metabolic syndrome is becoming more common with almost one-third of U.S. adults dealing with it. If you have metabolic syndrome you need to make aggressive lifestyle changes to delay or prevent the onset of serious health concerns.

Metabolic syndrome doesn’t have obvious symptoms, nor do the associated disorders. The most identifiable sign or symptom is a large waist circumference. If you have high blood sugar, the signs of diabetes to keep in mind are an increase in thirst, urination, blurred vision, and fatigue.

The cause of the metabolic syndrome isn’t known. Many of the key features associated with metabolic syndrome are also associated with “insulin resistance”. Insulin resistance is when the body doesn’t use insulin properly to lower triglyceride and glucose levels. It is thought that genetics and lifestyle factors can cause insulin resistance. Lifestyle factors include a sedentary lifestyle with poor eating habits and poor sleep patterns.

Having high levels of glucose and insulin has been linked to harmful health changes including:

• Damage to the coronary arteries can lead to stroke and heart disease.
• Changes to kidney function and their ability to remove salt which can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
• Increased triglyceride levels can lead to cardiovascular disease.
• Increased risk of blood clots that can block arteries and cause strokes and heart attacks.
• Slowing of insulin production which is the signal of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of stroke and heart disease, complications of the kidneys, eyes, and nerves, and other health problems.
• Increased risk of fatty liver that can cause cirrhosis and liver failure.

A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome requires having three or more of the warning signs or symptoms of the following list:

• A waistline of greater than 40 inches for men and greater than 35 inches for women.
• Having blood pressure that is 130/85 mm HG or greater, or taking medications to treat high blood pressure.
• Having triglyceride levels higher than 150 mg/dl.
• Having a fasting blood glucose level that is greater than 100 mg/dl or taking medications to reduce glucose levels.
• Having high-density lipoprotein levels that are below 40 mg/dl in men of below 50 mg/dl in women.

Talking about weight and eating problems can be uncomfortable. Talking with your doctor about your weight and nutrition can get you on the right path to being more healthy and living longer. If you are worried about your weight or eating habits, talk to your doctor. If you have a sudden weight change, there could a health problem that needs to be addressed.

It is also good to know your numbers, such as your body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides. While you may not understand what all of these are and what they mean, your doctor does and can help you navigate what needs to be done to get them in a place to keep you healthy. OmniLife Wellness is here to help you understand how your weight affects your health. We can get you on the path to a more healthy weight and life. You can visit us at 8380 Warren Pkwy #100, Frisco, TX 75034, and get our services. Contact us now or book an appointment. We serve clients from Frisco TX, Allen TX, Prosper TX, Addison TX, Plano TX, and Colony TX.