Metabolic syndrome encompasses a group of conditions that, when they occur together, put a person at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke. Metabolic syndrome is a serious condition that is extremely common in adults and is becoming more common in children as well. However, metabolic syndrome is often preventable and treatable. Effective prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome significantly reduces the risk for developing serious complications, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The group of conditions that occur in metabolic syndrome include having abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Symptoms of metabolic syndrome include hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia. For more information on symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
Risk factors for the develoment of metabolic syndrome include being overweight or obese, having a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and eating a diet that is high in fats and processed carbohydrates. Although many cases of metabolic syndrome are preventable through lifestyle and dietary changes, some people are at risk due to uncontrollable factors that cannot be prevented. These include having a family history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
Making a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome includes completing a full medical evaluation, medical history and physical examination that includes an assessment of weight and waist measurement and a series of blood pressure readings.
Diagnostic testing includes blood tests that measures cholesterol levels. Cholesterol testing primarily measures the total amount of cholesterol and the three components of cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. Another blood test that is performed is a fasting blood glucose test, which will detect hyperglycemia (high levels of sugar in the blood). High levels of glucose can also be quickly detected with a random blood glucose test or an urinanalysis performed on urine. Another blood test that may be performed is the glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test, which measures the average overall blood sugar for the past several months.
A comprehensive evaluation also includes compiling and analyzing many factors that impact the risk of developing metabolic syndrome and its complications, such as cardiovascular disease. These include lifestyle, family history, personal history, dietary habits, stress levels, and smoking/drinking habits. Other tests, including blood tests, EKG, and imaging tests, such as heart scans, are also evaluated to assess risk and if any complications of metabolic syndrome are suspected.
It is very possible that a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome can be missed or delayed because some people do not display the typical symptoms. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome can be successfully treated with an individualized treatment plan that best fits the individual case of metabolic syndrome and a person's life style. Treatment generally involves regular medical monitoring, lifestyle and dietary changes, and regular blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol monitoring. Treatment may also include medication for some people who are unable to normalize their blood pressure, blood sugar, and/or cholesterol levels through diet and lifestyle changes. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of metabolic syndrome. ...more »
Metabolic Syndrome: Metabolic syndrome is a common pattern in the body's overall metabolism. Typically, the person will have the four nasty ailments of obesity, hypertension, high lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides), and diabetes. Someone with metabolic syndrome who does not have all four conditions is highly likely to develop the fourth condition. ...more »
Metabolic syndrome includes a group of four conditions: abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Abdominal obesity is generally defined as having a waist measurement of at least 40 includes for men and 35 inches for women.
Insulin resistance is the inability of the body to effectively use the hormone insulin to properly ...more symptoms »
With regular medical care and consistent patient compliance with treatment, metabolic syndrome can often be successfully treated and even reversed.
The most effective metabolic syndrome treatment plan uses a multifaceted approach. Both treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome include achieving and keeping cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, and ...more treatments »
Prompt diagnosis and treatment of metabolic syndrome is vital to preventing serious, even life threatening complications, such as atherosclerosis, heart disease, blood clots, hypertension, myocardial infarction and stroke.
A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome may be overlooked or delayed because there are often no symptoms of many of the conditions until ...more misdiagnosis »
See full list of 28 symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome
See full list of 6 treatments for Metabolic Syndrome
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Possibly curable types of Metabolic Syndrome include:
Rare types of Metabolic Syndrome include:
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Diabetes diagnosis and misdiagnosis (In-Depth Report): Detailed report on diabetes misdiagnoses, rare curable types, and less common diagnostic issues....read full report »
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Metabolic syndrome often undiagnosed: Metabolic syndrome, also known as Syndrome X, is an often overlooked medical condition that causes a cluster of chronic symptoms. There are often...read more »
Heart attacks can be undiagnosed: Although the most severe symptoms of heart attack are hard to miss, there are varying degrees of severity. It is altogether too common...read more »
Heart attacks can be overdiagnosed: Although many people die from heart attacks, there are also many cases where people fear that they have a heart...read more »
Undiagnosed causes of weight gain and obesity: Although obesity may be related to lifestyle issues, there are also a number of medical causes of...read more »
Cluster of diseases with difficult diagnosis issues: There is a well-known list of medical conditions that are all somewhat difficult to diagnose, and all can...read more »
Rare heart condition often undiagnosed: The rare heart condition called long QT syndrome can lead to episodes of palpitations and rapid heartbeat. In rare cases, this undiagnosed condition can...read more »
Heart attack can be over-diagnosed: Although heart attack is often undiagnosed, leading to fatality, it can also be over-diagnosed. People become concerned that a condition is a heart attack, whereas there are various less...read more »
Poorly healing leg rashes a classic sign of chronic disease: Recurring leg rashes, or poorly healing leg rashes, are a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes, particularly of Type 2 diabetes, but also Type 1 diabetes. They can also...read more »
Leg cramps at night a classic sign: The symptom of having leg muscle cramps, particularly at night, is a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes. However, there are also various other causes. See causes of leg...read more »
Blood pressure cuffs misdiagnose hypertension in children: One known misdiagnosis issue with hyperension, arises in relation to the simple equipment used to test blood pressure. The "cuff"...read more »
Over-diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in obese patients: A diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension, is often a misdiagnosis in obese patients. Exertional dyspnea leads...read more »
Obesity-related conditions undiagnosed in children: A variety of conditions are associated with obesity (see obesity), but these tend to be undiagnosed more often in child patients than in adults. Some of the overlooked...read more »
Hypertension misdiagnosis common in children: Hypertension is often misdiagnosed in adults (see misdiagnosis of hypertension), but its misdiagnosis is even more likely in children. Some of the ...read more »
Misdiagnosed weight-related causes of infertility: A woman's weight status can affect her level of fertility. Although obesity or overweight can in themselves reduce fertility, there are other weight...read more »
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The metabolic syndrome, which affects about one-quarter of all adults in the U.S., has emerged as just as strong a contributor to early heart disease as cigarette smoking. The metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome X or insulin resistance syndrome, is a constellation of metabolic risk factors that significantly increases the risk for coronary events. (Source: excerpt from Drop-in Article (2001 National Cholesterol Education Month Kit): NHLBI)
Metabolic Syndrome is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of
Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). This means that Metabolic Syndrome, or a subtype of Metabolic Syndrome,
affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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