Metabolic Syndrome Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Metabolic syndrome is a condition where there are disturbances in blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and obesity in one individual. People with metabolic syndrome are prone to coronary heart disease, stroke and other blood vessel disorders.
This condition is not classified as a contagious disease. Metabolic syndrome can happen to anyone, from children to adults. However, this condition is more often experienced by people who are elderly.
Metabolic Syndrome Symptoms
Most cases of metabolic syndrome do not show any symptoms. Often this disease is only known after the sufferer checks blood pressure and laboratory tests.
When there are symptoms, the symptoms that are generally found are:
- Stomach looks distended
- Chest pain comes and goes
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Irregular snoring sleep
- Lots of fine hairs all over the body
- The skin on the back neck is black
- There is a buildup of fat in the eyelids
Metabolic Syndrome Reason
The main trigger of metabolic syndrome is an unhealthy lifestyle, including:
- Eat foods that are high in carbohydrates, high in fat, and low in fiber
- Rarely do physical activity
- Frequent exposure to cigarette smoke
- Long term stress
In addition, people who have family members who have experienced metabolic syndrome will be more susceptible to experiencing the disease too.
Diagnosis
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a person is said to have metabolic syndrome if he has at least three of the following conditions:
- Fasting blood sugar ≥100 mg/dL or taking diabetes medication
- Blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg or taking medication to lower blood pressure
- Triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL or taking medication to lower triglycerides
- Kolesterol HDL
- Waist circumference ≥90 cm (men) or ≥80 cm (women)
So to find out whether there is metabolic syndrome, at least someone has to do some tests. Starting from checking blood pressure, measuring waist circumference, and laboratory tests to see levels of fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol.
Metabolic Syndrome Treatment
The treatment of metabolic syndrome consists of two main things, namely making lifestyle changes and taking medication.
The recommended lifestyle is:
- Eat high-fiber foods
- Limit consumption of fat (maximum 10 percent of the amount of food consumed in a day)
- Do not consume sugary drinks at all
- Physical exercise (jogging, cycling, swimming) at least 5 times a week, for at least 30 minutes each time
- Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
Treatment of diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol disorders must also be carried out under the supervision of a doctor to ensure that diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol disorders are well controlled.
Prevention
Metabolic syndrome can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle (see treatment section).